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Waitrose

Hazelnut and Brandy Mini Mince Pies

For something really special, bake a batch of these delightful mini mince pies. The melt-in-the-mouth pastry cases are generously filled with mincemeat then crowned with lemon-flavoured icing and a roasted hazelnut. They make great gifts to share with friends and family, or wrap them individually and use as stocking fillers or table decorations.

Preparation time:
20 minutes, plus at least 30 minutes chilling and setting
Cooking time:
15-20 minutes, plus cooling
Total time:
1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes 60 minutes 10 minutes
Makes:
 about 36 pies
  • Christmas

Ingredients

  • 200g Waitrose Premium Plain White Flour, sifted
  • 100g cold butter, cubed
  • 25g ground almonds
  • 1 medium egg, beaten
  • ½ x 100g pack Waitrose Roman Hazelnuts
  • 411g jar Robertson's Brandy & Hazelnut Mincemeat
  • 50g icing sugar
  • Icing
  • 8 tbsp icing sugar
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Place the flour, butter, almonds, icing sugar and egg in a food processor and whizz until the mixture comes together and forms a ball. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead very gently. Wrap the pastry in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, place the hazelnuts on a non-stick baking tray and roast in the oven for 5-6 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool.
  3. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 3mm thickness. Cut out 36 rounds using a 6cm pastry cutter and line 3 x 12-hole mini bun tins. (You may have to re-roll the pastry to make 36 rounds, and if you only have 1 or 2 tins, make the pies in batches.) Fill each case with mincemeat.
  4. Bake the pies for 10-12 minutes, or until the pastry is just beginning to brown around the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
  5. Mix the icing sugar with enough lemon juice to make a smooth paste. Cover each mince pie with icing and top with a roasted hazelnut. Allow to set before packing into boxes. The pies will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container.