Mincemeat Pies

Scottish mincemeat pies

Scottish Mincemeat pies

Time for some more festive Scottish delights

Mincemeat pies

No, no, no, there is no meat in Mincemeat Pies

What ? You ask

Well, for those of you that don't know, Mincemeat is a 'delicious mix of apple, dried fruits, candied peel and mixed spices' - I got that quote right from the jar's label

Apparently, back in days of old, meat was in there, and these pies were indeed a mix of savoury and sweet but nowadays in Scotland we just use the sweet fruit part

As a kid I used to wonder where the meat was, now I know, it has been eliminated over the centuries

It's fascinating to me that I am making a sweet treat enjoyed by fellow Scots centuries ago

You can make your own Mincemeat,

Mincemeat pies can be bought in stores back in Scotland at Christmas time and if I am lucky I can find a box of 6 in the International section of my grocery store here in Texas, I even found a jar of Mincemeat made by Cross and Blackwell there too, very exciting for this ex-pat

So to make these today I am using a jar of Mincemeat, for quick and easy mincemeat pies

Robertson's Mincemeat

Makes 12 large or 24 mini Pies

You will need

1 jar of Mincemeat
16oz/450g All purpose Plain Flour
1.5tsp Baking Powder
1 tbsp Sugar
dash of salt
6oz/170g Butter
Very Cold Water

• To make the dough, sift the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large bowl

Sift flour

• Break up the butter and rub it into the flour until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs

Breadcrumb mixture

• Bit by bit, add the cold water, mix and knead until a soft elastic dough is formed (be careful not to over knead as the air will go)

Shortcrust dough

• Place in a plastic bag and put in fridge to cool for 30 minutes-1hour

• Once ready, preheat oven to 375F/190C

• Lay dough out onto a floured surface, cut into two halves

Shortcrust Dough

• Roll out the first half, and cut out rounds. Gently place rounds into a muffin tin

Cut rounds

Pie bases

• Roll out the other half and cut out stars for the top

Star cut outs

• Take your Mincemeat and scoop a heaped teaspoon into each pie bottom

• Using a fork, mark a pretty edge around the pies

• Place a cut out pastry star on top

Mincemeat pies

• Brush lightly with egg or milk and sprinkle with sugar

Mincemeat pies

• Place in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes until slightly golden

Mincemeat Pies

• Leave to cool then dust lightly with powdered sugar and place on a plate to serve

Scottish Mincemeat Pies

Enjoy your Mincemeat Pie warm just as is

Or you can serve with cream or ice cream

These can also be enjoyed equally well cold

Thank you for stopping by and checking out one of my favorite pies of the season