Mince Pie Truffles Recipes

Steps:

• Place 375g plain flour and 260g softened unsalted butter in a bowl and rub together to a crumb consistency.
• Add 125g caster sugar and 1 large beaten 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 10 mins.
• Scoop the large jar of mincemeat into a bowl and add 2 segmented satsumas, 1 finely chopped apple and zest of 1 lemon.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
• Roll out the pastry to 3mm thick.
• Using a round cutter (about 10cm), cut out 16 bases and place them into muffin trays. Put 1½ tbsp mincemeat mixture into each. Brush the edge of each pie with a little beaten egg.
• Re-roll out the pastry to cut 7cm lids and press them on top to seal. Glaze with the beaten egg, sprinkle with the extra caster sugar, then make a small cut in the tops.
• Bake the mince pies for 15-20 mins until golden brown. Leave to cool before releasing them from the muffin trays and dusting with a little more icing sugar before serving.

Steps:

• Line two baking trays with baking parchment. Put the shortbread in a food bag and crush to fine crumbs, then tip into a large bowl. Add the mixed spice, mincemeat, orange zest, cream and a pinch of salt, and mix until combined. Melt the milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water or in the microwave in short bursts, then stir this into the mixture. Chill for 45-50 mins until firm enough to roll into balls.
• Roll a heaped teaspoon of the mixture into a ball and put on the lined tray. If the mixture is a little sticky, dampen your hands slightly. Repeat with the rest of the mixture and chill for 45 mins-1 hr more until set.
• Melt the dark chocolate as before, then leave to cool slightly and pour into a small, deep bowl. Dip each truffle into it using a fork and shake off the excess. Put on the second tray to set. When set, decorate with edible gold lustre, if using. Will keep in a cool place or the fridge for a week.