Festive Mince Pies with a Twist: A Fun Family Baking Activity

Nothing says Christmas quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked mince pies wafting through your home. Our mince pies recipe offers a wholesome twist on this classic festive treat, combining a buttery spelt pastry with a naturally sweetened filling of fruits and spices.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or enjoying a quiet family baking day, these mince pies are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer. Plus, the process of making these pies is just as enjoyable as eating them! With easy-to-follow steps, they’re the perfect opportunity to get your kids involved in festive baking fun.

This recipe uses We Might Be Tiny Christmas Stampies to create beautifully stamped pastry lids, adding a touch of magic to each pie. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

For the Pastry:

• 300 g (3 cups) spelt flour
• 150 g butter, cut into cubes
• 80 g coconut sugar
• 1 egg

For the Filling:

• 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• 2 apples, peeled and cut into small pieces
• Juice of an orange
• 3 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
• 3 tbsp sultanas
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp ginger
• 2 star anise

Method

Preparing the Pastry:

1. Preheat your oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Add all pastry ingredients to a high-speed food processor and blitz until a dough forms.
3. Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to approximately 2.5 mm thickness. Transfer the dough, still covered, to a flat surface in the fridge to chill for 15 minutes.

Making the Filling:

1. While the pastry chills, place all filling ingredients into a medium-sized pan and stir to combine.
2. Cover the pan and let the mixture simmer gently for about 25 minutes, or until the fruit becomes soft and fragrant. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Remove the star anise and set the filling aside to cool slightly.

Assembling the Mince Pies:

1. Remove the chilled pastry from the fridge. Using the rim of a pint glass or a round cookie cutter, cut out eight circles for the pie bases.
2. Gently press the pastry circles into a tart or muffin tray. Add a heaped tablespoon of the prepared filling to each.
3. Using We Might Be Tiny Stampies, cut out eight more pastry circles, stamping them with your favourite festive designs.
4. Place the stamped pastry lids on top of the filled pies, pressing gently around the edges to seal.

Baking:

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
2. Allow the pies to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with a dollop of cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Alternative Fillings

Switch up your mince pies with these fun and creative filling ideas:

• Mixed Berry Delight: Replace the apples and carrots with a mix of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries for a tart yet sweet twist.
• Chocolate Hazelnut: Add a layer of chocolate spread or crushed hazelnuts for a decadent treat.
• Tropical Christmas: Swap the apples and sultanas for mango, pineapple, and shredded coconut for a summery vibe.
• Classic Mincemeat: Use a jar of your favourite mincemeat if you’re short on time but still want that classic flavour.

Get the Kids Involved

Make this recipe a memorable family activity with these fun ways to involve the little ones:

• Stamp the Pastry: Kids will love choosing their favourite Stampies character to decorate the pie lids.
• Mix the Filling: Let them help stir the filling ingredients in the pan (with supervision, of course).
• Cut Out Shapes: Younger kids can help cut out the pastry circles with cookie cutters or a glass rim.
• Assemble the Pies: Older children can spoon the filling into the pastry cases and place the stamped lids on top.

Not only does this make baking more fun, but it also encourages kids to take pride in the festive treats they’ve helped create.

Serve and Enjoy

These mince pies are best enjoyed slightly warm, fresh from the oven. Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice-cream, or a drizzle of brandy custard for an extra indulgent touch.

Bake these delicious mince pies in We Might Be Tiny tableware for a stylish and functional baking experience. Designed to spark joy and make baking easy, our tools bring a modern touch to classic traditions.

Try this recipe for your next family baking day and share the joy of homemade mince pies this Christmas!

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