Entering the realm of holiday baking, we embark on a journey to create something truly special – Mary Berry’s Mince Pies. These delectable treats, with their citrus-infused pastry and marzipan magic, are poised to elevate your Christmas gatherings to a new level of delight. If you’re looking to spread some Christmas cheer with a delightful treat, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing my own experience of making Mary Berry’s Mince Pies.
Mary Berry Mince Pies Recipe Overview:
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Servings: Makes approximately 12 mince pies
Ingredients:
Ingredients for Pastry:
- Butter: 110g ( Cold, cubed )
- Flour: 250g ( plain-flour )
- Icing sugar: 40g ( plus extra for dusting )
- Egg: 1 ( beaten )
- Orange zest: 1 large orange for zest
Ingredients for Filling:
- Dried apricots: 150g ( you can use ready to eat one)
- Mincemeat: 350g (good-quality ready-made)
- Marzipan: 175g (uncoloured, grated)
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and cold, cubed butter. Rub them together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Stir in the icing sugar and the grated zest of a large orange.
- Add the beaten egg and mix everything together until it forms a dough. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a little cold water.
- Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 6).
- Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 3mm thick. Use a round cutter to cut out 12 bases and 12 lids for your mince pies.
- Place the pastry bases into your mince pie tin.
- In each pastry base, add a spoonful of mincemeat and a sprinkle of finely chopped dried apricots.
- Top each mince pie with a layer of grated marzipan.
- Place the pastry lids on top of the mince pies and press the edges to seal them. You can use a festive cutter to make decorative shapes with any leftover pastry.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the pies are golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the mince pies from the tin and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- Dust with icing sugar before serving, and enjoy your homemade Mary Berry-inspired mince pies!
Tips and Tricks :
- Use cold butter and eggs for flakier pastry.
- Don’t Overwork the Dough. Mix until it forms a dough, overworking makes it tough.
- To chill the Pastry rest it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- While rolling try to aim for 3mm thickness for a balanced pie.
- Use extra pastry for festive shapes.
- Brush pastry lids with beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Let them cool in Tin. Wait briefly before moving to a wire rack.
With these tips, your Mary Berry Mince Pies will be a hit at your holiday gatherings.
Also Try: Mary Berry Macarons Recipe
Nutritional Value (per serving):
Calories: 250
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 22g
FAQs:
Can I make the pastry ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pastry a day ahead and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Can I use homemade mincemeat instead of ready-made?
Absolutely! Homemade mincemeat can add a personal touch to your mince pies.
What can I substitute for marzipan if I’m not a fan?
You can use a layer of almond paste or skip it altogether if you prefer.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can use gluten-free flour to make the pastry and ensure that your mincemeat is gluten-free as well. Many gluten-free flour blends work well for pastry, and you can find gluten-free mincemeat options in stores or make your own.
Can I freeze these mince pies?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked mince pies in a single layer. Then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion:
Mary Berry’s Mince Pies are a delightful addition to any festive celebration. With their aromatic orange pastry and hidden marzipan surprise, they’ll have everyone asking for seconds. These mince pies are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a joy to make and share during the holiday season. Enjoy!
Mary Berry Mince Pies Recipe
Ingredients
Ingredients for Pastry
- 110 g Butter Cold, cubed
- 250 g Flour plain-flour
- 40 g Icing sugar plus extra for dusting
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 Orange zest large orange for zest
Ingredients for Filling
- 150 g Dried apricots you can use ready to eat one
- 350 g Mincemeat good-quality ready-made
- 175 g Marzipan uncoloured, grated
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and cold, cubed butter. Rub them together with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Stir in the icing sugar and the grated zest of a large orange.
- Add the beaten egg and mix everything together until it forms a dough. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a little cold water.
- Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F/Gas Mark 6).
- Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 3mm thick. Use a round cutter to cut out 12 bases and 12 lids for your mince pies.
- Place the pastry bases into your mince pie tin.
- In each pastry base, add a spoonful of mincemeat and a sprinkle of finely chopped dried apricots.
- Top each mince pie with a layer of grated marzipan.
- Place the pastry lids on top of the mince pies and press the edges to seal them. You can use a festive cutter to make decorative shapes with any leftover pastry.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the pies are golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the mince pies from the tin and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- Dust with icing sugar before serving, and enjoy your homemade Mary Berry-inspired mince pies!