What Is A Mince Pie Made Of?

Mince pies are a festive classic. Every winter, they are served up as part of Christmas dinners, luncheons, and afternoon teas. But what is a mince pie made of? Let's take a look at the ingredients, instructions, and nutrition facts.

Ingredients

A traditional mince pie contains a combination of dried fruits, spices, and suet (beef or mutton fat). The dried fruits typically include raisins, currants, sultanas, and candied citrus peel. The spices usually include cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, as well as other spices such as cloves and mace. The suet adds a rich, moist texture to the pie, and it helps preserve the filling. The pastry is usually made with a combination of butter, flour, and sugar, and it can be made with either shortcrust pastry or puff pastry. You will also need some beaten egg to glaze the top of the pastry.

Instructions

To make a mince pie, start by making the pastry. Combine the butter, flour, and sugar in a bowl, and mix it together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Then, add a few tablespoons of cold water, and knead the mixture until it forms a dough. Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Next, make the mincemeat filling. Combine the dried fruits, spices, and suet in a bowl, and mix it together until it's evenly combined. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F), and grease a 12-hole muffin tin. Roll out the pastry and cut enough circles to line the muffin tin. Fill each pastry case with a spoonful of the mincemeat filling, and brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg. Cut out a star shape from the remaining pastry, and place it on top of each pie. Brush the top of the pastry with more beaten egg, and bake the pies for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown.

Nutrition

Mince pies are high in calories, fat, and sugar. A single pie contains about 350 calories, 17 grams of fat, and 25 grams of sugar. They are also a source of some essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and vitamin B6. However, due to their high sugar content, mince pies should be enjoyed in moderation.

Now that you know what a mince pie is made of, why not give it a go? It's a fun, festive way to get into the Christmas spirit!