My mom's easy mince pies are my go-to dessert — and they never fail to impress

Chloe PantaziJan 15, 2024, 15:44 IST

The author makes her mom's mince pies, based on a Waitrose recipe, for the holidays.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Whenever I spend the holidays in the US, I make my mom's mince pies.
The sweet treat filled with dried fruit, spices, and brandy makes me feel like I'm back in the UK.

For me, it's not Christmas without a mince pie.

I grew up eating the baked treat every year in the UK at holiday parties, but the best are the ones my mom makes, usually enjoyed in front of the Christmas tree and a cheesy festive film with a mug of mulled wine.

Not to be confused with a meat pastry, a mince pie is made with "mincemeat" comprised of dried fruits and spices soaked in brandy and encased in shortcrust pastry.

I learned recently that mincemeat wasn't always sweet, and, according to the Food Network, got its name from methods used in 15th-century Britain to preserve cuts of meat with added sugar and booze. At some point, mincemeat stopped having meat in it (thankfully).

My mom's method is based on an old recipe from the British supermarket, Waitrose. It's relatively easy, doesn't require many ingredients, and most of the time is spent letting the dough rest. (It just so happens that the two-hour break is enough time to watch a Hallmark movie.)

Now that I live in the US, I make my mom's mince pies every year when I don't get back home for the holidays. My husband always looks forward to me making them, and I've gotten rave reviews from friends.

Here's how to do it.

As a Brit living in the US, I make mince pies every year I'm stateside for the holidays.

There's nothing better than a mince pie in front of the Christmas tree.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

The recipe is actually from the UK supermarket, Waitrose, and it’s almost completely foolproof.

They're sure to stand out in your holiday spread.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

The recipe makes 24 mini mince pies. You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make them, and most should already be in your pantry.

All the ingredients you need.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

In terms of equipment, you'll need a few extra accouterments beyond your standard mixing bowls.

Some of the equipment you'll need.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

The first step is to mix the confectioners' sugar and softened butter in a food processor, or with an electric mixer, until smooth.

Pro tip: Use the spatula to smooth over the mixture after whisking.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Next, add your egg, flour, ground almonds or almond flour, and orange zest to the bowl with your butter and sugar mixture.

It shouldn't be overmixed.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Transfer the mixture onto a floured countertop and gently work the pastry into a ball using your hands.

It might require a little elbow grease.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Place the pastry in a bowl, cover it, and pop it in the fridge. Set a timer for at least two hours, and relax.

Put the pastry and yourself to rest for two hours.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Two or more hours later, it's time to make the pastry cases for your mince pies. Take your pastry out of the fridge and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

The pastry cases are small but mighty.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

To make the pie cups, place parchment paper or cling wrap on a floured countertop then put approximately three-quarters of the pastry on top, before adding a second sheet of parchment or cling wrap. Then, roll until the pastry is about 3 millimeters thick.

My pastry didn't look pretty rolled out, but it still worked!Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

To make the pie cups, place parchment paper or cling wrap on a floured countertop then put approximately three-quarters of the pastry on top, before adding a second sheet of parchment or cling wrap. Then, roll until the pastry is about 3 millimeters thick.

Once you've rolled out your pastry, take the larger cutter and cut 24 circles. Grease your pan with a little butter, then carefully place the pastry circles into your cupcake tin.

It doesn't have to be a perfect rectangle.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Once you've rolled out your pastry, take the larger cutter and cut 24 circles. Grease your pan with a little butter, then carefully place the pastry circles into your cupcake tin.

Add about a teaspoon of mincemeat to each pastry cup in your tin.

Try not to over or under-fill with mincemeat.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Then, pick up the remainder of your dough and repeat the process of rolling out the pastry to a 3-millimeter thickness in a parchment paper or cling wrap sandwich. Then, use the smaller cutter to cut 24 lids out of the pastry.

This process should be familiar.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Then, pick up the remainder of your dough and repeat the process of rolling out the pastry to a 3-millimeter thickness in a parchment paper or cling wrap sandwich. Then, use the smaller cutter to cut 24 lids out of the pastry.

Wet the edges of each circle with some water, and firmly affix atop your mincemeat-loaded pastry cups. Prick with a fork on top. Then pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they're golden brown.

Don't worry, I remembered to pierce the mince pie in the top far right with a fork before baking.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Wet the edges of each circle with some water, and firmly affix atop your mincemeat-loaded pastry cups. Prick with a fork on top. Then pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they're golden brown.

Once the pies are out of the oven, and after they've sat in the pan for a few minutes, gently nudge them out of the cupcake tin and transfer to a cooling rack.

Don't worry if they don't look perfect — confectioners' sugar hides everything.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Finally, dust your cooled mince pies with some confectioners' sugar for that just-snowed look.

Don't skimp on confectioners' sugar.Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

Serve and enjoy.

They're perfect enjoyed with an episode of "The Crown."Chloé Pantazi-Wolber/Business Insider

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My mom's easy mince pies are my go-to dessert &mdash; and they never fail to impress

As a Brit living in the US, I make mince pies every year I'm stateside for the holidays.

The recipe is actually from the UK supermarket, Waitrose, and it’s almost completely foolproof.

The recipe makes 24 mini mince pies. You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make them, and most should already be in your pantry.

In terms of equipment, you'll need a few extra accouterments beyond your standard mixing bowls.

The first step is to mix the confectioners' sugar and softened butter in a food processor, or with an electric mixer, until smooth.

Next, add your egg, flour, ground almonds or almond flour, and orange zest to the bowl with your butter and sugar mixture.

Transfer the mixture onto a floured countertop and gently work the pastry into a ball using your hands.

Place the pastry in a bowl, cover it, and pop it in the fridge. Set a timer for at least two hours, and relax.

Two or more hours later, it's time to make the pastry cases for your mince pies. Take your pastry out of the fridge and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

To make the pie cups, place parchment paper or cling wrap on a floured countertop then put approximately three-quarters of the pastry on top, before adding a second sheet of parchment or cling wrap. Then, roll until the pastry is about 3 millimeters thick.

Once you've rolled out your pastry, take the larger cutter and cut 24 circles. Grease your pan with a little butter, then carefully place the pastry circles into your cupcake tin.

Add about a teaspoon of mincemeat to each pastry cup in your tin.

Then, pick up the remainder of your dough and repeat the process of rolling out the pastry to a 3-millimeter thickness in a parchment paper or cling wrap sandwich. Then, use the smaller cutter to cut 24 lids out of the pastry.

Wet the edges of each circle with some water, and firmly affix atop your mincemeat-loaded pastry cups. Prick with a fork on top. Then pop them in the oven for 10-15 minutes until they're golden brown.

Once the pies are out of the oven, and after they've sat in the pan for a few minutes, gently nudge them out of the cupcake tin and transfer to a cooling rack.

Finally, dust your cooled mince pies with some confectioners' sugar for that just-snowed look.

Serve and enjoy.

My mom's easy mince pies are my go-to dessert — and they never fail to impress