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    Home | Recipes | Bakes

    Easy Shortcrust Mince Pies

    Oct 31, 2021 by Lou Carruthers | This post may contain affiliate links.

    748 shares
    Easy Shortcrust Mince Pies - Pinterest

    Leave out Santa's favourite treat on Christmas Eve with these easy to make sweet shortcrust mince pies. A family recipe that's been a firm favourite for over 40 years. Perfect for festive parties, with a cup of tea or delivering gifts on cold winter's evenings, and always served with a dollop of brandy butter!

    Jump to Recipe
    A pile of sweet mince pies on a white stand surrounded by silver baubles

    The big day is getting ever closer. Every year I say the same thing 'how on earth did that come round so quickly?'

    I don't know about you but for me, it just seems that the months fly by quicker. Work, family, life just goes from 0 to 60 in seconds, and everything flashes by, that the first time I properly stop for Christmas, is on Christmas Day.

    And as we get closer and I start thinking about festive food, think everything from chocolate yule logs to Christmas tree brownies, or reindeer cookies and the cutest Christmas puds.

    But for me, Christmas baking stirs up the fondest memories of baking with my Granny. And there was nothing more Christmassy in our house than baking mince pies with her.

    A hand picking up a mince pie from a plate

    Take me to the mince pies already!

    Table of Contents
    • What is a mince pie?
    • Can I make my own mincemeat?
    • How to make sweet shortcrust pastry
    • Recommended Equipment
    • Video: How to make easy shortcrust mince pies
    • What should I serve with mince pies?
    • How long do mince pies keep for?
    • Can I freeze the mince pies?
    • Check out these other festive bakes
    • Recipe

    If you want to skip the essential info and handy tips for making absolutely the best easy shortcrust mince pies, then head on down to the printable recipe card.

    What is a mince pie?

    Mince pies are actually little pieces of Christmas heaven... fact!

    The mix of the fruit, apple, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, with a crumbly sweet shortcrust pastry capture the magic of festive baking.

    Originating back in the 13th century, these little pies were much larger and did actually contain meat. But by the time we get to the Victorian period, they've shrunk to a handheld size, and the meat has gone.

    Although there's no meat left in these, traditional fruit mincemeat does contain suet (animal fat). However, you'll find most ready-made mincemeat leaves it out, and so is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Just remember to check the ingredients!

    Pastry topped fruit mince pie on a plate

    Can I make my own mincemeat?

    Yes, you can!

    I'll admit I didn't make my own mincemeat for these mince pies. The impulse purchase of a jar in the weekly shop meant it was even easier to make up a batch of these beauties.

    But while store-bought mincemeat is a time-saver, if you want to make your own it's just as easy! Plus it's a great way to use up all the odds and ends of dried fruit that you've got in the back of the pantry.

    Go for an easy homemade mincemeat, mixing all your fruit together and adding a glug of brandy, or add cranberries and ruby port for a touch of decadence.

    A sweet fruit pie with a bite taken out surrounded by crumbs

    How to make sweet shortcrust pastry

    Full measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page

    Although the recipe calls for ready-made mincemeat, the sweet shortcrust pastry is made from scratch and is so easy.

    Keep these top tips in mind and you'll be making pastry every time.

    • Really cold butter - keep your butter in the fridge until you're ready to use it. If warms up too much you can end up with a greasy, dull pastry. Don't be afraid to pop it back in the fridge to chill if you need to.
    • Use a pastry cutter - if you're like me and have 'hot hands', a pastry cutter is great for cutting your butter into the flour. Alternatively, you can blitz the ingredients in a food processor with the knife attachment.
    • Let the dough rest - once the pastry is made, wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This lets the dough chill and relax, so it's easier to roll out, and also reduces the risk of your pastry cases shrinking when baked.
    • Try a marble pastry board - the cool marble will reduce the risk of the pastry getting too warm as you roll out.
    • Ready-made shortcrust pastry - if all else fails and you're in a rush, then grab a block of ready-made pastry and you can have your mince pies made in under 30 minutes.

    Recommended Equipment

    Adjustable Rolling Pin

    Buy Now →

    Pastry Cutter

    Buy Now →

    Mince Pie Tin

    Buy Now →

    Video: How to make easy shortcrust mince pies

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eB9ihE4Ga8

    What should I serve with mince pies?

    Nothing beats a gently warmed mince pie; the crumbly pastry and the rich fruit are a winning combination.

    But try adding one of these for extra indulgence... and don't forget a fork or spoon!

    • Rum or Brandy Butter - nothing screams Christmas more than piling rum butter onto your desserts. There is no excuse, it goes with everything at this time of year. Ice Cream - a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream gently melting with the warmth of the pie is pure heaven. You could even make your own easy no-churn ice cream.
    • Custard - whether you're a warm or cold custard person, drizzle it and get stuck in. Try a delicious vanilla custard or go festive with a brandy and orange version.
    A sweet fruit pie opened up so you can see the fruit mince filling inside

    How long do mince pies keep for?

    These shortcrust mince pies will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container.

    Can I freeze the mince pies?

    If you're expecting lots of guests over the Holidays, you can make them ahead and keep them in the freezer; just defrost and reheat when you're ready to eat them.

    Save for shortcrust mince pies for later!

    Easy Shortcrust Mince Pies - Pinterest

    Check out these other festive bakes

    Keep these all to yourself for when you're snowed in, or to pop them into someone's Christmas stocking:

    • No Bake Malteser Cheesecake
    • Christmas Tray Bake Cake
    • Rocky Road Christmas Pudding
    • Mince Pie Brownies

    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a ☆☆☆☆☆ rating and/or a review in the comments section.

    Recipe

    Easy Shortcrust Mince Pies - Featured

    Easy Shortcrust Mince Pies

    5 from 5 votes
    Servings: 24 pies
    Leave out Santa’s favourite treat on Christmas Eve with these easy to make shortcrust mince pies. A family recipe that’s been a firm favourite for 40 years.
    Author: Lou Carruthers
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Recipe Saved Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Chilling Time 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr

    Equipment

    Pastry Cutter
    Adjustable Rolling Pin
    Mince Pie Tin
    Marble Pastry Board

    Ingredients
     

    • 225 g Butter Unsalted, Cold
    • 350 g Plain Flour or All-Purpose Flour
    • 100 g Caster Sugar or Superfine Sugar
    • 400 g Mincemeat Homemade or Store-bought
    • 1 Egg Medium
    • 2 tablespoon Milk
    • Icing Sugar or Powdered Sugar, to dust
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Video

    Instructions
     

    • To make the pastry: Cube the cold butter, and add it into a large mixing bowl with the flour. Rub the flour and butter together with your fingertips or use a pastry cutter. Add the sugar and mix together again
    • Add the egg into the dry ingredients, and bring everything together into a pastry dough.
    • Using your hands, press and knead the mixture to combine it into a ball. If needed, add the milk a little at a time to help the pastry come together.
    • Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
    • To make the mince pies: Preheat oven to 180C/ 350F.
    • Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pastry until about 2-3mm thickness.
    • With a 9-10cm round cutter, cut out pastry discs and place into a mince pie tin. You should get about 24 discs out of the pastry, depending on thickness and the size of cutter you used.
    • Add a heaped teaspoon of mincemeat into each pastry case.
    • Roll out the remaining pastry and cut out smaller discs, and place over the mincemeat. Press down on the edges to seal. You can also decorate with different shapes cut out from the pastry.
    • Beat a small egg and brush over the tops of the mince pies.
    • Bake for 20 minutes until golden.
    • Leave the mince pies to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes, before removing them and placing on a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Lightly dust with icing sugar, and serve slightly warm with brandy cream, custard or rum butter.

    Notes

    • These shortcrust mince pies will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container, or you can make them ahead and keep them in the freezer and reheat when you’re ready to eat them. Just remember to defrost them before warming up.
    • Really cold butter - keep your butter in the fridge until you're ready to use it. If warms up too much you can end up with a greasy, dull pastry.
    • Use a pastry cutter - if you're like me and have 'hot hands', a pastry cutter is great for cutting your butter into the flour. Alternatively, you can blitz the ingredients in a food processor with the knife attachment.
    • Let the dough rest - once the pastry is made, wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. This lets the dough chill and relax, so it's easier to roll out, and also reduces the risk of your pastry cases shrinking when baked.
    • Try a marble pastry board - the cool marble will reduce the risk of the pastry getting too warm as you roll out.
    • Ready-made shortcrust pastry - if all else fails and you're in a rush, then grab a block of ready-made pastry and you can have your mince pies made in under 30 minutes.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pieCalories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 18mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 234IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

    Disclaimer

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

    Did you make this recipe? Mention @crumbscorkscrews or tag #crumbscorkscrews!

    Copyright © 2022 Crumbs and Corkscrews. Unauthorised use and/ or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/ or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Crumbs and Corkscrews with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    748 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jason

      December 25, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for Christmas Eve dessert. Our whole family got hooked on mince pies the last time we visited the UK and they are next to non existant here in the US. The crust is a bit fragile to work with but came out delicious! My presentation would have Paul and Prue sending me home, but the taste was great and everyone loved them...(and suggested I make more next year!)

      Reply
      • Lou Carruthers

        December 28, 2021 at 10:10 pm

        Hi Jason

        Thanks so much for getting in touch about the success of your mince pies - great work! The pastry can be a little fragile as it is a shortcrust, I tend to find a good chill in the fridge before rolling out works, and if it does start to crumble when rolling out a very light sprinkle of cold water helps bring it back together. So glad though that you gave them a go and there's a Hollywood handshake winging its way over there for you!

        Thanks
        Lou

    2. Christina | Christina's Cucina

      November 23, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      I do love a good mince pie at Christmastime! These look wonderful! Thanks for including my custard recipe, too!

      Reply
      • Lou Carruthers

        November 24, 2019 at 7:07 pm

        Thank you Christina! You know it's Christmas time when mince pies start appearing or being baked. I love them with custard and your recipe is great.

    3. Lou

      September 12, 2018 at 8:51 pm

      5 stars
      I love making these, they remind me of baking with my Granny when I was younger

      Reply
    4. Cat

      December 22, 2017 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love mince pies and these look fantastic x

      Reply

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    Louise Carruthers Crumbs and Corkscrews

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