Santas Mince Pie Diamonds Recipes

SANTA'S MINCE PIE DIAMONDS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and grease an 18 x 28cm baking tray with melted butter. Brush a sheet of filo pastry with melted butter and lay buttered side up in the tray. Repeat with 4 more sheets, brushing each layer with melted butter. In a large bowl, mix all of the dried fruit, brown sugar, spices and honey together. Spoon a third of the filling into the tray in an even layer. Cover with 3 buttered sheets of filo. Continue until you have 3 layers of fruit, sandwiched and topped with 3 sheets of buttered filo.
• Brush the top with melted butter, then, using a sharp knife, carefully cut into diamond shapes. Sprinkle with a little water (to prevent the corners curling) and bake for 30 mins until golden brown.
• Warm the zest, honey and 2 tbsp water in a pan, then pour over the still-warm pastry. Leave to cool in the tray before loosening the pieces and arranging on a plate to serve.

CHRISTMAS MINCE PIES

Steps:

• Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add butter and shortening; rub in with cold fingers until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Mix in sugar and orange zest thoroughly. Mix in vanilla extract. Stir in enough orange juice to bring dough together.
• Knead dough briefly to form a smooth ball. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Roll dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut out 12 circles using a 2 1/2-inch cutter and 12 circles using a 1-inch cutter.
• Line 12 mini tart pans or a muffin tin with the 2 1/2-inch dough circles. Cover dough with about 1 tablespoon mincemeat filling. Lay 1-inch circles on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops are pale golden brown, 17 to 21 minutes. Cool slightly on wire racks, about 10 minutes. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.