Mince Pies

I love mince pies.  To me Christmas is not Christmas without the smell of homemade mince pies baking in the oven.  My Grandmother was a fabulous sweet pastry cook and taught me from a young age to make these pies.

You will need:

• 225g/8oz plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 50g/2oz lard
• 50g/2oz butter
• Approx 2 tablespoons of cold water
• 2oz caster sugar

Mix flour and salt together.  Rub in the lard and butter.

Turn onto a floured surface and knead.  Roll out the party to approx 5mm thick and cut out equal numbers of mince pie tops and bottoms.  The bottoms should be larger than the tops.

Grease and flour your cake tray to avoid pies sticking and place the pie bottoms in.

Add some one good quality mincemeat and a little slug of brandy, mixing well if you like.

Using your finger put a little milk around the edge of the pastry and add the top lid, pressing down the edges.  Next brush milk over the lid and sprinkle some caster sugar over the top.

Bake in the oven at 180 until golden brown.  Leave to cool for 5 minutes before placing on a cooling rack to cool further.  If you would like them served warm let them cool for a least another 5 minutes on the cooling rack as the mincemeat is very hot and could burn your mouth.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy!