Mincemeat Pecan Palmiers Food

PECAN PALMIERS

Steps:

• Position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 400 degrees F. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake on the upper rack until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes; let cool completely.
• Mix the butter and vanilla in a small bowl with a rubber spatula until smooth; set aside. Put the pecans, brown sugar, flour and salt in a mini food processor and pulse until finely ground. Spread the turbinado sugar on a work surface and top with the puff pastry. Press to coat the pastry in sugar, then flip the pastry and roll out into a 12-inch square.
• Spread the butter mixture almost to the edge of the pastry, then sprinkle with the pecan mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Using your hands, roll 1 side of the pastry into the center, then roll the opposite side into the center to meet. Trim the ends of the roll.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the dough crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Brush with the beaten egg. Bake until golden, 7 to 10 minutes. Carefully flip the cookies using a thin metal spatula, switch the pans and continue baking until the cookies are crisp and golden, 7 to 10 more minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.

MINCEMEAT & PECAN PALMIERS

Steps:

• Mix the mincemeat, nuts, cinnamon and maple syrup together; set aside. Lightly flour a work surface, then roll pastry out to a rectangle measuring 40 x 30cm. Trim the edges with a sharp knife.
• Carefully position the pastry with one of the long edges facing you. Spread two-thirds of the mincemeat mix over the pastry, then fold the two shorter edges over to meet in the middle. Spread the rest of the mincemeat over the folded pastry and bring the outside ends over again to join in the centre. Turn the pastry over, lift onto a non-stick baking sheet, then gently squeeze down the length to make an even-shaped log, with tight folds. Chill in the freezer for 10 mins. Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7.
• Remove the baking sheet from the freezer. Cut the pastry into 1cm slices and arrange on baking sheets, spaced apart. Cook on the top shelf for 15 mins until risen and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and serve dusted with icing sugar.

PECAN MINCE PIE

Steps:

• To make the pastry, put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it comes together, then tip onto a surface and knead into a ball. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 mins.
• Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 23cm tart tin, leaving any excess pastry overhanging. Chill for a further 30 mins.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 with a baking sheet on the middle shelf. Prick the pastry base with a fork and line the tin with baking parchment and baking beans or some dry rice. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 20 mins until golden around the edges. Remove the parchment and beans, and return to the oven for 10 mins more until the base is biscuit-brown.
• While the pie case is baking, make the filling. Finely chop half the pecans by hand or by pulsing in a food processor, then tip into a bowl. Mix in the eggs, golden syrup and melted butter until completely combined, then stir in the mincemeat.
• When the pie case is cooked, spoon over the mincemeat pecan filling and top with the reserved whole pecans. Bake for 20-25 mins until the top is just set, then remove from the oven to cool slightly.
• To make the brandy cream, whisk together the cream and the icing sugar until holding soft peaks, then gently whisk in the brandy, vanilla and cinnamon. Serve the pie warm in slices with a dollop of the cream.