Minced Meat Pies (NO Added Sugar)

30 Mini (2 bite) Pies

Ingredients

Filling

1/2 Cup Almonds, chopped

1/3 Cup Dried Cherries, chopped

1/4 Cup Currants or Raisins

1/4 Cup Candied Oranges, small pieces

3 T Candied Ginger, chopped

1 Whole Apple, diced

1 Whole Orange, juiced

1/2 Cup Brandy

1/2 Cup Water

1 t Cinnamon

1/2 t Ginger

1/4 t Allspices

2 Dashes Nutmeg

2 T Butter

Pie Crust

1 1/2 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Butter, softened

1/2 t Salt

1 Egg

2 to 3 splashes Vinegar

Directions

• In a skillet pan add all of the filling ingredients, stir to combine ingredients.

• On medium/high heat cook and occasionally stir the filling till the liquid is reduced to 1/2 and is a bit thick. This will take about 30 minutes.

• Cool filling completely before putting it in the pie crust.

• While filling is cooking make the pie crust. Pre-heat oven 180˙C or 350˙F.

• In a bowl add the flour, salt and butter. With your fingers break up the butter into the flour, rubbing and breaking the butter with ONLY your fingertips.

• Once there is a crumbly dry mess add the egg and 2 splashes of the vinegar.

• With a fork fluff the mixture till it all comes together. If still dry add more vinegar.

• On a floured work bench gently knead the dough about 5 times.

• Roll out dough and cut circles (big enough to make a well for the minced meat). NOTE: not everyone has different size round/square cookie cutter. Use what you have-a glass cup, a square top, you can even make a template to help guide your cut outs.

• Then roll out dough again and make your tops. It can be square, a star, Christmas tree, as long as it covers the top of the pie.

• Place circle cut out into your muffin tin, do not press to the bottom of the muffin tin. Just a slight well (this is to help take out the pies when done)

• Fill the wells completely of filling. Then top with your decorative crust (I used a squared cutter)

• Bake for about 15 minutes or until top of the crust are brown and golden.

• Enjoy warm or at room temperature. We like our minced meat pies with creme fraiche.

The video is on Instagram Stories under Christmas. You can find the mini muffin tin and many more items I use on a daily basis on my Amazon Account.