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Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy

Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy. Traditional English style pastry tarts for Christmas with a fruit and spice filling that’s favoured with clementines and brandy.

The beautifully fragrant and flavourful filling in Mince Pies with clementine and brandy.

The beautifully fragrant and flavourful filling in Mince Pies with clementine and brandy.

Mince Pies are practically a British institution. This favourite Holiday pastry simply cannot be done without, during the festive season. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without them.

Mince Pies or Mincemeat Pies have nothing to do with meat… or at least they don’t anymore. These little pastries are filled with a fruit and spice filling but at one time meat might be added basically as a status symbol, showing that you could afford to put meat in them.

Mince Pies with clementine and brandy, just out of the oven.

Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy

As far back as Medieval times, reference can be found to pies made with a combination of fruit and meat filling. Meat pies of course, are very traditional in the UK, but the term “pie” as used there is often confusing to North Americans.

In North America, a pie is a full size pastry to be cut in slices but in the UK, individual servings of hand held pastries are almost always called “pies”. In North America we would be much more likely to call these Mince Tarts.

Mini Turnover version of Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy.

Mini Turnover version of Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy.

No matter what you can them these incredibly flavourful little pastries are the epitome of christmas flavours. The intense filling flavour comes from a combination of dried and fresh fruits, plenty of Christmas spices, a punch of citrus from seasonal Holiday clementines, and finished with an addition of brandy.

What could be more Christmas than that?

The beautifully fragrant and flavourful filling in Mince Pies with clementine and brandy.

The beautifully fragrant and flavourful filling in Mince Pies with clementine and brandy.

This year, because the filling is so flavourful, I also made some mini turnovers using the same filling and pastry. A couple of batches of those would also make ideal Christmas food gifts too!

Mini Turnover version of Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy.

Mini Turnover version of Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy.

Like this Mince Pies recipe?

If you’re looking for other food gift ideas for the Holidays or just lots of seasonal recipe suggestions for both cooking and baking, be sure to browse our Christmas Recipes Category.

Mince Pies with clementine and brandy on a slate serving board with Christamas decorations in the background.

Mince Pies with clementine and brandy

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You might also like to check out our entire collection of Best Christmas Cakes.

Best Newfoundland Christmas Cake Recipes

Best Newfoundland Christmas Cake Recipes

5 from 3 votes
The beautifully fragrant and flavourful filling in Mince Pies with clementine and brandy.
Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
 
Mince Pies with Clementine and Brandy - traditional English style pastry tarts for Christmas with a fruit and spice filling that's favoured with clementines and brandy.
Servings: 18 or more tarts
Author: Barry C. Parsons
Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups raisins chopped
  • 1 cup dried dates finely chopped
  • 2 apples peeled and grated
  • zest of 2 clementines finely minced
  • juice of four clementines
  • 1 1/2 cups apple juice
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 cup brandy to add when the mincemeat is cooled
Instructions
  1. To prepare the mincemeat filling
  2. Peel 2 of the clementines and then scrape as much of the white pith as you can from the inside, using a small paring knife. Finely chop the clementine zest.
  3. Add it to a medium sized saucepan over low heat along with all of the other ingredients EXCEPT the brandy.
  4. Simmer very slowly until the mixture forms a thick jammy paste, stirring often. About 20-25 minutes.

  5. Allow the mixture to cool completely to room temperature before stirring in the brandy.
  6. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. This can be made a couple of weeks in advance at least or much longer if you put it in mason jars and can it properly. Refer to the jar manufacturers instructions.
To make the mince pies
  1. The pastry for this recipe is the same one I use for my Butter Tarts recipe. I cut them out exactly the same as butter tarts  but also cut out rounds that are just a little larger than the tops of the muffin tins.

  2. I then fill the pastry shells, top with the small circle of dough, pinch the edges and cut a small cross in the centre with the tip of a sharp knife. 
  3. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 -30 minutes util light golden brown. 
  4. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container. These Mince Pies can also be frozen when baked.
Recipe Notes

 Notes: For the pastry recipe click here.


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Recipe Rating




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Pat Marrion

Wednesday 18th of December 2019

What can I use in place of clementines? Never see them here.

Marybeth

Friday 7th of December 2018

Hi Barry I love your recipes thank you. In your War Cake recipe can i substitute currants for raisins? I am going to make your Christmas Pudding recipe..wish me luck!!😊. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Barry C. Parsons

Friday 14th of December 2018

Sure.

Ann Brinston

Wednesday 5th of December 2018

How would not adding the actual brandy affect the final taste of the mincemeat pies? I'm thinking our grandchildren would enjoy them a bit too much if I do add it! I've not used brandy extract before.

Barry C. Parsons

Thursday 20th of December 2018

replace it with apple or grape juice.

Elaine DeFelice

Tuesday 2nd of January 2018

Hello Barry Thank you for the Newfoundland Cod Cake recipe. I had an extra lb of salted cod and found your recipe. OMG it was great. They turned out just like your pictures and what a great flavor. I tried to think of a dipping sauce but, decided on squeezing a lemon on them and it was perfect. Thank you for providing recipes from your island and culture. I am from Michigan and I’m learning many things about your beautiful home. I follow Tom Eagan photos and your food- what a great combo for feeding ones soul. Happy 2018!!

Marion

Saturday 23rd of December 2017

Hi Barry,

I am living in England, so you website is a real blessing because it has so many recipes that I remember growing up in Newfoundland. The picture of the mince turnovers brings back memories of home. That is the way my mom made them and still does even at age 93.

All the best for 2018

Barry C. Parsons

Saturday 23rd of December 2017

And a very Merry Christmas to you too Marion!

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