Mincemeat Cream Cheese Pastries Food

MINCEMEAT

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.

MINCEMEAT CREAM CHEESE PASTRIES

Steps:

• About 1 hour before baking, combine flour, cream cheese, and butter and mix well.
• Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
• Combine mincemeat and nuts and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Divide dough in half, refrigerate one half.
• On well floured surface, thinly roll out dough into a large rectangle; cut into 3 inch squares.
• Place level teaspoons of filling in center of square and fold dough over filling, bringing ends together and forming a triangle.
• With a fork dipped in flour, press edges together and prick a few holes in the top.
• Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle a little sugar on top.
• Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Repeat with remaining dough.
• Reroll trimmings for more pastries.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Let cool on wire racks.

PUFF PASTRY MINCE PIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and lightly butter and flour a 12 hole fairy cake tin. Lay a sheet of puff pastry on a floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out a little, so it's 5 cm bigger than your fairy cake tin.
• Lay the sheet onto the tin, pushing it into the holes. Spoon 1½ tbsp of mincemeat into each hole, then use some of the beaten egg to brush around all of the holes. Lay the other sheet of pastry on top and press to seal. Lightly dust the top with flour.
• Use an 8cm cookie cutter to cut circles around each of the holes, peeling away the excess puff pastry. You will be left with 12 flat-topped pies. Place a flat baking tray over the pies and flip the fairy cake tin upside-down. The pies should slip out of the tin, leaving you with 12 puff pies on a baking tray.
• Press each one around the edges to make sure they're well sealed. Brush them with more of the beaten egg, sprinkle with demerara sugar. Bake for 20 mins, until risen and golden. Allow to cool a little, then serve warm.

CREAMY MINCEMEAT PIE

Steps:

• Spoon mincemeat into baked pie shell.
• Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice and rind, beat until smooth.
• Pour cream cheese mixture over mincemeat.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Blend sour cream with 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla. Spoon over filling.
• Return to oven; continue to bake for 10 more minutes.
• Refrigerate at least 5 hours before serving.