Mini Mince Pies

About

You Will Need (3 things)

Steps (4 steps, 60 minutes)

1. 1

   Place small balls of your short crust pastry dough into a mini cupcake pan. (The balls should be approximatly the size of a srew cap on a bottle of fizzy drink).
   Then using a dough shaper or your fingers - press the dough into the pan. If non-stck it will not require any butter/oil.

   Short Crust Pastry Dough - can easily buy a ready to roll pack if in a rush
   or
   Put 4oz flour and a pinch of salt in a large bowl, then add 2oz of cubed butter. Rub the butter into the flour until you have a mixture that resembles coarse breadcrumbs with no large lumps of butter remaining. (Try to work quickly so that it does not become greasy!). Using a knife, stir in just enough of the cold water (2-3 tbsp) to bind the dough together.Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill for 10-15 minutes before using.

2. 2

   Carefully fill each case with filling - making sure the mixture is flat and just below the rim of the dough case (this helps prevent it over-flowing!)

   Filling - if in a rush the filling is readily available in shops
   or
   Delias Recipe:
   Mix 1 lb Bramley apples, cored and chopped small, 8 oz shredded vegtable suet, 12 oz raisins, 8 oz sultanas, 8 oz currants, 8 oz whole mixed candied peel, 12 oz soft dark brown sugar, grated zest and juice of 2 oranges, grated zest and juice of 2 lemons, 2 oz whole almonds,4 teaspoons of mixed ground spice, ½ level teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ level teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg into a large oven-proof bowl, then leave overnight to rest.
   Then put into the oven on 110°C (225°F) for 3 hours, then stir all the fat in once it comes out. Continue to stir now and again as it cools. Can be stored in steralised glass jars.

3. 3

   With some of the dough, roll out into a thin sheet approx 3mm in thickness, and cut out star shapes that are similar in size to your pan diameters.
   Place one on top of each filled pie, then sprinkle a small amount of sugar on the star.

4. 4

   Bake the mine pies in the oven on 180°C for approx 15 minutes ( different ovens may vary!).

   Once baked - be very careful in their removal as the filling is extremly hot and can cause serious burns (therefore adults only at this stage if making with children).

   Then, once they have cooled to a suitable temperature - Enjoy!