Mince pies in a vintage old plate with christmas decoration on wooden background
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5 from 1 vote

Traditional Mince Pie

You can buy readymade mince for easy use. However, there is always something special about making it at home. You can also store it and use it later. It will go excellently with ice-cream or in a fruit cake.
Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time2 hrs 50 mins
Total Time3 hrs 20 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: British
Keyword: Mince Pie
Appliance: oven, Tartlet Tin
Servings: 18 pies
Author: Paromita Datta

Ingredients

For the mincemeat filling

  • 6 oz candied mixed peel finely chopped
  • 7 oz raisins
  • 4 oz dried currants
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tsp mixed spices
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 6 oz suet
  • 1 apple chopped finely
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1 apple chopped

For the pastry

  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 2/3 cup cold butter cubed
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup chilled water
  • Icing sugar for dusting

Instructions

Preparing the mince

  • Mix all the ingredients except for the brandy in a large baking bowl. Let it sit overnight in a refrigerator.  
  • The next day, heat the oven to 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the mince from the fridge, cover the bowl with a foil, and pop it into the warm oven for around 2 1/2 hours. The suet will melt during this time.
  • At the end of the cooking time, take the mince out of the oven and give it a mix as it cools down. This is important to ensure that the mix is homogenous. 
  • Add the brandy and give the mix another stir to ensure that the brandy is mixed through. You can now let the fruits soak into the brandy for as long as you want. The alcohol and the suet will help to preserve the fruit. You can bottle up the mince and store it in a cool dry place. 

For the pie

  • For the pastry dough, cut the butter into the flour and then rub it in using just the tips of your finger till the mix looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Now bring it together using one teaspoon water at a time. Do not work it too much. You want the butter to stay as cold as possible. Once you have brought it together, just wrap it up in a cling sheet and keep in the fridge for half an hour. 
  • Prepare a 12 hole-tartlet tin by greasing it. Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Divide the flour into two parts. Roll out one part on a lightly floured surface. Using a cookie cutter or a jar lid, cut out circles. Use these cutouts to line the tartlets. Now spoon in the mince into the tartlets. 
    Closeup of an open mince pie on a wooden board with green christmas background
  • Roll out the other part and use a cookie cutter to cut out various shapes. Stars and circles make for great patterns. Slightly dampen the edges and put the cut-outs on top of the tartlets, pressing lightly and sealing the edges.
  • Make a small slit on top of each tartlet and bake for about 20 minutes. The tops should look golden. Sprinkle the pies with icing sugar when serving. 
    Closeup of an open mince pie on a wooden board with green christmas background