Nothing says Christmas like mince pies. Not everyone has the right kitchen equipment to make individual mince pies, though. I was in a hurry today as I was trying to have the oven on for the shortest time whilst making bread and food prepping. I therefore made a large mince pie which is quicker. I used a plate as a template. The amount of pastry needed varies depending on the size of the pie. This was for a small dinner plate size.
Ingredients.
Pastry
8oz plain flour
2oz lard
2oz butter
Cold water.
Filling
Half a jar of mincemeat.
Icing
Icing sugar.
Water
Sprinkles.
Method
1. Make the pastry by putting the flour into a bowl. Add the fat, chopped small.
2. Rub the fat into the flour using the tips of your fingers.
3. Add enough water to bring the mixture together.
4. Some people rest the pastry in the fridge at this point but my kitchen was so cold that I didn’t even bother.
5. Roll half the pastry out. Using a plate as a template, cut round it with a knife. Place on a lined or greased baking sheet.
6. Place the mincemeat into the centre of the pastry disc, and spread, stopping an inch from the edge.
7. Roll out the other half and repeat with the plate.
8. Wet the bare pastry around the edge with water, and place the other disk on top.
9. Using a fork, squash the edges together. Make a couple of cuts in the top for steam to escape.
10. Wash with egg or milk or beaten egg if you wish. I never do.
11. Cook in an oven at 200⁰C until golden brown.
12. Once removed from the oven allow to cool.
13. Make the icing with the icing sugar and add a tsp of water at a time. (Mine was a bit runny but I didn’t want to open another bag of icing sugat).
14. When the pie is cold, spread the icing on top and add some sprinkles to add some festive cheer. Otherwise you can just forget the icing and sieve some icing sugar on top of the pie.
I had a bit of leftover pastry and I used this to make a quiche. Mr S loves mince pies. I hate messing about making them and so this is an easier way. We bought our fruit mincemeat in January and February this year as they were on sale. Most cost me 35p each. I have no idea what the proper price for a jar is. Sometimes I have kept them 2 years or more and they have been fine due to the amount of sugar or alcohol in them.
