Mince Pies
Mince pies are a traditional British Christmas favorite. These are small, sweet pies containing a mixture of currants, dried fruits and candied fruit. Try these sweet pies for any holiday dinner!
8 oz. cold butter , diced
12 oz. all purpose flour
4 oz. confectioner’s sugar
10 oz. mincemeat
1 egg, beaten
Icing sugar for dusting
For the pastry:
Rub the diced butter into the flour till it resembles breadcrumbs. Then mix in the sugar and a pinch of salt. Shape the pastry dough into a ball and knead it for just a little while.
Preheat the oven to 400 deg F. Press walnut sized balls of the pastry dough into the holes of a patty tin. Spoon the mincemeat into each of the pies.
Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, which are large enough to cover the pies. Top each pie with the lid, pressing the edges gently together to seal.
Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Leave to cool for 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack. Dust the pies with icing sugar just before serving.
You can either use the pastry dough immediately or chill it and store it for later use.