If you’ve never experienced homemade mince pie (aka mincemeat pie) you don’t know what you’re missing! Leave the store-bought mince pies on the shelf and get ready to fall in love – nothing compares to homemade!
Mincemeat pie, also called mince pie, has occupied a prominent place on Britain’s holiday table for centuries and that tradition continues today. During the near 7 years that I lived in England I witnessed the mince pies being stocked in every store and served in nearly every home as soon as the Christmas season started.
Most people have either a love or hate relationship with mince pies. For some, Christmas just isn’t the same without them while for others the mince pie is the brunt of endless jokes. For my part, if my opinion were limited to store-bought mince pies I would pass in a heartbeat with a courteous “no thank you.”
Homemade mince pies on the other hand made with real traditional mincemeat….well, that’s a different story. And that’s what we’re talking about today. If like me you’ve always hated store-bought mince pies, I have a hunch these homemade ones will make you change your mind.
If you want the absolutely BEST mincemeat pie, you HAVE to make your own mincemeat. If you use store-bought mincemeat your mince pies won’t taste much better than the ones you buy in the grocery store and THAT’S what we’re trying to avoid.
The mincemeat of today is very different from the mincemeat our ancestors enjoyed through the centuries and by different I don’t mean improved. The real stuff is vastly superior and your taste buds will agree once they’ve tried it. To learn more about its history, its evolution, and how to make mincemeat that you will really enjoy, be sure to check out my post on how to make your own Traditional Mincemeat.
In Britain especially but also in several other countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the New England region of the U.S., it’s hard for many people to imagine Christmas without mince pies.
Mince pies, originally called “Christmas pies, “crib cakes” or “shred pies”, can be traced back to the 13th century to the time of the Crusaders where they were fashioned as symbols of Christ’s birth. Featuring cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in token of the gifts of the three Magi, mince pies were originally larger and shaped into ovals to represent the manger. Often a pastry was made that was shaped in the form of the infant Jesus and was placed on top of the pie. The mince pie would then be eaten in celebration of the birth of Christ.
Over time mince pies got smaller and rounder and today they’re made in small tart tins as convenient “hand pies” that are consumed within a few bites.
Mince pies have literally gone down in history as an inseparable component of Christmas holiday tradition.
Christmas Pie by William Henry Hunt (1790-1864)
You can use prepared pie crust but for the best flavor and texture I recommend making your own and if at all possible replacing some of the butter with lard. Lard yields the very best pie crust texture imaginable. Be sure to use quality lard from pasture-raised pigs. Most of the lard you find in the stores is hydrogenated – avoid it. I usually render my own lard from fat that I get from a trusted local farmer (see my post on How To Render Lard), but for a store-bought option, this Leaf Lard from Fatworks is made from free-ranged, pasture-raised pigs.
You can use either a standard 12-muffin tin or you can use mini tart tins, which create a more typical pie shape. I prefer to use the traditional mini tart tins and these tins can be used for any number of mini tart recipes.
Traditional Mincemeat Pie Recipe
Let’s get started!
Make the pastry crust:
Form the dough into a ball, tightly wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the fridge for at least 3 hours before using, or for up to 5 days. This dough can also be frozen (flatten into one or two discs, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and put it in a ziplock freezer bag).
Time to make the mincemeat pies!
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease the mini tart tins or a standard 12-cup muffin tin.
Roll 2/3 of the pie crust out onto a floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut circles out of the pie crust to fit into the tins. Scoop some of the mincemeat into each pie crust.
**IF MAKING A FULL SIZE PIE: Preheat to 375 F and bake it for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 F and bake for another 30 minutes or so.
Roll out the remaining pie crust to the same thickness and cut out circles for lids, star shapes, or lattices (whichever you prefer). If cutting out circles/lids to fully cover each pie cut a small slit on the top of each pie crust to let hot air escape.
Lightly brush the tops with milk or an egg wash.
Bake the pies for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Carefully remove them from the muffin or tart tins, transfer them to a wire rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Mince pies are best served gently warmed. They can be eaten with your hands or with a spoon if served with cream or even ice cream if you like.
Another traditional topping is Hard Sauce, known as Brandy Butter outside the U.S. Spread or place a dollop of brandy butter over the hot mincemeat pie and let it melt.
Stored in an airtight container, the mincemeat pies will keep for up to 4 days.
Note: These pies freeze well. Freeze in an airtight container or ziplock bag; they will keep for up to 3 months.
Depending on the size of your tart or muffin tins, this will make about 18 mince pies.
Enjoy!
One tradition says that if you eat a mince pie each day over the twelve days of Christmas it will bring you good luck in the new year! Another tradition says that the first mince pie of the season holds special powers, so be sure to make a wish with the first mince pie you eat!
Fun Fact: The first ever mince pie eating contest was held in 2006 and the winner consumed 46 pies in one sitting!
So from that perspective, 12 pies in 12 days isn’t so bad, is it?
For more delicious traditional British treats be sure to try our:
- Treacle Tart
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Eccles Cakes
- Christmas Pudding
- Flapjacks
- Crumpets
- Shortbread
- Yorkshire Parkin
- Spotted Dick
- Welsh Cakes
- Victoria Sponge Cake
BEST Mince Pie
Ingredients
- Pie crust dough (enough for two crusts) or homemade crust as follows:
- 3 1/2 cups (455 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 10 tablespoons (140 grams) very cold unsalted butter , diced in 1/2 inch cubes
- 5 ounces lard , lard will produce the flakiest crusts (you can substitute butter if you prefer)
- How to Make Your Own Lard (we STRONGLY recommend making your own, it's super easy and WAY cheaper than store-bought!)
- 2/3 cup ice water
- 1 batch BEST Traditional Mincemeat
- 2 tablespoons milk, for brushing
- powdered sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter (or lard/tallow) and use a pastry blender or two knives to cut into the flour until you get pea-sized crumbs(alternatively use a food processor). Stir in the water gradually (or pulse with a food processor) until the dough holds together when you pinch it between your fingers. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin or mini tart tins.
- Roll 2/3 of the pie crust out onto a floured surface to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut circles out of the pie crust to fit into the tins. Roll out the remaining pie crust to the same thickness and cut out circles for lids, or star shapes, or lattices (whichever you prefer). If using circles/lids to fully cover the pies, cut a slit in each pastry lid to allow the hot air to escape. IF MAKING A FULL SIZE PIE: Preheat to 375 F and bake it for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 F and bake for another 30 minutes or so.
- Carefully press the pie crusts into the tins and fill them with mincemeat then top with the pie crust lids, stars, or lattices and press the edges together to seal them. Lightly brush the tops with milk or an egg wash.Bake the pies for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove them from the muffin or tart tins, transfer them to a wire rack and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Mince pies are best served gently warmed. They can be eaten with your hands or with a spoon if served with cream or even ice cream if you like. Stored in in the fridge in an airtight container, they will keep for up to 4 days. If making them without meat they will keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days.Note: These pies freeze well. Freeze in an airtight container or ziplock bag, will keep for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
First published on The Daring Gourmet 18, 2017
marie king says
My grandmother always made mincemeat pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas. What a treat! I found your recipe recently and am going to try it this year. I’m confused about the suet. I know it rises to the top. When I’m ready to spoon the mincemeat into the tart shells, do I mix the suet and mincemeat together? Or is the purpose of the suet simply to seal the mixture and not to actually put it in the pie? Should I discard it? HELP!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Marie, I added a note about that in the “notes” section of the recipe card. Hopefully that answers your questions.
Claire Goucher says
Hi, Kimberly.
I’m really looking forward to making my own mincemeat this year and making the tarts.
However, the note section doesn’t actually contain the info regarding whether the suet cap is mixed into the mincemeat or simply removed.
Thanks,
Claire =)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Claire, it’s in the notes section of the actual mincemeat recipe: https://www.daringgourmet.com/authentic-traditional-mincemeat/
Chad M. says
I have never had, or even seen a mincemeat pie. I live in central America, and sell homemade traditional Thanksgiving pies to friends. One friend today asked me for a traditional British mincemeat pie. After searching the internet, I found this site. Now I want to make myself a mincemeat pie as well. I have promised myself to never sell a pie to someone that I have not made for myself. Looking forward to this!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Chad, let us know what you think once you’ve tried it!
Jane says
I have never had a mincemeat pie but my husband loves it. I am planning to make it for him this Christmas. I have all of your instructions saved and am planning the purchase of the not-so-readily available ingredients. I’m a little confused, though. Do you use butter and suet and lard here? It looks like it’s half butter/half lard and then suet. I’m purchasing the suet you recommend for the mincemeat. Do I just use that? Or do I need to get lard, as well? Can you clarify for me a bit? I’m really looking forward to making it for him. I’m even going to make the homemade citrus peels. Thanks for your help!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Jane! For the pie crust you can either use all butter or half butter and half fat. The fat can either be lard (pork) or tallow (beef). In the recipe I provide a link to my tutorial on how to render your own lard or tallow. I personally prefer the texture of lard over tallow for pie crusts, I find it more tender/flaky. And yes, for the mincemeat you’ll use the shredded suet. You won’t regret making your own candied citrus peel, it’s amazing!
Malcolm says
Mincemeat
My Mother made mincemeat with actual meat
And it beat all else as something to eat.
When I got married I had a great shock:
My wife made mincemeat with raisins as stock.
She’s not vegetarian or such, by no means
But mincemeat with meat was not in her genes.
There was an old gentleman I once heard avow
“The cow eats the grass and I eat the cow,
Remove your nut cutlet and your lentily dog
And serve me a round off the belly of hog.”
With this sentiment I fully agree,
So Sheila’s mincemeat was anathema to me.
A sensitive soul would shrink at the sound,
The shriek of a carrot that’s pulled from the ground.
You may think the carrot is all unaware,
As compared to the cow- that’s very unfair
You can question a cow or question a carrot –
You’ll get the same answer, one without merit.
So I ‘ll make my own, with an eye to the meat
And the eye of the round will make a big treat
First, I made peel: oranges, lemons and limes,
They are cooked in sugar and dried up betimes.
Having stripped off the peel, what to do with the fruit?
Save it for the mincemeat a possible route.
Now a big problem- it’s hard to find suet
But I got it at Orliff’s, so now I can do it
There’s nuts to crush up and apple to core
And lemon to squeeze and raisins galore.
Brown sugar comes in and vinegar too
And spices to add and not just a few.
When everything’s ready, throw it all in a pot
Let simmer for hours but never too hot,
Or the sugar will burn- just a slight bubble.
The smell by itself is worth all the trouble.
Then poured in tall bottles so the suet can rise
And that seals it up till you’re ready for pies.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
What a treat! This is phenomenal, Malcolm, thank you for sharing your talent!
Monique Martinez says
Loved this, literally my adventure with mince pie!
Fred says
Do you mix in the suet that has collected on top before putting the mincemeat in the pie, or do you discard it?
Can you just make the crust and then put the mincemeat in? This would preserve the alcohol for us lushes.
How about putting some alcohol on after the pie is cooked?
Kathleen says
That’s my question as well but she didn’t address it. I’m assuming it’s mixed in because she says it can be used immediately (though much better if it can ripen for an extended period). That really does need to be clarified for those of us who’ve never made a mincemeat pie. My brain is telling me to discard it because the instructions seem to be for those who keep it for an extended period and the suet’s purpose is to initially flavor the mincemeat and to seal it to preserve it. Personally I can’t IMAGINE eating all that suet though!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Kathleen, I added a note about that in the “notes” section of the recipe card. Hopefully that answers your questions.
Tara says
I accidentally used 8 oz of lard instead of a lard and butter combination. Do you think the crust will be ok?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Absolutely, Tara! Using all lard is what they often did in the old days.
Natalie Loftus says
I made these using your recipe for homemade mincemeat – the absolute BEST!!! They disappeared so quickly last year and I’ve just made a double batch of your mincemeat again for this year. Cannot wait to enjoy some more of these pies. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Natalie, thank you!
Tammy Worden says
These were phenomenal, Kimberly! Made them using your recipe for homemade mincemeat and everyone loved them!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, thanks so much, Tammy!
Elise Carlson says
I made these for Christmas using your mincemeat recipe and they were a huge hit! I served them with whipped cream and everyone requested seconds. Such a great flavor! Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Elise, thanks so much!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Love that you used homemade mincemeat! Yum!
Kim Beaulieu says
I’m having so many childhood flashbacks seeing this. My Dad loved making his own mince pies. Yours look amazing. Happy Holidays!!!
Jerry Warrick says
Being my Grandfather is from St.Austell Cornwall, we always had mincemeat pies…I also use lard when making my traditional Cornish pasties !
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s the only way to make them, Jerry! My husband’s family is from Cornwall also and Cornish pasties are one of his favorite things.
Liz says
I wish you were my neighbor! Then I’d come over and beg for a couple of your minis!
Mary Fisher says
Mince pies are eaten at any time, usually without a sauce. I’ve never seen them served with ice-cream but I haven’t been to every household in England, even though I’m English and have lived in England (Yorkshire really) for almost eighty years.
Our tradition is to make them on Christmas Eve and have the last one at midnight on New Year’s Eve with a dram.
I make our mincemeat, using finely chopped beef and lots of brandy. It doesn’t need cooking (or ‘canning’ as sometimes described but not in Britain) and will keep forever.
Commercial mincemeat isn’t bad and, in my experience, always contains suet. If commercial mincemeat is acceptable why do I make it? Because I make everything. This year has been difficult because I’ve been caring for Spouse after an accident, luckily I’d already made the cake, back in August, and had a pudding left from 2010. There are only the mince pies and stand pie to make now. I even have some tomatoes left from the greenhouse, very small but they’ll be fine with the pork pie. I wish everyone a joyous Christmas and a peaceful 2018.
Nat says
I got so caught by your recipe for the original authentic mince meat that I want to try the mince pies now. I’m not familiar with the british custom. Please inform when and how they are consumed. Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner?
Thanks in advance
Nat
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Nat, these are eaten throughout the Christmas season as a dessert item and can be casually passed around on a plate and eaten by hand or served on a plate with cream or ice cream. While they’re also eaten cold, they’re really best served gently warmed.