Traditional Mince Pies with a Hint of Cinnamon

Introduction: Prepare to embrace the holiday season with a timeless classic: Traditional Mince Pies with a hint of warm cinnamon. These delectable pies are a staple of festive gatherings, exuding the cozy flavors of mixed dried fruit, apples, and a touch of brandy. In this recipe, we'll guide you through creating these iconic holiday treats, complete with a buttery pastry and a mincemeat filling that boasts a hint of cinnamon for that extra touch of warmth and comfort.

Ingredients:

For the Mincemeat Filling:

• 1 cup of mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas)
• 1/2 cup of chopped apples (peeled and cored)
• 1/4 cup of suet (vegetable suet for a vegetarian version)
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of chopped almonds
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup of brandy or dark rum (optional)

For the Pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
• 2-3 tablespoons cold water
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Prepare the Mincemeat Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the mincemeat filling – mixed dried fruit, chopped apples, suet, brown sugar, chopped almonds, lemon zest, orange zest, lemon juice, orange juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and brandy or rum if you're using it. Mix everything together until well combined. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit for at least a few hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

Make the Pastry: In a separate bowl, sift the flour and add the cubed cold butter. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add a pinch of salt and then gradually add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture comes together into a dough. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

Chill the Pastry: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the pastry to relax and makes it easier to roll out.

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Roll Out the Pastry: On a floured surface, roll out the pastry to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (3mm).

Cut Out the Pastry Rounds: Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out rounds of pastry to line your tart tins. You'll need both a bottom and a top crust for each mince pie.

Fill the Pies: Line your tart tins with the pastry rounds, then fill each with a spoonful of the prepared mincemeat filling.

Create Lids: You can cut out smaller rounds for the pie lids or get creative with festive shapes using cookie cutters.

Seal the Pies: Place the pastry lids on top of the filled tarts. Press the edges together to seal, and use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative finish.

Bake: Place the mince pies in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.

Serve: Let the mince pies cool in the tins for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy: Once they've cooled, dust with powdered sugar for a festive touch, and enjoy your delicious Traditional Mince Pies with a hint of cinnamon!

Embrace the holiday spirit with these classic mince pies, lovingly crafted to perfection and enriched with the comforting flavor of cinnamon. Share these treats with friends and family or savor them with a warm cup of tea for a heartwarming experience that's quintessentially festive.