Mince Pies

Filling

360g (2 cups) dried mixed fruit

200g (1 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar

50g (1/3 cup) slivered almonds, finely chopped

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, quartered, cored, coarsely grated

40g butter, melted

2 tbs brandy

3 tsp finely grated lemon rind

1 tbs fresh lemon juice

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp mixed spice

Pinch of ground nutmeg

1 egg, lightly whisked

White sugar, to dust

Pastry

300g (2 cups) plain flour

70g (1/3 cup) caster sugar

160g chilled butter, chopped

1 egg yolk

2 tbs iced water

Finely chop half the mixed fruit. Place in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar, almond, apple, butter, brandy, lemon rind, lemon juice, cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg and the remaining mixed fruit. Stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside overnight, stirring occasionally, to macerate. Transfer the fruit mixture to a fine sieve over a bowl and stir to remove excess liquid. 

To make the pastry, place the flour, sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and water, and process until the mixture just starts to come together (see tip 1). Turn onto a clean work surface. Shape into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes to rest.

 Preheat oven to 180°C. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until 5mm thick. Use an 8.5cm-diameter round pastry cutter to cut 20 discs from the pastry. Use a 5cm-diameter star-shaped pastry cutter to cut 20 stars from the remaining pastry. Line twenty 80ml (1/3-cup) capacity muffin pans with pastry discs (see tip 2).Divide the fruit mince among the pastry cases. Top with pastry stars. Brush the stars lightly with the egg and sprinkle with white sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light golden. Set aside in the pans for 5 minutes to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serve with brandy custard or creme