Easy Mince Pie Recipe With Ready-Made Pastry (With 2 Ingredients)
Who doesn’t love a mince pie? Whether celebrating the holidays or looking for a delicious wintertime treat, it’s hard to go wrong with this classic dessert.
But what if I told you that you could make an even easier mince pie than usual with ready-made pastry? Well, you can! All you need is ready-made shortcrust pastry and store-bought mincemeat; assemble, bake, and have your delicious mince pies.
Credit: canva
Here’s a simple recipe to have your mince pies ready quickly.
One pack of this ready-made pastry is enough for 12 individual pies.
A true kitchen staple, this pastry dough is versatile and perfect for sweet or savory dishes. It’s super easy to work with, too. You must grab it from the package, roll it out between two pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap, and your masterpiece is ready in minutes.
Plus, if you’re a fan of flaky pie crusts (who isn’t?!), you won’t be disappointed by ready-made pastry – the layers are still intact and deliciously flaky even after baking.
Store-bought Mincemeat
For this recipe, you will need 1 (one) jar of this mincemeat.
Many different types of store-bought mincemeat are available, so the first step is knowing what kind of flavor profile you’re looking for. Most pre-made mincemeat will have similar ingredients: raisins, currants, apples, candied citrus peel, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Some recipes also include brandy or whiskey as a preservative! Then there are variations on the traditional recipe — mixes with dried fruits instead of fresh ones; savory versions with bacon; cranberry-and-cinnamon medleys; etc.
You can also use your own favorite homemade mincemeat. It’s definitely better than the store-bought one. Not to mention, you can tweak the flavors according to your preference.
Egg
You will need 1 (one)beaten egg as an egg wash.
It will give your mince pies a golden, glossy finish.
Granulated Sugar for Sprinkling (optional)
This is optional, but some people like sweetness on their mince pies.
Equipment
2-size cookie cutters: You will need two cookie cutters. The bigger one is for the base, and the smaller one is for the top. You can use whatever size you want, depending on how big or small you want your pies.
12-hole bun tin: A 12-hole bun tin with a removable base is perfect for baking individual mince pies.
Mince pies in a bun tin. Credit: canva
How to Cook
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 220C/200C/425F fan/gas mark 7.
Grease your 12-hole bun tin.
Lay the pastry sheet on the counter.
Cut out 12 rounds with the bigger cookie cutter for the base and 12 rounds with the smaller cookie cutter for the top.
Assembly
Place each circle into the muffin tin holes, pressing gently into the edges.
Fill each base in your greased bun tin with a tablespoon of mincemeat and spread evenly.
Brush the edges of each pastry round with some water, then place the smaller round on top.
Press down the edges lightly with a fork to seal them together.
Make 2 small slits on each pie top to allow steam to escape.
Then brush the tops of each with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with sugar, if desired.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Leave to cool completely before removing the pies from the tin.
Enjoy your freshly made mince pies!
This video is about making mince pies with ready-made shortcrust pastry.
Mince pie with icing sugar dusting. Credit: canva
Serving Suggestions
Here are some tips and tricks to help you serve the perfect mince pie.
Warm Them Up
Etiquette expert William Hanson said mince pies should be gently warmed. This will help bring out the flavors of the filling and make the pastry more tender.
If you’re serving them at a party, you can warm them up in the oven before serving. If you enjoy them at home, you can warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.
Add Toppings
Consider adding toppings to take your mince pies to the next level. Good Food Ireland suggests dusting them with glistening icing sugar or adding whipped or clotted cream.
You can also try other toppings like chopped nuts or dried fruit.
Pair Them with Accompaniments
Mince pies are delicious but can also be paired with accompaniments to enhance their flavor.
For starters, why not pair your mince pies with hot apple drinks like mulled cider or cranberry-spiced tea? These warm beverages will bring out the flavors in the pies and make them even more delicious.
Thunders Bakery recommends pairing them with custard, yogurt, berries, ice cream, or even whipped stilton and pancetta for a savory twist.
BBC Good Food suggests trying delicate pastries like mincemeat and pecan palmiers or adding maple syrup for a Christmas twist.
Try Different Variations
If you want to mix things up this holiday season, try different variations of mince pies.
Mini Mince Pies
Try making mini versions if you want a variation on the classic mince pie. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or snacking on throughout the day. They’re easy to make and can be customized with different toppings.
Mince Pie Tartlets
Another fun variation on the classic mince pie is to turn them into tartlets. This gives you more room to play around with different pastry types and fillings. Add nuts or dried fruit to the filling for extra flavor.
Vegan Mince Pies
If you’re catering to a vegan crowd, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to make delicious vegan mince pies.
Simply substitute vegetable shortening for butter in your pastry recipe, and use a vegan-friendly mincemeat filling (which usually contains no animal products).
Spiced Rum Mince Pies
Add spiced rum to your filling mixture before baking for an adult twist on the classic mince pie. The alcohol will cook off during baking, leaving a warm and spicy flavor perfect for cold winter evenings.
Cranberry Mince Pies
Try adding cranberries if you want to add some tartness to your mince pies—cranberries’ sweet and slightly sour flavor pairs perfectly with the rich spices in traditional mincemeat fillings.
These are just a few examples of how you can switch up your holiday baking routine with different variations of mince pies. Get creative and see what other flavors you can come up with!
Credit: canva
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pastry for my mince pies?
Yes. You can use ready-made pastry for your mince pies. It’s a great time-saver and can still result in delicious pies.
Just follow the instructions on the packaging and adjust your baking time accordingly.
What type of mincemeat should I use?
You can use any mincemeat you prefer, whether store-bought or homemade. Some recipes call for adding additional ingredients like apples, cherries, or brandy to the filling, so feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.
How do I make my mince pies look festive?
Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for the top crusts to make your mince pies look festive. You can also sprinkle powdered sugar over the top or add a dollop of whipped cream before serving.
And don’t forget to help them on a pretty platter or cake stand!
