How to make fruit mince pies
Mince pies are synonymous with Christmas and are a classic addition to lunch and dinner tables during the festive season.
Unlike the name suggests they don’t contain meat anymore, but rather are filled with dried fruits and spices.
Traditionally, they were oblong shaped to resemble the manger Jesus was born in, with the star that sits atop representing the star which guided the Three Wise Men to the stable. It was also custom to use nutmeg, clove and cinnamon to symbolise the Three Wise Men.
Don’t worry if you scoff a few too many over Christmas. It’s said that eating a mince pie for each of the 12 Days of Christmas will bring 12 months of happiness.
Scoffed Cooking School has kindly supplied a delicious mince pie recipe that you can make to serve friends and family, or enjoy on your own, this Christmas.
Scoffed’s Katie Bae says mince pies are the “perfect Christmas dish”.
“They’ve got the warmth of cinnamon, freshness from citrus zest and juice, all absorbed into the sweet, dried fruits,” Katie says.
“They have the right balance of sweetness and sourness. It’s easy and fun to make and decorate with kids or families.”
Prep Time: 15mins
Cook Time: 30mins
Makes: 30 pies
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- Medium-sized bowl
- Baking tray and paper
- Large saucepan
- Food processor or potato masher
- Knife and chopping board
- Frying pan
- Wooden spoon
- Microplane grater
- Pastry brush and tongs
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- 360g (2 cups) dried mixed fruit
- 200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
- 50g (1/3 cup) slivered almonds, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, quartered, cored, coarsely grated
- 40g butter, melted
- 2 tbsp orange juice and the rind of four oranges
- 3 tsp finely grated lemon rind
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1 egg, lightly whisked
- White sugar, to dust
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