Mince Pies

Total Time:Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 20 min./batch

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Diane Selich

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on Jun. 27, 2023

Most people use canned mincemeat, but this is the old-fashioned way to make a mince pie. It's a sweet holiday treat that will satisfy you and your loved ones. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Mince Pies

Yield:20 mini pies
Prep:35 min
Cook:20 min

Ingredients

  • CRUST
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/3 cups shortening
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons ice water
  • filling:
    • 1/4 pound ground beef
    • 3 medium apples, peeled and chopped
    • 1 medium apricot, peeled and chopped
    • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup golden raisins
    • 1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
    • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
    • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/4 cup rum
    • 1 large egg, beaten
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons coarse sugar
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Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
  2. For filling, in a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 3-5 minutes, crumbling beef. Drain. Add apples, apricot, brown sugar, raisins, apple juice, vinegar, orange zest and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer until apples are tender, 15-17 minutes. Stir in rum. Remove from heat; cool slightly.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut 20 circles with a floured 2-3/4-in. round biscuit cutter. Top half the circles with 1 tablespoon filling. Top with remaining circles; press edges with a fork to seal. Cut slits in top. Brush tops with egg; sprinkle with coarse sugar. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  4. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.