Mince Pies

Ingredients

• 8 ozbutter, cold; diced
• 12 1/4 ozall-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 ozsuperfine sugar
• salt, a pinch
• 10 ozmincemeat, ready-made
• 1egg, small; beaten; for egg wash
• powdered sugar, for dusting to serve

Method

1. 1

   Rub the cold diced butter into the flour, then mix in the sugar and a pinch of salt.

2. 2

   Bring the mixture into a ball without adding any liquid. Knead briefly into a smooth, firm dough (like shortbread). Use immediately or chill.

3. 3

   Preheat oven to 400°F / Gas 6 / 350°F fan. Press walnut-sized balls of pastry into the holes of two 12-hole patty tins to line 18 holes.

4. 4

   Spoon mincemeat into each pastry case. Pat slightly smaller balls of pastry into round lids and press over the filling, gently sealing the edges.

5. 5

   Brush the tops with beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a rack.

6. 6

   Dust lightly with icing sugar to serve.