Easy Mince Pies

Ingredients

• 1 x jar mince meat
• 1 x short crust pastry
• Optional: Icing sugar for dusting on top
• Optional: Brandy (to taste)

Method

1. Pour the mince meat in a bowl and mix with a splash of brandy (to taste, if using).
2. Brush the 12-hole bun tin with butter to prevent the pastry from sticking.
3. Spread a thin layer of flour onto a clean kitchen surface. Using a rolling pin (or wine bottle if you don’t have a rolling pin), roll out the pastry until it’s thin making sure it’s not see through thin so it doesn’t tear
4. For the base of the mince pie, use a glass to press down on the pastry creating 12 perfect circles.
5. Press a round of pastry into the bottom of each hole. Fill each pastry case with a level tablespoon of mincemeat. Don’t overfill them as they will leak and make your mince pies stick to the tray.
6. Cut out 12 lids with a smaller pastry cutter. I used Christmas shapes – a star and Christmas tree
7. Bake at 190 degrees in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool for 5 minutes and serve with ice-cream or brandy butter