Mince Pie Ingredients (for 16 pies)

225g cold butter, diced

250g plain flour

100g caster sugar

280g mincemeat

1 small egg

Icing sugar, to dust

How to make Mince Pies 

To make the pastry, rub the cold, diced butter into the plain flour, then mix in the caster sugar and add a pinch of salt.

Combine the pastry into a ball – don’t add liquid – and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.

Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon the mincemeat into the pies.

Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies. Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal – you don’t need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own.

Beat 1 small egg and brush the tops of the pies. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. The mince pies will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container, so eat them soon after they are made.