Learn how to make mince pies at home with our simple step by step recipe. It's so easy, even the kids could help out!
This easy mince pies recipe shows you how to make mince pies from scratch – from homemade mincemeat to mince pie pastry, you’ll be a pro once you’re done!
Mince pies are synonymous with Christmas for a reason. Full of festive flavour and wonderful spices such as as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, you get a taste of Christmas in every bite! Learn how to make tasty mince pies with this classic recipe, and perfect your technique in time for Christmas – even Mary Berry would approve!
This recipe makes 12 traditional sized puds topped with pastry stars and will take around 50 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook. The perfect topping to enhance your mince pies is a delicious, smooth homemade brandy butter which we have the best recipe for!
These treats are such a popular Christmas option, have a look to see if it made it on to the list of the most popular Christmas foods, and maybe add a few more of those recipes to your Christmas menu in the meantime!
Ingredients
- 50g (1¾ oz) each of sultanas, raisins and currants
- 1 Bramley apple, cored and coarsely grated
- 50g (1¾ oz) dark muscovado sugar
- 50g (1¾ oz) luxury mixed candied peel, finely chopped
- 25g (1oz) glacé cherries, roughly chopped
- Grated zest of 1 orange
- Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tbsp mixed spice
- 25g (1oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
- 60ml (2½ fl oz) brandy
- 75g (2¾ oz) icing sugar
- 75g (2¾ oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 medium egg yolks
- 200g (7oz) plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- Pinch of salt
- 2tbsp milk
- Caster sugar, for dusting
Method
At least one day ahead, mix together all the mincemeat ingredients, cover and set aside.
To make the pastry, mix sugar, butter and egg yolks in a food processor until smooth. Mix in 2tbsp cold water, then blend in the flour and salt and knead into a ball on a floured surface. Wrap in clingfilm and chill for 15 mins.
Preheat oven to 190C, gas 5). Roll pastry out on to a floured surface. Cut out 12 discs, using a 7cm fluted cutter, and line a 12-hole tin. Combine pastry trimmings into a ball, cover and chill.
Stir the mincemeat, then fill each case with 1tsp mincemeat. Roll out remaining pastry and use a star-shaped cookie cutter to make tops for the pies. Place one on each pie, brush with milk, dust with sugar and bake for 20 mins. Transfer on to wire racks and, once cool, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Top tip for making How to make mince pies
Making them in advance? Freeze on a baking tray then transfer to a sealed container when completely frozen. Reheat from frozen at 200°C (400°F, gas mark 6) for 15 mins.
This mince pies recipe takes a bit of time to prepare and you need to make the mixture the day before - but they're worth every fruity bite.
Homemade mincemeat is so much better than shop-bought, and it's that taste of Christmas that nothing compares to. Make a batch to share over the run up to Christmas, whether you're passing them round at your Christmas party or having them with a glass of mulled wine on Christmas Eve.
As with most home-baked goodies, it's best to store your mince pies in an air-tight container in the fridge. This way they should be good for up to one week.
Now with homemade baked mince pies they are suitable for freezing, and can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure when you want to treat yourself to one you defrost them and reheat thoroughly.
Traditional toppings for mince pies can be anything like custard, brandy, or rum butter. They make the pies extra indulgent and perfect for those with a sweet tooth. You can always simple it down however with something like single, double, or whipped cream, perfect for the little ones who won't be getting any of the adult only toppings!
