Right, I'm kicking off the festive season with some treats. Treats that are quick and easy to make are a winner as far as I'm concerned, and these Puff Pastry Mince Pie Squares are exactly that. Ready in under 30 minutes and so easy to make. These are also a firm family favourite.
I mean what's not to love about flaky puff pastry with all the flavours of Christmas. These puff pastry mince pie squares are great for making with the kids, in fact, the kids could probably make these themselves! We make these every year, usually on Christmas Eve. However, they are also perfect for holiday entertaining and I also make them for festive family get-togethers too.
We also make the traditional Christmas mince pies but there is a divide in our house. My daughter and I love traditional mince pies, we usually have them warm with custard. But my husband hates them, he gets a lot of stick for being a bah-humbug over this! So we had to come up with something he liked and he loves these. Don't ask me how or why I think its the pastry, anyway we had a winner in these puff pastry mince pies so we're sticking with them.
So, instead of the traditional shortcrust pastry, we use puff pastry to make these. Ready-made, ready rolled is fine, it's Christmas, everyone is busy, no one has time t0 make puff pastry, don't do that to yourself! We add some clementine zest to the mincemeat, it really adds a lovely little zing to the mincemeat. However, if you don't have clementines then orange zest works well too. Once the pies are cooked we add some finely chopped walnuts then dust the whole lot with a little icing sugar.
Now I know everyone likes their mince pies differently, but this is how it goes down in my house; straight from the oven then covered with steaming hot custard. It's no different for these puff pastry mince pie squares! You can do it your own way though. My husband likes them on their own. I have heard a generous spoon of whipped cream is good as is a small serving of ice cream, but I really couldn't tell you how I know that 😉
What you will need to make these puff pastry mince pie squares:
- two baking trays
- parchment paper
- a sharp knife
- a fine-mesh sieve
- pastry brush
What's so great about these puff pastry mince pie squares?
- They are so easy to make, perfect for making with the kids during the holidays
- Quick to make, they only take a maximum of 25 minutes to make!
- They taste so good! That little hint of clementine zest makes a big difference
- Festive yumminess, everyone will be in the festive spirit as soon as they smell these cooking!
Puff Pastry Mince Pie Square
Ingredients
- 1 x 410g jar of mincemeat
- 1 x 320g roll of ready rolled puff pastry
- 25 g walnuts chopped
- The zest of one large clementine
- 2 teaspoon icing sugar
- 1 medium egg whisked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C / 392 F I use a fan assisted oven please adjust according to your own oven.Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- Unroll the pastry but leave it on the paper it was wrapped in. Now cut the pastry into 12 squares.Using a 6 cm round chefs ring score a circle in the middle of each square.Place the pastry square on the two baking trays.
- Stir the clementine zest into the mincemeat. Then add roughly 2 teaspoons of mincemeat onto the circle in the middle of the pastry square.Brush the edges with the egg. Then place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Or until the pastry has risen and the pastry is golden brown.
- Once cooked remove from the oven, leave to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a baking tray. Sprinkle the walnuts over each mince pie square then using a fine sieve dust the mince pie squares with the icing sugar.Serve warm or cold.
Notes
- Calories are approximate and are based on one serving. They do not include any extra custard, cream or ice cream.
- I used an all butter puff pastry to make these, all butter pastry will give you the best results.
- I used a good quality store-bought jar of mincemeat to make these.
- These puff pasty mincemeat squares were inspired by and roughly adapted from this recipe here.
Nutrition
More Festive Treats and Party Appetisers:
- Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
- Cheese and Onion Rolls
- Stuffed Mini Portabella Mushrooms
- Goat's Cheese Tart with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
- Chocolate Covered Stuffed Dates
Hilary
Just made these babies! Oh my, yes, we’ve outdone ourselves again
I made 8 large squares instead of 12 small. I used a cup for the circle outline. Bakes 18 minutes and they are perfection. Like a Danish pastry size and perfect for my hard working hubby to take to work with him tomorrow.
Michelle Alston
Awesome Hilary! I'm so glad you like them. And I hope your husband enjoys them too x
Holly
Mmm, these mince pie squares look so delicious! They remind me of my grandmothers mince pies which I adored and miss terribly.
Michelle Alston
Ah thank you so much Holly Xx
Nicole
I am always amazed by your photography. These tarts looks like the perfect appetizer for the holidays!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
I'm always looking to bring new recipes for our Christmas morning breakfast with the family. Not only are they gorgeous, but they sound delicious and will be wonderful with a cup of coffee and our holiday breakfast spread.
Tammy
I just love mincemeat pie! Baked into the puffed squares like this is such an elegant idea! These look wonderful <3
Sri Mallya
Love puff pastries. I wish I could grab few right now. Looks amazingly delicious. Pinned to try this soon.
Anne Lawton
My mother always made mince pie for my father during the holidays. I've never tried it but these with the puff pastry look like something to try!
Karyl Henry
I've just recently started using puff pastry and I love it! It's so convenient, and looks like you've spent hours in the kitchen. These look so good for holiday parties
lauren
I've never had this before! They do look delicious though. Just the right size for holiday entertaining without making a mess. The puff pastry looks so light and buttery.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli
Beautiful appetizer, perfect for holiday entertaining! Love when we can use store-bought puff pastry to make delicious treats and save some time!
Kiki Johnson
These look so festive and pretty! We can get mincemeat in jars at the farmer's market which is probably the best choice - apart from homemade obviously! Can't wait to try!
Jacqueline Meldrum
What a nice idea for Christmas and so simple too. Shared!
Michelle Alston
Thanks Jacqueline x
Kelly Anthony
These are so beautiful! I was just wondering about mincemeat yesterday. I've never made anything with it and wasn't sure what the ingredients were, but looks so yummy! What all is in the mincemeat filling?
Michelle Alston
Thank you so much Kelly x Mincemeat is a mixture of chopped dried fruit, spices, sugar and sometimes alcohol, you can buy it ready-made in jars or you can make it yourself. It's mostly used to make mince pies here in the UK and Ireland 😉
Claudia Lamascolo
I love this idea of puff pastry and mince pie squares, they are so elegantly served with that crust! perfection
Michelle Alston
Thanks Claudia x
Mary Bostow
These would make such perfect edible gifts during the holiday season! Love it!
Adrianne
What a modern take on a classic, I really like these! Puff pastry is a winner in my book at the best of times. Yum, delicious recipe! Cheers
Dannii
I love finding mince pie alternatives and I think my husband would love these!
Michelle Alston
Thanks Dannii, my husband loves these x
Veena Azmanov
I love how simple and easy these are. They would be perfect for a party or get together with friends. Perfect bite size appetizers.