Mince pies og Brandy butter

 MINCE PIES

Ingredients

• 1 large jar mincemeat (about 600g)
• 2 satsumas, segmented
• 1 apple, finely chopped
• zest 1 lemon
• little icing sugar, for dusting

For the pastry

• 375g plain flour
• 260g unsalted butter, softened
• 125g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 large egg, plus 1 beaten egg for glazing

Method

• STEP 1

  Place 375g plain flour and 260g softened unsalted butter in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency.

• STEP 2

  Add 125g caster sugar and 1 large beaten egg, and mix together.

• STEP 3

  Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together, be careful not to over mix.

• STEP 4

  Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for 10 mins.

• STEP 5

  Scoop the large jar of mincemeat into a bowl and add 2 segmented satsumas, 1 finely chopped apple and zest of 1 lemon.

• STEP 6

  Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.

• STEP 7

  Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick.

• STEP 8

  Using a round cutter (about 10cm), cut out 16 bases and place them into muffin trays. Put 1½ tbsp mincemeat mixture into each. Brush the edge of each pie with a little beaten egg.

• STEP 9

  Re-roll out the pastry to cut 7cm lids and press them on top to seal. Glaze with the beaten egg, sprinkle with the extra caster sugar, then make a small cut in the tops.

• STEP 10

  Bake the mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool before releasing them from the muffin trays and dusting with a little more icing sugar before serving.

   

  BRANDY BUTTER

  Ingredients

  • 200g salted butter, softened
  • 175g icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla paste, or seeds scraped from 1 vanilla pod
  • 5-7 tbsp brandy

  Method

  • STEP 1

    Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla together until pale, then whisk in the brandy, one tbsp at a time, until you are pleased with the taste. Scrape into a serving bowl and chill for 1 hr or for up to 3 days, before serving. Freeze for up to a month.