Christmas Spice and Dried Fruit Biscuits (Mincemeat Pie)

This recipe is a classic English treat, perfect for the holiday season. Mincemeat pies are traditionally served as small tarts baked in mini-muffin tins. Here, I made them flatter, in the spirit of Christmas shortbreads…

This recipe, let's be honest, requires a bit of time and foresight. But its warm flavors will delight all palates!

For 15 to 20 cookies

For the mincemeat (English dried fruit preserve)

• 75g crushed almonds

• 75g currants

• 75g golden raisins

• 75g cranberries

• 1 large apple, peeled and finely diced

• 100g butter

• 220g brown sugar or whole cane sugar

• 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice mix

• 1 teaspoon "MAISON BARTHES" ground cinnamon

• Organic orange zest

• 100ml dark rum (traditional recipe uses cognac)

For the shortcrust pastry

• 200g flour

• 40g whole cane sugar

• 75g almond flour (I use whole almonds that I pulverize in a blender)

• 125g soft butter

• 1 egg

Step 1: Prepare the mincemeat (2 to 3 weeks in advance)

(The more in advance you prepare the mincemeat, the more concentrated its flavors will be. But I've already gotten an excellent result by making it the day before for the next day…)

1. In a saucepan, combine the dried fruit, apple, butter, and sugar. Heat over low heat, stirring regularly.

2. Once the butter and sugar have melted, add the almonds, spice mix, cinnamon, and orange zest.

3. Continue stirring until simmering, then let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Remove from heat, add the cognac (or rum), and let cool.

5. Pour into a jam jar.

Storage: up to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Prepare the shortcrust pastry

1. Place the flour, sugar, almond flour, and butter in a food processor bowl.

2. Mix until a sandy texture is obtained.

3. Add the egg and mix again until the dough detaches from the sides of the bowl.

4. Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Step 3: Make the mincemeat pies

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Roll out the dough (not too thinly) and cut out circles (or other shapes) with a cookie cutter.

3. Place a spoonful of mincemeat on one dough circle, then cover with another circle (which you can cut out, for example in the shape of a star, to reveal the preserve).

4. Seal the edges by pressing lightly.

5. Bake for 17 to 18 minutes at 180°C (350°F).

6. Let cool before enjoying with a cup of tea or a Christmas infusion!

🎄 Enjoy and happy holidays!