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Traditional British Mince Pies

Source: The Spruce Eats
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Chill Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Beef, Christmas, Pie
Servings: 12
Calories: 292kcal

Ingredients

For the Pastry:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the work surface
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (or an equal mix of butter and lard), cold and cubed
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Water, cold, as needed

For the Pie:

  • 27 ounce jar mincemeat, store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Instructions

Make the Pastry

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Place 350 grams (2 3/4 cups) flour, 225 grams (1 cup) cold and cubed unsalted butter (or an equal mix of butter and lard), and 1 pinch salt into a large clean bowl.
  • Rub the butter quickly into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles rough sand.
  • Stir 1 beaten egg into the mixture using a cold knife.
  • Add the cold water, a teaspoon at a time, and stir until the mixture binds but is not sticky.
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

Assemble the Pies

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C / Gas Mark 6. Choose a muffin or bun tin for the size of the tart you want. (We used a standard 12-cup tin.)
  • Dust a work surface lightly with a little flour and roll out 2/3 of the pastry to 1/8 inch thick. Cut circles to line the cups of your tin; don't worry if the pastry doesn't come to the very top.
  • Fill the pastry-lined tins 2/3 full with mincemeat.
  • Roll out the remaining pastry to the same thickness and cut smaller circles to fit as lids on the tarts or, to be decorative, cut stars or other fancy shapes.
  • Dampen the edges of the tart bases with a little cold water and press the lids on. Make a small hole in the surface of each pie with a small sharp knife to allow the steam to escape.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes (15 minutes if making canapé-sized ones), or until golden brown.
  • Let cool and sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

How to Store Mince Pies
Mince pies will keep well if placed in an airtight tin for up to seven days. Sometimes they benefit from a gentle warming in the oven before serving.
https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-traditional-mince-pie-recipe-435108