Mince Pies, a family tradition!

Since having kids Christmas has become a time of keeping family traditions alive for me also making our own as a family. We're not overly religious and because I grew up in the UK there are many things that are done differently here in North America! My two are still small but this time of year is getting way more fun as my older one is now 4, he loves to help too which is brilliant! My girl has been teething bad the past couple weeks so I've had to accept the fast and easy recipes for baking holiday treats including the store bought cookie dough which is way better than my cookies anyway!!

I did really want to find the time to make these as I love them and they were always in the house growing up. My Nana made them so my mum always baked them for Christmas along with her famous fruit and marzipan iced Christmas cake. As kids we actually didn't like these mince pies until we got into our early teens and then it was a fight to get as many as we could, plus they go so well with a cuppa tea!

Growing up in the UK I am used to the overload of pastries, homemade breads and all types of pies so yummy! As I used to help my mum bake I went from memory (only texting my mum twice) which I think was pretty good! My mum uses heaped tablespoons for her ounces so I went ahead going from memory to try and make my mums famous pies! I think they turned out great, a little on the puffier side which I think is a result of the baking powder so use a little less if you like but I am very pleased and I think the rest of the family will be fighting for these next week for sure!!!

Ingredients:

8 ounces (or tbsp) flour

2 ounces margarine

2 ounces lard

1 ounce sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 jar traditional sweet mincemeat

Little milk to brush tops for browning

Little water (2 tbsp) for mixing pastry

Little icing sugar to sprinkle on top if desired

Mix flour, baking powder and sugar in bowl then rub in margarine and lard to create a breadcrumb like texture. Add water little by little to create your soft pastry dough then roll out and cut out your pie tops and bottoms. I used one of my cookie cutters that resembled the round pie shape that I needed! Place in a greased (i use spray oil) and like the picture above fill pie shells with a teaspoon of mincemeat. I made a few with my son's favorite raspberry jam because I know he probably won't like these to much! Dab a little milk around the edges of the tops and press down around the sides so they stick. Pierce with a fork and brush with a little milk and pop in oven for 25-30 mins on 375 degrees or until as brown as you want. They freeze well and I usually warm mine in the microwave.

Maybe this could be something a little different to offer your friends and family this holiday season! I know I am going to have a challenge getting more than one with my family around!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Nicky