We just love a good old mince pie; they're a sign that Christmas is just around the corner. But they are not everyone’s favourite and shop-bought mince pies can be unimpressive with way too much pastry and sugar.
So why not try something a little different to the traditional recipe and put a spin on the old classic to entice even the least keen mince-pie eater in your house?
Chocolate and orange mince pies
This recipe combines two of the best things about Christmas: mince pies and chocolate. Who doesn’t love a chocolate shortcrust pastry with a hint of orange? You could even add some orange zest to the mincemeat.
Mix the #superflour, sugar and cocoa powder together. Add the butter and rub together till you’ve got a breadcrumb consistency. Then bring together with the wet ingredients.
150 g Risen Super White Spelt Flour
25 g cocoa powder
75 g unsalted butter
25 g caster sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp whole milk
1 tsp of orange extract
Gingerbread mince pies
When you can’t decide if you want gingerbread or mince pies, why not combine them? The spicy pastry really compliments the tangy mincemeat and adding a touch of nutmeg to the filling, completes this festive combination.
250g Risen Super White Spelt Flour
120g butter, cubed
45g dark brown sugar
I large egg
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp mixed spice
Pinch of salt
To make this spicy pastry, mix the spices in with the #superflour and rub in the chilled butter until it is breadcrumb-like. Mix in the sugar and salt. Then add the egg and bring it together until it forms a dough. Wrap and chill for 30 mins.
Frangipane mince pies (recipe by @baked.by.alice)
You'll need deep baking trays for these as they are filled to the brim with both mincemeat and a delicate frangipane cakey topping. Like two treats in one.
Pastry:
200g Risen Super White Spelt Flour
100g butter
50g icing sugar
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp of milk
Rub the #superflour and butter together then mix in the sugar. Whisk together the egg and milk and add it into the mix. Bring together to make a dough.
Frangipane:
110g butter
110g sugar
2 eggs
60g Risen Super White Spelt Flour
60g ground almonds
½ tsp almond extract
Make the pastry cases in a muffin tin, add mincemeat (approx. 2 tsp) and top with frangipane mixture, sprinkled with flaked almonds.
3 other quick ways to add some magic to your mince pies are:
- Toasting nuts, crushing them up and adding it to the mincemeat. You can try pecan nuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts, walnuts etc
- Adding orange zest to your pastry for a citrus twist
- Drizzling white chocolate over your mince pies, instead of dusting with icing sugar
So why not get into the festive spirit, grab your bag of Super White Spelt Flour and a rolling pin, whack on the Christmas tunes and pimp up this Christmas tradition. The mince pie twist is what Christmas is all about!
