Brandy Buttercream Mince Pies

Mince pies without a pastry top and piped with brandy buttercream. A very sweet treat, best served with a cup of tea!

Preparation method

1. Make the pastry by placing the flour and diced butter in a bowl and rubbing the butter in, so that the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

2. Add the sugar and egg yolk, and mix together to form a soft but not sticky dough.  If there are dry crumbs, add a teaspoon of water at a time until the dough holds together. 

3. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill for 15-20 minutes.

4. Heat the oven to 180C/350F/ Gas 4.

5. Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured work surface to about 4mm thick. 

6. Cut rounds using a large round cutter, re-rolling the trimmings as necessary – you should be able to make 18-20

7. Line the tins with the large pastry rounds and fill with 1 ½ teaspoons of mincemeat.

8. Bake the open pies for 20 to 25 minutes until golden.

9. Cool completely on a wire rack.

10. To make your buttercream, beat your butter either by hand or using an electric mixer until soft.

11. Add your icing sugar and beat until fully combined.

12. Once the butter and sugar are combined add your brandy a little at a time. Ensure each addition is fully combined before you add more.

13. Use a piping bag and nozzle to pipe the buttercream onto the pies and decorate with sprinkles.

Tip - If you don’t fancy brandy buttercream you could top with marzipan and rolled icing or pipe with fondant icing which sets.