Nothing signals the start of the festive season like a freshly-baked mince pie. But, let’s face it, baking these crunchy, fruity pies can often be a bit of a headache – especially when they stick to the baking tray!
You can stop mince pies from sticking to the tin or baking tray in several ways. Oil, butter, parchment paper, or flour are some of the most popular methods.
Mincemeat pie. Credit: canva
Here we will provide some simple tips and tricks to make your mince pies as delicious and non-sticking as possible.
Mince pies are a staple of the festive season, but one problem that can arise when baking them is that they can stick to the tin. This is usually due to a few different factors.
Firstly, if you overfill the pies with mincemeat, this can cause the pastry to split, allowing the mincemeat to leak and stick to the tin.
Additionally, if your tins are new or not greased properly, this can lead to sticking.
Credit: canva
How to Stop Mince Pies Sticking
#1 – Pre-Grease the Tin
Before pouring in the mince pie mixture, it is important to grease the tin or baking tray to prevent sticking. Use a non-stick cooking spray, butter, or oil on the surface of the tin before adding in your dough and filling. This ensures you won’t have to spend too much time scraping the pies off your tin or baking tray.
#2 – Use Parchment Paper
For an even easier and fuss-free method, line the bottom of your tin with parchment paper before adding in your mince pie mixture. This will help stop the pastry from sticking to the tin and prevent spills while baking.
#3 – Flour the Tin
For those who prefer an oil-free method, you can sprinkle a light layer of flour over the base and sides of your tin before adding in your mince pie mixture. You can also roll out your pastry on a floured surface to ensure it won’t stick when you place it in the tin.
#4 – Bake at a Lower Temperature
Ensuring your mince pies bake at the right temperature prevents sticking. Generally, baking at a lower temperature (around 350-375°F) will help to prevent sticking and give your pies enough time to cook through without burning or becoming too dry.
#5 – Cool the Mince Pies Before Removing
Letting your mince pies cool completely before attempting to remove them from the tin or baking tray is important. This gives the pastry some time to firm up and will make it much easier for you to lift them out without breaking them apart!
#6 – Use Non-Stick or Silicone Baking Mats
Finally, a non-stick or silicone baking mat can help prevent sticking and make your mince pies easier to handle. These mats provide an even heat distribution while baking and will help to keep your pies from burning or sticking.
Credit: canva
Tips to Safely Remove Mince Pies from the Tin
Do you find removing them from the tin hard after baking without sticking or cracking? There are tips for that.
Let ‘Em Cool
Once your mince pies are finished baking, let them cool down completely before removing them from the tin. If they’re still hot when you try to take them out of the tin, chances are good that they’ll stick and break apart as soon as they come into contact with a cold surface (like a plate).
To avoid this problem, wait for your pies to cool down before removing them from their tins.
Arm Yourself with Utensils
If all else fails and your mince pies still manage to stick in their tins, don’t give up hope! You can use an offset spatula or another kitchen utensil (like a butter knife) to loosen any stubborn pieces stuck in place carefully.
Be careful not to accidentally tear apart any of your perfectly-baked pies while loosening them from the tins. The key is gentle persistence – if something doesn’t want to budge, keep trying until it does!
About Mince Pies
Mince pies are a traditional English sweet pie filled with mincemeat, a mixture of dried fruits, spices, and suet. The pies are usually served during Christmas and have been around since the 16th century.
Mince pies can be made with shortcrust pastry or puff pastry and filled with various ingredients such as apples, satsumas, lemon zest, icing sugar, brandy, or sherry.
They can also be topped with slivered almonds for extra crunch. Whether you make them from scratch or buy them pre-made, mince pies will surely be a hit at your holiday table!
Mincemeat pie. Credit: canva
FAQs
How long do mince pies last after baking?
Mince pies can last up to one week when stored in an airtight container. This will help keep them fresh and prevent any spoiling or drying out.
How do you get mince pies out of baking tray?
When removing mince pies from their pans, always use caution! A metal spatula is best as it won’t scratch up non-stick pans as other utensils might.
Sometimes gently shaking the baking tray helps loosen up any stuck bits of pie pieces – don’t shake too hard if there’s not much space between where they’ve cooked and the edges of the tin; otherwise, you could break apart some delicate crusts!
Should you warm mince pies?
It is not necessary to warm mince pies before serving. Warm them up in a low-heat oven for about 5 minutes. Be sure not to overheat them, as this will dry out the pastry and make it difficult to eat!
