Puff pastry mince pies are a Christmas classic, and making them from scratch is easier than you might think! With flaky, buttery pastry and a deliciously spiced mincemeat filling, they’re sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. If you’ve never made them before, don’t worry – I’m here to guide you through the process, step by step.

First, let’s gather our ingredients. You’ll need:

– 1 package of store-bought puff pastry
– 1 jar of mincemeat
– 1 egg, beaten
– Icing sugar, for dusting

Now, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a muffin tin.

Next, it’s time to roll out the puff pastry. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to about 1/8 inch thick. This is where the fun begins – use a round cutter to cut out circles of pastry. These will form the bases and the lids for your mince pies.

Once you’ve cut out the circles, gently press the pastry circles into the prepared muffin tin. Spoon a generous teaspoon of mincemeat into each pastry case, then brush the edges of the pastry with a little beaten egg.

Now, it’s time to add the pastry lids. Use a slightly smaller round cutter to cut out more circles of pastry, then carefully place them on top of the mincemeat-filled cases. Press the edges together to seal the pies, and use a sharp knife to make a small slit in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape during baking.

Before popping your pies in the oven, brush the tops with a little more beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish. Then, it’s time to bake! Place the mince pies in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden.

Once they’re baked to perfection, remove the mince pies from the oven and let them cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. When they’re completely cool, dust them with a little icing sugar for the perfect finishing touch.

And there you have it – delicious, homemade puff pastry mince pies! These little treats are perfect for serving at Christmas parties, sharing with friends and family, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea on a cold winter’s day.

So, why not give them a try this holiday season? With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be whipping up a batch of homemade mince pies in no time. Happy baking!