Discover the magic of a classic British Christmas mince pie recipe. These delightful treats feature rich, spiced fruit filling nestled in buttery, flaky shortcrust pastry. Perfect for holiday baking, our recipe makes homemade festive pies achievable for everyone. Enjoy a delicious, nut-free, and suet-free option that tastes truly traditional. This Christmas mince pie recipe will become a treasured part of your holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Mince Pie Recipe
You’ll adore this delightful Christmas mince pie recipe for many reasons.
- It captures authentic British holiday flavor, bringing festive cheer to your home.
- The homemade taste far surpasses anything store-bought, with fresh, vibrant spices.
- Our filling is easily customizable and entirely nut-free, perfect for those with allergies.
- You can prepare the mincemeat ahead, making assembly a breeze on baking day.
- These individual pies are ideal for holiday gifting or serving at festive gatherings.
- The recipe includes an easy alcohol-free option, making them kid-friendly and universally enjoyable.
Ingredients
Getting started with any Christmas mince pie recipe requires quality ingredients. Here’s everything you need for flaky pastry and a richly spiced fruit filling.
For the Mince Pie Filling
- 1 cup/5 ounces (142 grams) currants
- 1 cup/5 ounces (142 grams) raisins
- ¼ cup (59 ml) brandy
- ½ cup (70 grams) green apple, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 ounces (56 grams) candied peel of your choice
- Juice of 1 orange
- Zest of ½ an orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ½ cup (100 grams) dark brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) butter, cold
For the Homemade Shortcrust Pastry
- 1 ½ cups (225 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, cubed and kept cold
- ½ cup cold water
For the Topping
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon powdered/confectioners sugar
Notes & Substitutions
Brandy: You can easily swap brandy for whiskey, dark rum, or even apple juice or orange juice for a non-alcoholic version.
Currants: If currants are hard to find, simply use an equal amount of extra raisins to maintain the rich fruit balance in this easy Christmas mince pie recipe.
Butter vs. Suet: This recipe uses cold butter in the filling, offering a delicious alternative to traditional suet. Butter provides richness and a lovely texture without the need for suet.
Cold Butter: Using very cold butter is crucial for both the pastry and the filling. It creates flaky pastry and helps the filling maintain its texture during baking.
Make Ahead: The mincemeat filling truly benefits from sitting for a few days or even weeks. Its flavors deepen and meld beautifully, making your pies even more delicious.
Equipment You’ll Need
Gathering your tools ahead makes baking simple. You will need large mixing bowls for the filling and pastry. A food processor is optional for quick pastry making, but a pastry cutter works well by hand. A rolling pin is essential for flattening the dough. Grab a 4-inch round pastry cutter for the bases and small holiday shape cutters for festive tops. Finally, a 12-cup regular size muffin pan and a wire cooling rack complete your setup.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare your own delicious Christmas mince pie recipe by following these simple steps. This guide makes creating festive treats straightforward and fun.
Prepare the Mincemeat Filling
- First, combine the currants, raisins, and brandy in a large bowl. Let them soak for 1-2 hours, or even better, overnight. This step infuses the fruit with rich flavor.
- Next, add the finely chopped green apple, candied peel, fresh orange and lemon zest, ground cinnamon, grated nutmeg, and dark brown sugar to the soaked fruit mixture.
- Use a box grater to grate the cold butter directly into the filling mixture. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon or your hands until well combined.
- If you are preparing the mincemeat ahead, transfer it to sterilized jars. Store it in a cool, dry place for up to one month to allow the flavors to develop.
Make the Shortcrust Pastry
- Using a Food Processor: Combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and cold, cubed butter in the food processor bowl. Pulse the mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in just enough cold water until the dough starts to form a ball. Be careful not to add too much water; you might not use all of it.
- Making by Hand: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Gradually add the cold water, mixing with a fork until the dough starts to come together and can be pressed into a ball. Again, you may not need all the water.
- Once the dough forms, gently shape it into a ball. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes. Chilling the dough helps relax the gluten and makes it easier to roll.
Assemble and Bake the Mince Pies
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 12-cup regular size muffin pan. This ensures the pies do not stick.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry dough to about ⅛-inch (3mm) thick. Use a 4-inch (10 cm) round pastry cutter to cut out 12 circles for the pie bases.
- Carefully press each pastry round into the cups of the prepared muffin pan. Ensure the edges of the pastry meet the edges of the muffin cups.
- Scoop approximately 5 tablespoons of the prepared mincemeat filling into each pastry-lined cup. Do not overfill them, as the filling can bubble during baking.
- Re-roll any remaining pastry dough. Use small holiday shape cutters (like stars or festive figures) to create tops for your pies.
- Gently place one holiday shape on top of the filling in each pie. Brush the pastry tops lightly with the beaten egg, then sprinkle a small amount of powdered sugar over them.
- Bake the pies for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is uniformly golden brown. Baking time may vary depending on your oven. Follow this Christmas mince pie recipe carefully for best results.
Pro Tips for Perfect Mince Pies
Achieving perfect results with your festive mince pie recipe is easy with these simple tips.
- Always use very cold butter for both the pastry and the mincemeat. This creates a flaky crust and prevents the filling from becoming oily.
- Avoid overworking the pastry dough. Over-mixing develops gluten, leading to a tough, less tender crust.
- Chill dough as instructed. This helps the butter stay firm and makes the pastry easier to handle and roll.
- Make mincemeat filling days or weeks ahead. The flavors meld and deepen over time, enhancing the taste of your pies.
- Do not overfill pastry cases. Leave a little room at the top to prevent the filling from bubbling over during baking.
- Decorate pie tops for visual appeal. Use festive cutters for a charming holiday look.
- Bake until pastry is uniformly golden. This ensures the crust is fully cooked and deliciously crisp.
Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations
These delicious festive mince pies are a highlight of any holiday season. Here’s how to enjoy and store them, plus some creative twists.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your homemade Christmas mince pies warm for the best experience. A dollop of traditional brandy butter is a classic accompaniment. They also pair wonderfully with clotted cream or a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. For an extra touch, dust them with a little powdered sugar just before serving.
Storage & Freezing
Storage: Once completely cooled, store your baked mince pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Freezing Baked Pies: To freeze, individually wrap each cooled pie in plastic wrap, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Reheating: To enjoy frozen pies, simply warm them in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Delicious Variations
Alcohol-Free: For a family-friendly version, substitute the brandy in the mincemeat with an equal amount of apple juice or orange juice. The flavor will still be wonderfully festive.
Spice Boost: Enhance the aromatic profile by adding a pinch of ground allspice or ginger to the mincemeat filling. These spices complement the existing cinnamon and nutmeg beautifully.
Large Pie: Instead of individual pies, you can bake this recipe in a 9-inch pie dish. Simply adjust the baking time, likely increasing it to 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly.
Nutrition Information
This nutrition information is for one serving of your Christmas mince pie recipe.
- Calories: 171
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 31mg
- Sodium: 111mg
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 2g
Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is mincemeat?
Historically, mincemeat was a meat-based preserve. Today, it refers to a sweet, spiced fruit filling, often including suet or butter, used for pies.
Can I prepare the mincemeat filling in advance?
Yes, absolutely! Preparing the mincemeat filling in advance allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. You can store it in sterilized jars for up to a month.
Can I substitute brandy in this Christmas mince pie recipe?
Yes, you can easily substitute brandy with other spirits like whiskey or dark rum. For a non-alcoholic option, use apple juice or orange juice instead.
Are these mince pies nut-free?
Yes, this specific Christmas mince pie recipe is crafted without nuts, making it a safe option for those with nut allergies.
Can I use store-bought pastry or mincemeat for convenience?
While homemade pastry and mincemeat are recommended for the best flavor, you can certainly use good quality store-bought options. This will save time and still result in delicious pies.
Conclusion
Embrace the joy of homemade Christmas Mince Pies this festive season. This easy-to-follow Christmas mince pie recipe proves that creating these traditional treats is simpler than you think. With buttery pastry and a rich, spiced fruit filling, each bite is deeply satisfying and full of holiday cheer. Make a batch of this cherished Christmas mince pie recipe to share with loved ones and create lasting festive memories.
