In our house, at Christmas time, I don’t think there is anything that is as highly anticipated as the making of these pies.
Well, apart from opening gifts on Christmas morning !
Calendars are marked, count downs are set and on December 1st – the pestering requests begin.
I know, I know this recipe is a little more work than I usually like to do as there is some dough chilling and rolling involved ( no pre-baking though ) which is probably one reason that I only make them once a year but hear me when I say, apart from a little exercise in patience they are super, super easy to make and 100% worth it.
Subtly sweet, deliciously buttery, light, crisp pastry stuffed with a jammy, sweet, perfectly spiced fruit filling that truly is incredible!
I like to make a batch on Christmas Eve, ready to enjoy with our little lady, after dinner, while we read the night before Christmas before tucking her in to bed (and my marathon wrapping session begins) and of course we make sure we have enough to leave out for Santa.
Serve them simply as they are, add a dusting of powdered sugar and a nice cold class of milk, a nice cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or warm beverage of choice.
Add a dollop of cream, custard and/or ice cream – or a combination of all three, after all, it is Christmas.
Super simple, super delicious, healthy, homemade fruit mince pies.
🌟Gluten Free 🌟 Dairy Free 🌟 Grain Free 🌟 Nut Free 🌟 Refined Sugar Free 🌟 Paleo Friendly🌟
Such a fun little family tradition and I would love nothing more than to have you join us.
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Persons: 12-24
- Difficulty: Easy
- Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour of choice – I use Bob’s Red Mills cup for cup GF Baking Blend
Paleo friends you could try this “easy paleo pie crust” from Michelle aka – The Paleo Running Momma - 1/3 cup monk fruit sweetener – or granulated sweetener of choice
- Pinch of salt flakes
- 150g cold butter or ghee, chopped
- 1 egg, separated
- 4 Tbsp cold water
- 1-2 Cups of Fruit mince – homemade or store bought
- Instructions
- Sift flour, sugar and your pinch of salt into a large bowl.
- Add chopped butter/ghee, crumble together until mixture resembles coarse (but fine) bread crumbs. You can use a food processor if you like but I prefer to use my hands. There is something satisfying about crumbling the butter into the flour and getting your hands good and dirty….its almost therapeutic…..don’t you think??
- Add in your egg yolk and 1 Tbsp of water.
- Using a butter knife cut the egg yolk and water into the mixture until it comes together to start to form a sticky dough
- Add 2 more tablespoons of water and use your hand to mix it and press into a soft dough. If you need to add the extra tablespoon of water go for it. I think it depends a lot on the weather, sometimes I need it…sometimes I don’t….
- Wrap dough in cling wrap and refrigerate for 20-30 mins.
- When your ready to bake, remove dough from the fridge and preheat oven to 175’C (350’F)
- Cut off a section of your dough
- Roll out the dough into a nice, thin late (approx 1-2mm)
- Cut out your pie base, collect scraps and wrap back in cling wrap so dough doesn’t dry out while you fill your pies.
- Carefully put your pie base into (a lightly greased) muffin tray
- Fill with fruit mince – set aside
- Roll another thin layer of pie dough and cut out your lids – You can use any shape cutter you want, I like stars 🙂
- Carefully place the lids and gently press edges to seal top to bottom.
- Lightly brush with egg white and bake for 20-30 mins. Until golden brown and fruit filling is bubbling deliciously.
- Allow pies to cool in the tray for 5 mins then transfer to wire rack to cool
- Once cooled dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Enjoy xoxo
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Question of the day –
What’s your fave holiday tradition?
Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make your healthy, homemade fruit mince pies (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) go ahead and snap a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or tag me on twitter or Instagram. Sharing is caring remember.
Do it, do it You know you want to 🙂
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