Mary Berrys Mincemeat Food

MINCEMEAT AND MARZIPAN TART

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
• For the pastry, measure the flour, butter and icing sugar into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs (take care not to over-process the pastry as it will make it tough). Set aside a tablespoon of the beaten egg for the glaze and add the remaining egg to the processor. Pulse again until the pastry just comes together. Put the pastry on a floured work surface and knead until it comes together to form a ball.
• Reserve a quarter of the dough for the stars and roll out the remaining pastry to the thickness of a pound coin. Line the base and sides of the tin with pastry and prick with a fork. Chill for 15 minutes.
• Spread half the mincemeat over the base of the pastry and scatter over the grated marzipan. Evenly spread the remaining mincemeat over the top to cover the marzipan. Roll out the reserved pastry and, using star cutters, stamp out enough stars to decorate the top of the tart (about 14). Arrange the stars on the top of the tart and brush with the reserved beaten egg.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden-brown and crisp. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly before removing from the tin.
• Serve the tart warm, dusted with icing sugar and with the brandy cream alongside.

MARY BERRY'S MINCE PIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6 and place a baking sheet inside to heat up.
• For the pastry, either pulse the flour and butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs, or rub the flour and butter together in a large bowl using your fingertips.
• Stir in the icing sugar and orange zest, then stir in the beaten egg and mix until the ingredients just come together as a dough. Wrap the dough in greaseproof paper and chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, or until firm.
• When the pastry has rested, unwrap it. Place the greaseproof paper on a work surface and lightly dust with icing sugar. Place the dough on top, dust with icing sugar, then cover with another sheet of greaseproof paper. Roll the pastry between the sheets of greaseproof paper to a thickness of 1-2mm. (If you are confident rolling out pastry you do not need to use the greaseproof paper, but it does help prevent the pastry tearing if the dough is a little sticky).
• Stamp 12 rounds from the pastry using a 8cm/3in fluted pastry cutter. (Any leftover pastry can be frozen and used to make jam tarts.) Line each hole of the muffin tin with one of the pastry rounds and prick the base of each with a fork.
• For the filling, mix the mincemeat with the chopped apricots until well combined. Divide the mixture equally among the pastry cases. Top each tart with some of the grated marzipan.
• Slide the muffin tin onto the hot baking sheet and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden-brown and crisp. Dust with icing sugar and serve warm.

MARY BERRY'S MINCEMEAT BUNS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325*F/160*C/gas mark 3. Have ready 12 paper cases or a 12 cup muffin tin. (you don't need to put the cases in a tin, they will cook properly just as is if you place them on a baking sheet.) If using a tin, butter it well.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and beat together for 2 minutes until light, fluffy and well combined.
• Divide equally amongst your muffin cups/paper cases.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown and springy to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
• These are very pretty served dusted with icing sugar.

MINCEMEAT & SHORTBREAD SQUARES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line the base and sides of a 20cm square tin with baking parchment. Beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, 1 tsp of the cinnamon and the cloves together with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Stir in the flour and ground rice first with a spoon, then get your hands in and knead to a smooth dough.
• Halve the dough and press one half evenly into the base of the tin. Spread the mincemeat over the top, leaving a 1cm border around the edge. Roll out the remaining dough between 2 sheets of baking parchment to a 20cm square, then slide onto the mincemeat. Seal around the edge with your fingers gently press all over until dimpled, then prick all over the top with a fork.
• Bake for 25-30 mins until lightly golden. Mix the granulated sugar with the remaining 1/4 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Cool in the tin before cutting into squares. Will keep for 3 days in an airtight container.