Description
These delightful Cinnamon Swirl Mince Pies add a festive twist to the traditional mince pie. Made with buttery puff pastry rolled in cinnamon sugar, filled with rich mincemeat, and baked to golden perfection, they are the perfect bite-sized treat for the holiday season or any cozy gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry and Topping
- 320g sheet of all-butter puff pastry
- 2 tbsp golden caster sugar
- 1½ tbsp ground cinnamon
- Melted butter, for greasing the tin (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for glazing)
Filling
- 400g jar mincemeat (ensure vegetarian if required)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6 to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the mince pies evenly.
- Prepare the pastry: Unroll the pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to a 45 x 30cm rectangle. Combine the golden caster sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the pastry.
- Form the cinnamon swirl log: Carefully roll the pastry lengthwise to create a long log with the cinnamon sugar inside, making sure it is tight and even.
- Cut pastry rounds: Slice the log into 24 pieces, approximately 2cm thick each. Lightly roll each piece into a disc large enough to fit into a 12-hole non-stick mini muffin tin.
- Prepare the muffin tin: If your tin is not non-stick, brush each muffin hole with melted butter to prevent sticking. Place half the discs into the muffin holes, pressing them down firmly to create a base and sides for the pies.
- Add the filling: Divide the 400g of mincemeat evenly among the pastry bases, filling each case without overfilling.
- Seal the pies: Top each filled case with the remaining pastry discs, gently pressing the edges to seal the pies.
- Chill before baking: Refrigerate the assembled mince pies for 30 minutes. This helps the pastry to firm up and retain its shape during baking.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the tops of the pies with beaten egg to achieve a shiny, golden finish.
- Bake the mince pies: Place the tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pies are puffed up and golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the mince pies to cool slightly in the tin before removing. Serve warm or at room temperature as a delightful treat.
Notes
- Using all-butter puff pastry gives the pies a rich, flaky texture ideal for festive treats.
- Ensure the mincemeat is suitable for vegetarians if needed by checking the label carefully.
- Chilling the pies before baking is key for maintaining their shape and preventing puff pastry from shrinking too much.
- For a glossy finish, don’t skip the egg wash before baking.
- You can store leftover mince pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: cinnamon, mince pies, puff pastry, festive dessert, holiday baking, Christmas treat
