Finally perfected mince pies!

this is my Christmas present to you guys

I've tried many times to make the perfect mince pie, last year I almost had and figured they were as good as they could be, but this year I think I've cracked it

I take no credit for the recipe as its bits stolen from several with bits taken out here and there, I also have struggled with trying to roll out dough etc so I've decided the best method is to forget rolling it out, I just press it into shape, and use a spatula to pick up the dough, 

I haven't worked out the carbs exactly bug reckon they are quite good, the mince meat amounts make 3 or 4 batches depending how filled you like them

So here goes

Dough ingredients 

1 cup almond flour
40g cubed softened butter
1.5 tbs Splenda (use your favourite)
1 TBs tap water

Add almond flour to Splenda and mix em up
Add butter and crumble all together lifting the mix, can't remeber what it's called but it puts air in the mix
Add water gradually stirring it until it binds into a dough ball

Wrap in foil refrigerate for 30 minutes

Meanwhile

Mincemeat

1 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
Half cup chopped walnuts
Half cup Splenda
1 small chopped cooking Apple
Quarter cup raisins
Quarter cup coconut oil
Zest of a lemon
Zest of a orange
2 Tbs tap water
3 Tbs tap water (instead of brandy, yuk)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Half tap ground ginger
Quarter tsp ground nutmeg
Quarter tsp mixed spice

Mix and heat in big saucepan on low for 17- 20 minutes

Allow to cool the put in container in fridge

...

Pre butter 5 cake moulds on a cake mould baking tray thing, like you would use for baking cupcakes

Tear of enough pastry and press into bottom of the moulds

Flatten out (not too thin) the rest of the pastry and cut the lids (I used cleaned jam jar lid)

Add mince meat to each pie ( about 1 large teaspoon )

Spatula up lids and place them on top of each pie

Press the edges shut

Bake in middle of oven 180 (electric) for 15 - 18 minutes

Keep an eye on them, until golden brown

Allow to cool before taking them out of tray moulds or they fall apart, once cool I used a huge ladle thingy

I heat them in microwave for 30 seconds an have them with extra thick double cream

They are amazing!!

I'd love someone else to try them and tell me what you think

Sorry for splitting up the post but it's the second time writing it as the first time my phone froze up and I lost it all grrr

Merry christmas!

Awesome! Thanks for posting these up mate! I'll have to get the ingredients in and make some up for new year!

Thanks so much for posting this Andy ......looks a great recipe.  

Hope you are having a good Christmas Day

All the best Jan