Description
Delia Smith’s mince pies are made with a buttery shortcrust pastry and filled with traditional mincemeat, a spiced mix of dried fruits, citrus, and suet. These bite-sized treats are baked until golden and often dusted with powdered sugar for a festive finish.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- Plain flour (225g): Forms the base of the pastry.
- Butter (125g, chilled and diced): For a rich, flaky texture.
- Lard (25g, chilled and diced): Adds extra flakiness (or use additional butter for a vegetarian option).
- Cold water (2–3 tablespoons): To bind the dough.
- Salt (a pinch): Enhances flavor.
For the Filling:
- Mincemeat (300g): Homemade or high-quality store-bought.
For Finishing:
- Powdered sugar (optional): To dust the pies.
- Egg (1, beaten): For an optional glaze.
Instructions
Step 1: Make the pastry
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the chilled butter and lard, then rub them into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Preheat the oven
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan, 400°F).
Step 3: Roll out the pastry
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pastry to about 3mm thickness. Use a round cutter to cut circles for the pie bases and slightly smaller circles for the lids.
Step 4: Assemble the mince pies
- Line the muffin tin with the larger pastry circles, pressing gently into each cavity. Add a teaspoon of mincemeat to each base, ensuring not to overfill.
- Place the smaller pastry circles on top as lids, sealing the edges by pinching or pressing with a fork. Optionally, brush the tops with beaten egg for a golden glaze.
Step 5: Bake the pies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and crisp.
Step 6: Cool and serve
- Allow the mince pies to cool slightly in the tin before transferring them to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.