My Orange and Chocolate Not-Mince Pies

Between to trips to the shops to get the last missing presents, preparing a grocery order, going to Southwark cathedral's Christmas carol service, and a Christmas drink with friends, here is a Christmas recipe!

In two day, The Man and I will get on a train to his parents, with who I am about to experience my very first 100% British Christmas. The Christmas meal (turkey, stuffing & vegs, Christmas pudding), crackers and all the other Christmas traditions...the real deal!
I simply cannot wait!

Whatever your plans are for the holidays, I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

My Orange and Chocolate Not-mince pies

Here is the thing: I love the idea, the tradition and the look of mince pies, but I do not like mincemeat.

So I came came up with my very own filling mixture, which is still very Christmassy, very British and mix some of my favourite flavours: bitter orange, citrus and dark chocolate.

Whether you are not a big fan of mincemeat either of just want to discover a new take on a classic British treat, give them a try!

PS: the pastry, which recipe I took from  Paul Hollywood's mince pies, is both very easy to make and absolutely delicious. 

 

Ingredients (make 18 pies approx)

For the pastry

375g plain flour

260g unsalted butter, softened

125g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling

 1 large egg, plus 1 beaten egg for glazing

For the filling

(these measures are rough guidelines. Feel free to adapt as you see fit)

¾ of a 450g jar of good-quality orange marmalade (I used Wilkin and Sons Tawny Orange Marmelade, which I love)

1 big handful of good quality dark chocolate buttons (I used Valrhona), roughly chopped

¾ of a 200g pot of cut candied mixed peel

How to make orange and dark chocolate mince pies:

1/ Make the pastry: place the flour and butter in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency. Add the sugar and the egg, and mix together. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface and fold until the pastry comes together, be careful not to over mix. Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill for at least 10 mins.

2/ In a bowl, mixed all the filling ingredients, and set aside.

3/ Heat oven to 190-200C. Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick. Using a round cutter (about 10cm), cut out 18 bases and place them into buttered and floured muffin trays. Fill each case with filling mixture up to ¾ of the height.  Re-roll out the pastry to cut lids/tops of whichever shape you like (little hearts, stars or Christmas trees, etc) and place them carefully on top of the pies. Glaze the lids and pie edges with the rest of the egg, sprinkle with caster sugar.

4/ Bake mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool before releasing them from the muffin trays. Serve plain, or with a dollop of crème fraiche or brandy cream.