Pies and Tarts Dessert Recipes - Party Mince Pie Recipe

Ingredients

• 20 ml/4 tsp corn flour (cornstarch)

• 150 ml/2/3 cup milk

• 1.5 ml/1/4 tsp vanilla essence (extract)

• 1 egg, separated

• 25 ml/1 1/2 tbsp caster (superfine) sugar

• 225 g/8 oz/2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour

• A pinch of salt

• 175 g/6 oz/3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

• 1 egg yolk

• 30 ml/2 tbsp water

• 225 g/8 oz/2/3 cup mincemeat

• Brandy Sauce, to serve

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Method:

1. Blend the corn flour with a little of the milk in a saucepan. Stir in the remaining milk. Bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring.

2. Whisk in the vanilla, 1 egg yolk and 15 ml/1 tbsp of the sugar. Cook gently for 1 minute, then leave to cool.

3. Sift the flour, salt and remaining sugar into a bowl. Make a well in the centre. Add the butter or margarine, the remaining egg yolk and water.

4. Work with your hands or a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a soft dough. Wrap in Clingfilm (plastic wrap) and chill for 30 minutes.

5. Cut the pastry (paste) in half. Roll out one half and use to line a 23 cm/9 in pie dish. Brush the edge with water.

6. Spoon the cold custard into the dish and top with the mincemeat. Roll out the remaining pastry and use as a lid. Press the edges well together to seal.

7. Trim, knock up the edge and flute with the back of a knife. Cut small stars out of pastry trimmings and arrange on top to decorate.

8. Brush with the lightly beaten egg white to glaze. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F/gas mark 5 for 45 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

9. Serve warm with Brandy Sauce.