Easy Mince Pie Recipe (2024)

Updated: by Corina Blum · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 28 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This easy mince pie recipe really will convince you there's no need to buy mince pies again! They're made with a simple shortbread pie crust that makes them deliciously buttery and crumbly. They're simple, tasty and your kids can help make them too! Perfect for some Christmas baking.

Easy Mince Pie Recipe (1)

So, it's only November but I am already posting my second Christmas recipe. Until trying these I would have said I wasn't really that keen on mince pies. I would eat a few every Christmas but I wouldn't look forward to them and I wouldn't miss them if they weren't there. I wouldn't buy them and until now, I wouldn't have made them either.

Mince pies are a great recipe to make with kids!

So, what's changed? Well, Little Miss Spice loves play dough and she loves to make star shapes with it. As I hadn't done any baking with her, I decided that letting her cut out the tops of the mince pies would be the perfect way to introduce her to some real baking.

Now, if you're going to get a one year old to help with baking then you need an easy recipe! I promise you, these mince pies are not just easy, they are possibly the tastiest ever mince pie recipe!

Easy Mince Pie Recipe (2)

The mince pie pastry is like a shortbread biscuit!

The shortbread dough is very forgiving and can be thrown around a lot and still makes great biscuity pastry case. That's what you want, isn't it? Some bought mince pies can be a bit like cardboard but these are so delightfully crumbly. They're like shortbread.

Admittedly, maybe a less shortbready dough would have been easier. The dough takes a lot of work to actually come together and form a dough. When I first made these I didn't think it wasn't going to work as it kept just crumbling apart but eventually it did and it was definitely worth it.

The pastry is sweet and buttery and tastes like shortbread. I even made little biscuits with the leftover dough and they were lovely eaten just as they were.

A really fuss free pastry technique

This mince pie recipe is easy but you do need a little patience. What makes it a really fuss free pastry recipe is that you can just press the dough into the muffin tin so don't worry too much if it keeps crumbling up.

I promise you, these shortbread mince pies are incredibly delicious. So delicious that I will be making a few more batches and putting them in the freezer for over Christmas, which means there's still no need to go out and buy any mince pies.

If you wanted these to look a little bit more special for guests you could dust them with icing sugar. However, I don't always bother. I think they are perfect just like this. They are sweet and rich with crumbly buttery pastry.

Sometimes though, if I want a real treat on Christmas day evening, I enjoy one topped with leftover rum sauce!

Easy Mince Pie Recipe (3)

Can you adapt this mince pie recipe?

Of course you can! What if it's not Christmas or you don't like mince meat? Go ahead and add a different filling. They're delicious with stewed fruit too

What about if you're really struggling with that crumbly pastry? Why not just crumble it onto the top of the mince meat and you'll have crumble topped mince pies?

Make them look a bit prettier by dusting with icing sugar. Or brush them with egg and scatter on some flaked almonds before baking.

I don't think they need chocolate but I have even seen mince pies drizzled with chocolate! Be creative if you want. Go on have fun with some Christmas baking!

How long can you keep these shortbread mince pies?

These easy mince pies will keep for about a week in an airtight container. If you want them to last longer then freeze some of them. They'll freeze for up to three months. Just defrost at room temperature before eating .

Easy Mince Pie Recipe (4)

More Christmas baking recipes

I love experimenting in the kitchen at this time of year. I've discovered that my children love spicy biscuits and cookies so I've made lebkuchen, gingerbread biscuits and buttery chocolate chip biscuits for them.

We also love puff pastry and these almond rolls are always a hit too!

Recipe

Easy Mince Pie Recipe (5)

Mince Pies

Corina Blum

This easy mince pie recipe really will convince you there's no need to buy mince pies again! They're simple, tasty and your kids can help make them too!

4.49 from 37 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine British

Servings 18

Calories 240 kcal

Ingredients

  • 350 g plain flour
  • 225 g butter at room temperature
  • 100 g sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 350 g mincemeat

Instructions

  • Chop the butter up and then rub it into the flour with your fingertips. Add the salt and sugar and mix together.

  • Using your hands, press, knead and combine the pastry into a ball without adding any extra liquid. Although it will keep crumbling up at first it will form a dough after a few minutes. Just don't give up.

  • Wrap the dough in cling film and put it in the fridge to rest until you need it or go straight to step 4.

  • Pull off lumps of the dough and place them in the muffin tin. Just use your thumb and fingers to press the dough down and line the tins.

  • Add a couple of teaspoons of mincemeat to each pie.

  • Roll or press the remaining pastry down and use pastry cutters to make the tops of the pies. If you have any extra pastry left, just cut out shapes with the pastry cutters to make little shortbread biscuits.

  • Bake in the oven at 180C for 20 minutes. If you have any extra biscuits they will cook in about 8 - 12 minutes, depending on how thick they are.

Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and a guideline only.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 198mgPotassium: 23mgSugar: 18gVitamin A: 310IUCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.9mg

Keyword easy mince pies

Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram @Searchingforspice

Keep in touch

Do let me know if you make these easy mince pies or any of my other recipes.

I love to get feedback from readers. You can also stay up to date by following onInstagram,FacebookandTwitter.

More Dessert Recipes

  • Strawberry Tofu Mousse (Vegan, GF, Dairy Free)
  • Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Lollies (Vegan)
  • Chocolate Cheesecake Dip (Just 3 Ingredients!)
  • Stewed Rhubarb with Cinnamon

About Corina Blum

Corina Blum loves easy healthy recipes that taste great and often involve spices. She's a big fan of air frying and loves developping recipes inspired by global flavours. As well as a food content creator shes also a busy mum of two children.

Get weekly post updates!

Privacy Policy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Roz

    Hi, can the mince pies or pastry be frozen then baked when needed.
    Thanks Roz

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      Hi Roz
      Yes, the pastry can be frozen and then defrosted and made into mince pies. Ideally defrost in the fridge but you can defrost in the kitchen at room temperature too.
      Because of the way I pressed the pastry into the tin before filling then it is harder to fill them and then freeze them before baking as they would stick to the tin. Alternatively you can bake them and then freeze them once cooled. You could then bake them again to reheat when needed. They would probably need about 5 minutes in the oven from frozen if they were already cooked. Or if you have an air fryer, you could reheat them in the air fryer as well.

      Reply

  2. Karen

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (10)
    THE BEST mince pies EVER!! Thank you for sharing, this recipe is definitely a keeper. Just delicious

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      Thank you so much Karen! I'm really pleased you like them - I need to make a batch for this year soon too!

      Reply

  3. Christine

    These are the best mince pies ever. You have to follow the recipe exactly. No water, no egg and especially no rolling the pastry! You squash a ball of pastry into each section on the baking tin.

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      I'm so pleased you like them! I also think they're the best mince pies ever!

      Reply

  4. jenny walters

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (11)
    Gosh these look incredible and the pastry sounds just divine. I LOVE pastry and I just love how thick yours is. Every now and then a recipe gets into my brain and I keep thinking about it. This is one of those! Your pics are so gorgeous I am going to have to make these. Thank you so much for sharing with #BakingCrumbs

    • Corina Blum

      I definitely love pastry too and probably for mince pies I love the pastry more than the filling! It does turn out quite thick on these because of the way you just push it into the baking tray!

      Reply

  5. Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (12)
    I never even knew what mince meat WAS for the longest time! I like it, but I'm alone in my family. So, I'll take your suggestion to use a different filling. I love the sound of the crumbly, shortbread-y crust!

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      I have to admit my children like the pastry more than they like the filling too! The crust is really good.

      Reply

  6. Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (13)
    Christmas season simply wouldn't be the same without mince pies and these look fab Corina! The more buttery pastry is the better! I love how generous you are with your pastry too (for me it's always the best bit to be honest lol)! Thank you for sharing your festive bake with #BakingCrumbs 🙂 Hope you all have fantastic Christmas! xx

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      I have to be generous with the pastry as that's the only bit Little Miss Spice eats. I have to eat her filling! Hope you have a great Christmas too x

      Reply

  7. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (14)
    I love the idea of using shortbread pastry instead of the traditional shortcrust! They must be delicious 😀 I love making mince pies with my kids too. At 8 and 10 they are pretty much old enough to make them by themselves, with just a bit of guidance from me... but I remember the days when they were really little and just loved 'playing' with the dough. I've made mince pies with mine since they were tiny and it's o lovely to see their progress each year! Thanks for linking them up to #CookBlogShare. Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas! Eb x

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      Thanks Eb! It is lovely to see their progress, isn't it? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas x

      Reply

  8. Sonal

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (15)
    We were in London this thanksgiving. Loved tasting the minced pies there.. buttery and filled with goodness.
    I am always confused on what actually is minced meat? Is it real meat? Or minced dry fruits?

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      It's dried fruit with spices, although I believe it did used to contain meat as well a long time ago!

      Reply

    • Julia

      Nowadays it’s just fruit and maybe alcohol and nuts etc but way back when they were first made it was with actual meat and a sweet filling!

      Reply

  9. Chris Collins

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (16)
    I'm always on the hunt for new mince pie recipes and this one looks like a real winner! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      I'm so pleased you like it Chris!

      Reply

  10. kim

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (17)
    This is delicious and so festive for the holidays!

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      Definitely! Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a mince pie or two!

      Reply

  11. Taylor W.

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (18)
    Love the stars on top! These look so yummy!

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      Thanks! I love my star cutters and so do the children!

      Reply

  12. Emily

    Easy Mince Pie Recipe (19)
    I've always wanted to try a mince meat pie! I had no idea that is was both sweet and savory.

    Reply

    • Corina Blum

      It's not savoury Emily! Mincemeat for mince pies is a sweet mixture of dried fruit and peel with spices. I think a long time ago it contained meat as well and it still usually contains suet.

      Reply

  13. Jac -Tinned Tomatoes (@tinnedtoms)

    They look gorgeous! Now I am craving mince pies!

    Thanks for entering it into Bookmarked recipes, the roundup is now up.

    Reply

  14. Laura

    Mmmm, these sound good and you've made them look brill too. I've worked with a shortbread type pastry before and agree it was a bit frustrating at first but so worth it in the end. Thanks for sharing with the Biscuit Barrel challenge!

    Reply

  15. magnolia verandah

    Love those stars - I bet they were so worth the effort. I can just about taste that lovely buttery pastry from here.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Easy Mince Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the filling in mince pies made of? ›

A mince pie (also mincemeat pie in North America, and fruit mince pie in Australia and New Zealand) is a sweet pie of English origin filled with mincemeat, being a mixture of fruit, spices and suet. The pies are traditionally served during the Christmas season in much of the English-speaking world.

What are the ingredients in mince pie? ›

What's the difference between mince pie and meat pie? ›

“A mince pie is a sweet pie of British origin, filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices called "mincemeat", that is traditionally served during the Christmas season in much of the English-speaking world (Wikipedia). “A meat pie is a pie with a filling of meat and often other savory ingredients.

What was traditionally in mince pies? ›

Mince pies were first served in the early middle ages, and the pies were quite sizeable, filled with a mixture of finely minced meat, chopped up fruit and a preserving liquid. Mincemeat originally came about as a good way of preserving meat, without salting, curing, smoking or drying it.

Why is mincemeat so expensive? ›

Mincemeat isn't difficult to make, but it has a lot of ingredients, which can make it expensive to produce in small batches, and it requires at least a day's advance planning to let the ingredients sit.

Who eats the most mince pies? ›

People in the South West eat the most mince pies in the UK, according to research by bakery chain Konditor. Having surveyed 2,000 people, the London-based company found that, on average, each person in the South West eats 24 mince pies across the festive period.

Why are my mince pies soggy on the bottom? ›

Wet pie fillings + raw dough are a tricky combination. If the bottom crust doesn't set before the filling soaks in, it's going to be gummy. A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom.

Is a Scotch pie the same as a mince pie? ›

The contrast between a Scotch pie to other mince pies is the cake, called "boiling water cake". It's more similar to a covering as opposed to a flaky cake, which means it very well may be shaped to frame the particular round with straight sides.

What is the slang term for mince pies? ›

Mince pies = eyes

This is a term used widely in London even to this day, usually to describe a girl's features. Her eyes would be described as Minces, an even more slang term from the original mince pies.

Why are mince pies only eaten at Christmas? ›

According to reports, medieval people believed that if you ate a mince pie every day between Christmas and Twelfth Night, you'd be brimming with luck and happiness for the next 12 months. While there may not be any truth in the old myth, the tradition of eating mince pies every Christmas has certainly stuck.

Why do mince pies have no meat? ›

The mince pie was originally filled with meat but it's believed that it wasn't until the late Victorian period and the early 20th century that mince pies shifted to a pie made from fruit fillings. Is it still illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas day?

Why is mincemeat called mincemeat when there's no meat in it? ›

Mincemeat is a combination of chopped dried fruits, spices, sugar, nuts, distilled spirits, a fat of some type and sometimes meat. The name is a carryover from 15th century England when mincemeat did indeed have meat in the mix; in fact, the whole point of mincemeat was to preserve meat with sugar and alcohol.

What odd ingredient did mince pies once contain? ›

Markham's recipe called for an entire leg of mutton and three pounds of suet which were mixed with salt, cloves, mace, currants, raisins, prunes, dates, and orange peel, a list of ingredients that, save for the meat, which is remarkably like that used today.

What is pie filling made of? ›

Fruit, sugar, cornstarch, acid, extras. These are the only things you need to remember to turn out a perfect pie filling.

Is none such mincemeat discontinued? ›

Unfortunately the company who bought it has decided to discontinue! Get it while you can-the cookie recipe is on the box and they're awesome. Sadly you cannot replicate the cookies properly using the jarred minced meat/they do NOT come out well. Pricey but worth it!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 5717

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.