Whether you make your own pastry and mincemeat from scratch or prefer the convenience of ready-made options, these bite-sized mince pies are a festive delight that never fail to impress. The Portmeirion for AGA Mini Muffin Tray is ideal for this recipe.
These mini mince pies freeze will for up to 3 months and can be stored in an airtight container for a week or two.
Serves 8
350g shortcrust pastry
250g mincemeat
1 egg,
1 tbsp milk
Icing sugar, as needed
Plain flour, as needed
A pastry brush and a small clean paintbrush are handy
Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 15 minutes.
1. Roll out the pastry onto a floured surface to a thickness of a £1 coin - the thinner the better to give you crisp pastry.
2. Using a 7cm fluted cutter, cut 12 bases from the rolled pastry.
3. Dust both sides of the pastry circles with a little flour to help you with removing the mince pies from the tray after cooking.
4. Press the centre gently between your fingers to start to shape the circles to fit the muffin tray hole. There’s no need to grease the tray but make sure the pastry is well floured.
5. Press the pastry gently into the muffin tray hole until it is level with the top. Repeat for all 12 circles.
6. Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork and chill in the fridge or freezer for 5 - 10 mins.
7. To make the top of the pies, roll out the leftover pastry and using a slightly smaller cutter, cut 6 circles to fit the tops, then cut out star shapes in these circles.
8. To fill, put a teaspoon of mincemeat in each mini muffin hole, avoiding the temptation to overfill them. Brush the rim of the pastry with water - use a small paint brush for this if you have one.
9. Cover 6 of the pies with the circles with cut out stars and press the edges together. Use the stars on the remaining pies.
10. Mix the egg and milk together with a fork and brush on top of the pastry lids.
11. Place in the oven. CAST OVEN: on the grid shelf on the floor of the roasting oven or oven on R8. FAN OVEN: preheated to R7/200oC/400oF. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the pastry is cooked and the pies are nicely coloured on top.
12. Allow the mince pies to cool in the tray for a few minutes, before carefully transferring to a cooling rack.
13. Dust the mince pies with icing sugar and serve either warm or at room temperature.
