Delicious, dairy free and all homemade, we love making our own fruit mince pies, filling our home with the smell of Christmas goodness.
The mincemeat can be used for mince pies or why not core an apple, fill the middle with the mincemeat and bake until the apple is soft for another alternative, serve with a spoon or two of coconut yogurt.
Plant based mincemeat
150g grated apple
1 tbsp orange rind
6 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
100g coconut oil
30g coconut sugar
250g mixed fruit (sultanas, apricots, raisins, cranberries)
2 tsp mixed spice
Method:
Peel, core and grate the apples into a saucepan.
Add the finely grated orange rind and orange juice.
Add the coconut oil, and coconut sugar and gentle heat.
Bring to a simmer for 8-10 minutes until the apples are soft.
Remove from the saucepan and add the mixed fruit and mixed spice.
Stir and leave to cool.
Once cooled, spoon into a sterilised jar and add a label and a red bow if you wish for extra merriness.
The mincemeat will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks or it can also be stored in the freezer.
Pastry recipe: (you can of course buy ready made pastry if you are short of time)
240 g whole spelt flour
110g virgin coconut oil (place in the fridge to firm up first )
½ tsp sea salt
1/3 cup + 1 tbsp ice water
METHOD
Turn on the oven to 180°C/350°F.
Mix together the flour and salt in a mixing bowl and add the coconut oil rubbing together to create a breadcrumb consistency.
Add 1/3 cup ice water into the bowl and mix with a fork until the dough comes together.
Add the extra tbsp of water if needed and work the dough into a ball.
Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap it in cling film placing in the fridge for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes remove from the fridge and roll out on a floured work surface.
Using a round cookie cutter stamp out the pastry into a pastry tin, adding a spoon of mincemeat into each hole.
Cover with another circle of pastry or leave them as open tarts.
Brush with a little plant based milk and place in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Enjoy!
