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Mince Pies

Traditional British holiday pastry filled with rich, spiced mincemeat inside a crumbly shortcrust shell.

50 minMediumServes 12210 cal/serving

BritishDessertOvenVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp orange juice
  • 1.5 cups sweet mincemeat
  • 2 tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.

  2. 2

    Mix 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a bowl, then rub in 1/2 cup cubed unsalted butter until coarse crumbs form.

  3. 3

    Stir in 3 tbsp orange juice to bring the pastry dough together, then chill for 20 minutes.

  4. 4

    Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut out 12 large rounds and 12 small star tops.

  5. 5

    Press dough rounds into muffin cups, fill each with 1.5 cups sweet mincemeat, and place star tops on top.

  6. 6

    Brush pastry with 2 tbsp milk and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

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Questions

What is Mince Pies?

Traditional British holiday pastry filled with rich, spiced mincemeat inside a crumbly shortcrust shell. This reference files it under British dessert: made in the oven, rated medium and about 50 minutes start to finish.

What temperature do I cook Mince Pies at?

For Mince Pies, the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 1. The longest stretch at that heat is 20 minutes, in step 6.

How do I know when Mince Pies is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 6: cook until golden brown.

Can I skip chilling the dough for Mince Pies?

Step 3 reads: "Stir in 3 tbsp orange juice to bring the pastry dough together, then chill for 20 minutes." Not without a cost. The rest in step 3 firms the fat and relaxes the gluten, so the dough holds its shape and bakes up tender instead of spreading or shrinking.

Can I make Mince Pies dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Mince Pies is 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed, 2 tbsp milk. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

How many calories are in Mince Pies?

One serving (the recipe makes 12) is about 210 calories, with 3 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 9 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 120 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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