Cranberry and Almond Mince Pies for Holiday Bliss

A plate of mince pies are on the table

Almond Mince Pies offer a delicious option for holiday dessert lovers. For those avoiding sugar plums, this is a perfect alternative. These pies add extra delight to the festive atmosphere.

Almond Mince Pies recipe

Mince pie, or mincemeat pie, is a traditional sweet pie from England. They were a mix of meats, fruits, and spices in the shape of a manger. They symbolize the gifts of the Magi. Over the centuries, the meat started to disappear from the recipe. Modern recipes are sweet and fruit-filled.

Mince pie is enjoyed during the Christmas season. In the UK, eating this treat every day from Christmas to Twelfth Night is believed to bring good luck. Kids often leave them out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.

Easy almond mince pies are traditional Christmas desserts
Almond mince pies recipe for Christmas

I decided to make cranberry and almond mince pie. This combination may sound a little bizarre, but it worked. Gluten-free pastry is essential for this recipe. Ground almonds improved the pastry texture.

Almond mince pies are a fruity version of the classic. They suit gluten-free diets for Christmas. They combine tradition with fresh flavor. This is how to make cranberry and almond mince pies.

A plate of mince pies are on the table

Cranberry and Almond Mince Pies

A delightful festive twist on traditional mince pies, featuring sweet and tart cranberries paired with rich almond frangipane. They are perfect for holiday entertaining or as a special seasonal treat.
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Total Time 2 hours
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine British
Servings 13
Calories 190 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the mincemeat

  • 200 g fresh cranberries
  • 150 g mixed dried fruit and candied peel
  • 50 g sultanas
  • 60 ml port
  • 75 g muscavado sugar
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 clementine
  • 25 ml brandy
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • A couple of drops of almond extract

For the pastry

  • 9 oz gluten-free white plain flour blend
  • 1 oz ground almonds
  • 2 tsp caster sugar
  • 5 oz butter
  • 1 beaten egg

Instructions
 

  • To make the mincemeat, put the port, muscavado sugar, and cranberries into a large pan. Turn on the heat and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.
  • Add the dried fruit and spices. Grate in the zest of the clementine and squeeze in all the juice. Mix together and allow to simmer gently with a lid on until the fruit has absorbed nearly all the liquid.
  • Mix in the pan, squashing down the cranberries. Allow to cool slightly, then add the brandy, honey and almond extract (you only need the tiniest amount!) and mix well until everything is fully incorporated. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and leave to allow the flavours to intensify.
  • Meanwhile, make the pastry. Put the flour, ground almonds, and sugar into a large mixing bowl and add the butter in small cubes.
  • Rub the mixture lightly between your fingertips until it is all combined. It should form a sandy texture. Add a couple of teaspoons of the beaten egg and a little water and bring together into a ball of dough. Wrap in clingfilm and put into the fridge to rest for at least 30 minutes.
  • Grease a shallow muffin tin and preheat the oven to 180oC.
  • Roll out the pastry quite thinly (you want delicate, crisp pastry) and use a small, round cookie cutter (or a narrow glass) to cut circles out. Press the circles into the tin and fill each one with a teaspoon of the mincemeat.
  • With the remaining pastry, cut out stars big enough to reach across the top of each pie. Glaze the pastry with the remaining beaten egg to give it a golden glow.
  • Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes – as soon as the pastry is golden, they are done.
  • Repeat this process until you have used up all the pastry and mincemeat. Make sure you give the tin a chance to cool before reloading.
  • Leave the pies to cool on a wire rack then dredge with icing sugar, or serve warm from the oven with a little cream or brandy butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5.5gSodium: 60mgSugar: 14g
Keyword baking recipes, British baking, Christmas dessert, holiday recipe, homemade dessert
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Pairing suggestions

Cranberry and almond mince pies can be paired with a variety of dishes and drinks.

  1. Wine Pairings
    • Sherry enhances nutty notes and complements fruity pies.
    • Sweet wines pair great with mince pies.
    • Gewürztraminer matches pie flavors and echoes pie spices.
    • Blanc de Noirs enhances pies’ sweetness.
  2. Other Drink Options
    • Mulled wine complements pie spices.
    • Port works with nutty flavors and enhances the pie taste.
    • Cider provides a refreshing contrast and refreshes rich pies.
    • Coffee balances pies’ sweetness.
    • Tea provides a cozy pairing.
  3. Food Pairings
    • Crème fraîche adds creamy texture to pies. It complements cranberries’ tartness.
    • Vanilla ice cream provides a rich contrast to the filling.
    • Almond ice cream contrasts the pie’s sweetness.
    • Custard is a comforting addition. It pairs well with tangy pie notes.
    • Fruit compote adds flavor layers and provides dish freshness.

Mince pie Variations

Mince pies are a beloved festive treat, and they have numerous creative variations. Here are some exciting twists on this classic dessert:

  • Frangipane mince pies have almond frangipane toppings.
  • Hazelnut crunch pies contain mincemeat with grated apple, orange zest, and a crunchy hazelnut layer.
  • Vegan mince pies use spiced black cherry, hazelnut, and apple.
  • Custard & crumble mince pies include creamy custard layers and crumbly toppings.
  • Gingerbread mince pies incorporate ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the pastry.
  • Lemon meringue mince pies feature torched lemon meringue toppings. It adds a zesty contrast to sweet mincemeat.
  • Cinnamon swirl mince pies combine elements of cinnamon rolls and mince pies.
  • Mincemeat Chelsea buns mix sticky buns with mincemeat, dried fruits, and spices.
  • Mince pie baklava pairs flaky baklava layers with mincemeat filling and is served warm for indulgence.
  • Mincemeat samosas bake spiced mincemeat wrapped in crisp filo pastry.
  • Baileys mince pies are infused with Baileys Irish Cream for a rich and creamy holiday treat. Clementine & sloe gin mince pies include clementine zest and sloe gin in the filling.

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