Mince Pies

Ingredients

Pastry:

• 350g plain flour

• 150g butter (cold, diced)

• 50g icing sugar

• 2 eggs

• Zest of 1 orange

For assembling:

• Mincemeat (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

• 50ml milk

Method

1. Make the pastry

   • Place the flour, butter and icing sugar into a bowl.

   • Rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

   • Add the orange zest and the eggs. Mix until the dough comes together.

   • Wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (longer is even better).

2. Prepare the tins

   • You can use a fairy-cake tin or tinfoil pie cases.

   • Preheat the oven to 160°C (fan).

3. Assemble the pies

   • Roll out the chilled pastry on a lightly floured surface.

   • Cut out circles for the bases and press them gently into the tins.

   • Add a spoonful of mincemeat into each pastry case.

   • Cut out circles (or stars/ festive shapes) for the tops and lay them over the filling.

4. Finish and bake

   • Beat the remaining egg with the milk to make an egg wash.

   • Brush the tops lightly.

   • Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.

5. Optional finishing touch

   • Dust with icing sugar while warm for a festive look.