All Butter Mince Pies with Zesty Brandy Butter

All Butter Mince Pies with Zesty Brandy Butter

Zest up your mince pies by using this orange, buttery pastry recipe. The rich and luxurious orange flavours complement the traditional mince meat filling, and should be served warm with home-made brandy butter.

Preparation Time: 25 minutes plus soaking over night

Cooking Time: about 2 hours 30 minutes

Serves: 18

Ingredients:

·250g plain flour, sifted plus extra for rolling

·140g Country Life block butter, chilled and cubed

·100g icing sugar, sifted

·2 eggs

·1 egg yolk

·Zest of 1 orange

·250g luxury mincemeat

·1 egg, lightly beaten

·Icing sugar, for dusting

Method:

1. Place the flour and butter in food processor and whizz for 40 seconds.  Add sugar, 1 egg and the yolk and orange zest. Mix until mix leaves the sides.  Spoon onto cling film and chill for at least 1 hour.

2. Preheat the oven to 190°C/fan170°C/ 375 °F, gas mark 5

3. Lightly beat the remaining egg. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll out the pastry until it is 2mm thick. Stamp out 18 x 7.5cm rounds with a pastry cutter and put in the base of 2 patty trays. Brush the edges with egg.

4. Stamp out 18 x 6cm rounds for the lids and use the remaining pastry to stamp out 18 star or snowflake shapes.  Brush the tops with egg wash and top with the pastry shapes.  Brush again with the egg wash.  Place these on top of the mincemeat, sealing to the edges of the bases.

5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown. Lightly dust with icing sugar.

Zesty Brandy Butter

Make double the quantity and keep in an airtight container and use over the festive period with mince pies or with warm Christmas pudding.

Ingredients:

·150g butter, softened

·6 tbsp icing sugar

·1 orange, zest finely grated

·1 tbsp Grand Marnier(optional)

·2 tbsp good brandy

Method:

1. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon or preferably an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add the orange zest, Grand Marnier (if using) and brandy and beat until well combined. Chill until ready to serve.

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