MAKE YOUR OWN

.. using this recipe from Angela Day for a delicious variation

ALMOND FRUIT MINCE PIES

Makes 36

PASTRY

500ml flour 60ml castor sugar 150g butter, cubed 1 egg, beaten ice water to mix

FILLING

400g jar of fruit mince

ALMOND TOPPING

150g butter

150g castor sugar

2 eggs

200g ground almonds

60ml flour

5ml almond extract glacé icing to decorate

PASTRY: Put the flour, castor sugar and butter into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

While pulsing the machine, add the egg and enough ice water to form a dough. Take care not to over-mix.

Knead the dough lightly on a floured surface until smooth.

Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out 8-10cm discs to line your patty pans.

Put spoonfuls of fruit mince mixture into the pastry and spread with the almond topping.

Bake at 180°C for 20-30 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool. Drizzle with glacé icing.

ALMOND TOPPING: Put the butter and sugar into a processor and cream until well blended. Add the eggs and mix well. Add the almonds, flour and almond extract and pulse to combine.

Spread spoonfuls on top of the fruit mince mixture.