Quick and Easy Mince Pies Recipe

Ingredients

• 110 g salted butter (cubed)
• 225 g plain white flour (all purpose flour)
• 25 g white caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 1 orange (zest)
• 2 tbsp cold water
• 350 g mincemeat (vegetarian if required)
• 1 medium free range eggs (white beaten)
• 1 tsp white caster sugar (superfine sugar)

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the flour and butter in a mixing bowl.

2. 2

   Rub together until the mix resembles fine breadcrumbs. Shake the bowl back and forth to check for lumps, which should rise to the top.

3. 3

   Add the sugar and orange rind to the bowl. Mix.

4. 4

   Add 2tbsp of cold water and mix until it comes together as a dough. Add more water drop by drop if necessary. You want to work the dough as little as possible, do this without too much kneading.

5. 5

   Roll the dough into a ball, cover and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes to make it easier to work with.

6. 6

   Turn the dough onto a floured board and roll out thinly.

7. 7

   Cut out your mince pies using a 7cm cutter, reworking any leftover pastry if necessary until you have 24 discs.

8. 8

   Line your tin with your pastry discs. If you have long nails, you can use a piece of pastry dipped in flour to help ease the pastry snugly into the tin.

9. 9

   Spoon about 1tbsp of mincemeat into each of your pastry cases, and dab the edges with a sprinkling of water.

10. 10

    Top your pastry cases with your remaining pastry discs. Press down around the edges of the lid so that it sticks.

11. 11

    Cut a small slit into the top of each pie with a sharp knife. This will allow air to escape during baking.

12. 12

    Brush the mince pies with your egg whites to glaze, then sprinkle with sugar.

13. 13

    Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 200C (400F/180 fan).

14. 14

    Allow to cool a little before serving, as the filling will be very hot