Mince Pies

United Kingdom

About Mince Pies

Mince Pies are small, sweet British pastries filled with mincemeat, a spiced mixture of dried fruit, candied peel, sugar, suet and brandy. They are a classic Christmas treat, often dusted with icing sugar and served warm.

Despite the name, modern mincemeat usually contains no meat. Medieval versions were made with minced meat, fruit and spices, but over the centuries the meat disappeared and only the sweet, fruity filling remained.

Mince pies are eaten throughout December, often with brandy butter or cream. It is a British Christmas Eve tradition to leave a mince pie and a glass of sherry out for Father Christmas.

Ingredients

• shortcrust pastry
• dried fruit
• suet
• sugar
• spices
• brandy
• candied peel