Done my Christmas baking, four weeks late

🙋
Edit, Feb 2025: the last few years I've seen something like these in the shops which is pretty cool. I actually didn't get around to making these the past few years but they will always take me back to my childhood Christmas memories. Mum hasn't been able to bake for quite a few years now (Alzheimers). My nephew, his wife and kids made a batch of these mince pies for my Dad one year as part of a hamper of Christmassy things. That was Dad's last Christmas, but them sharing this with him was special. I hope the family continues to make them for themselves in the years to come. Food is memory and story; food is connection and family.

Ever since I was a baby, my Mum has made the most amazing mince pies. They are topped with an almond macaroon type thing, and I have not met a single person who doesn’t think they’re the best thing ever.

The last two years we’ve done Christmas up here, so I’ve made my own, but this year we went to Mum’s so I didn’t get a chance to bake my own. My parents then followed us up to Brum, complete with a supply of pies which were finally finished last night so I haven’t had a chance to bake my own until today. They’re piping hot right now, so here’s a photo of the 2006 batch:

Pastedgraphic

How to make: well leaving out the instructions for pastry and mincemeat, get your pies set up ready to go.

  • Oven setting 375 dgs / gas mark 5
  • Cooking time 30 mins

To top 8-10 pies you need:

  • 3oz (85g) caster sugar
  • 3oz (85g) ground almonds
  • 2 egg whites
  • a drop of almond essence
  1. Whisk egg whites until stiff.
  2. Fold in sugar, almonds & almond essence.
  3. Pile on to mincemeat and whack them in the oven.

Enjoy!!

If you have enough in the house for one last batch of mince pies, give them a try. Incidentally, this recipe is from the awesome 70’s cooking book The Hamlyn All Colour Cook Book which I noticed being used on Come Dine with Me the other day, and which probably taught most 70s cooks how to make spag bol and trifle.