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

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.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
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.