Puff Pastry Mince Pies BakingQueen74 from bakingqueen74.co.uk
Introduction
If you're looking for a festive treat that's easy to make and sure to impress, then look no further than this puff pastry mince pie recipe. Made with store-bought puff pastry and a simple homemade mincemeat filling, these pies are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Whether you serve them as a dessert or a snack, they're sure to be a hit with your friends and family.
Ingredients
For the pastry, you'll need: - 2 sheets of store-bought puff pastry - 1 egg, beaten For the mincemeat filling, you'll need: - 2 apples, peeled and grated - 1 cup of raisins - 1 cup of currants - 1 cup of brown sugar - 1/2 cup of suet or butter - 1 tsp of ground cinnamon - 1 tsp of ground nutmeg - 1 tsp of ground ginger - 1/2 tsp of salt - 1/2 cup of brandy or rum
Instructions
1. Start by making the mincemeat filling. In a large bowl, combine the grated apples, raisins, currants, brown sugar, suet or butter, spices, and salt. Mix well. 2. Add the brandy or rum and stir until everything is well combined. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. 3. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). 4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one sheet of puff pastry until it's about 1/8 inch thick. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles that are slightly larger than the openings of your muffin tin. 5. Grease your muffin tin with butter or cooking spray, then gently press the circles of pastry into each cup, making sure to press them into the corners. 6. Spoon the mincemeat filling into each cup, filling them about 2/3 full. 7. Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry and cut out circles that are slightly smaller than the openings of your muffin tin. Place one pastry circle on top of each mincemeat-filled cup, pressing the edges down lightly to seal. 8. Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg, then use a sharp knife to make a small slit in the center of each one. 9. Bake the pies in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up. 10. Remove the pies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before removing them from the muffin tin. 11. Serve the pies warm, dusted with powdered sugar if desired.
Nutrition
While these puff pastry mince pies are certainly delicious, they're not exactly a health food. Each pie contains around 400 calories, 25 grams of fat, and 35 grams of sugar. However, they're a great treat to enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet. If you're looking for a slightly lighter version, you could try using filo pastry instead of puff pastry, or reducing the amount of sugar in the filling. Overall, these pies are a great way to indulge in a little holiday cheer without going overboard.
