This recipe was submitted by one of our readers, just like you.
Best Ever Mini Mince Pies
From the blogger: "Mince pies are part of a traditional British Christmas and they can be part of yours, too! Just thinking about making the first mince pie of the season makes me so happy. These little Christmas mince pies have a rich fruit mince pie filling full of raisins, currants, apples, lemon and orange zest, candied lemon and orange peel, pecans, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The crust is buttery and flaky and the perfect complement to the sweet pie filling. They are SO good and taste like Christmas. I think you’ll love this easy and delicious holiday favorite. They are the perfect size for Christmas Day dessert with family, for a holiday party or anytime Christmas season snacking. "
Yields24 mini pies
Preparation Time20 min
Chilling Time30 min
Cooking Time20 min
Cooking MethodOven
Cooking Vessel Size12 cup mini muffin tin
Ingredients
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup dried currants
- 1 large apple
- zest of one lemon
- zest of one orange
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
- 1 tablespoon candied zest
- vanilla sugar (for sprinkling on the pies before baking)
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 3 cups butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Peel, core and grate apple. Chop nuts.
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Combine all mince ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Set aside.
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Sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
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Cut cold butter into cubes, then rub into flour until small crumbs form.
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Stir in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and egg yolks to make a dough.
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Form dough into a ball, press into a disk shape, then wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350F/175C.
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Roll out dough to 1/8 inch [3mm] thick. Use a cookie or biscuit cutter a little larger than your mini muffin tin to cut rounds out of the dough.
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Press dough into mini muffin tin. Prick the bottom of the dough a couple times with a fork.
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Fill 3/4 full with mince filling (about 3/4 teaspoon).
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Re-roll the dough (thinner than before) and use mini cookie cutters to cut out shapes to place on the tops of your pies. Then, sprinkle vanilla sugar over the top (or use an egg wash).
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Bake at 350F/175C about 18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in airtight container.