Mince Tarts Recipes

Steps:

• Quarter and core the apple.
• Grate the apple without peeling.
• Add the grated apple and brandy to the fruit mincemeat.
• Cut out 36 circles from the shortcrust pastry to line the tray.
• Add a teaspoon of the fruit mixture to each tart.
• Cut out 36 Christmas shapes from the puff pastry. I have star, heart, tree and bell shapes that I use for this recipe.
• Put a puff pastry shape on top of each tart.
• Mix together the golden syrup and water and use it to brush each puff pastry. This browns the puff pastry.
• Bake for 15 minutes in an oven set to 200°C.
• Serve warm with whipped cream or icecream or cool on a rack and dust with icing sugar.

Steps:

• First, make the pastry. Using a tabletop mixer or an electric hand whisk, cream together the butter and sugar with a pinch of salt until soft and fluffy. Add the yolks, then fold in the flour until the pastry just comes together, being careful not to overwork. Wrap in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for 1 hr.
• Meanwhile, make the filling. Cook the butter, sugar, orange zest, apple and cinnamon over a medium heat for 15 mins or until you have a thick purée. Add the dried fruit and mixed peel for the final 1-2 mins, then remove from the heat. Once cool, remove the cinnamon stick, and stir in the brandy and suet.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin, then use to line a 25cm loose-bottomed tart case. Return to the fridge for 30 mins until well chilled.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Prick the base of the tart case with a fork, line with baking parchment and fill with baking beans or uncooked rice. Bake for 12 mins, then remove the baking beans and parchment and cook for 3 mins more.
• Meanwhile, put the flour, sugar and butter for the crumble in a bowl. Rub together with your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs, then mix in the frosted walnuts.
• Spoon the mincemeat filling into the pastry case and cover with the crumble. Return to the oven for 30 mins until bubbling at the edges and the topping is golden and gooey. Serve warm or cool with custard or clotted cream.