Days out diary - child friendly and family activities

Family days out Lake district cruise on Lake Windermere Family days out Magna Science and Technology Centre Family days out museums Family days out rowing boats on Derwent Water Family days out UK holidays Family days out zoos Family days out childrens farm

Cooking with kids Mince Pies

Here is a recipe for easy home-made mince pies. It's a slight variation on the traditional pies recipe with a sweeter pastry.

This recipe is great for cooking with kids.

You can make your own mincemeat, but it's easier using a standard jar of good quality mincemeat.

Makes 12 mince pies

Homemade mince pies

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 225g plain flour
  • 25g caster sugar
  • 125g unsalted butter / stork (chilled)
  • 2 medium eggs (yoke)
  • 2 tbsp hot water

Filling

  • 300g jar mincemeat (approx 3/4 of a jar)

Pastry topping

  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tbsp caster sugar

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 190°C Gas 6.

Grease a bun tray (12 hole)

Sieve the flour into a bowl and mix in the sugar.

Rub the diced butter into the flour mixture.

Add the egg and water and mix to form a dough.

Knead the dough until smooth.

Leave the dough in the fridge for 10 minutes.

Roll the dough until it's 2mm to 4mm deep.

Cut 12 discs using a large round cutter.

Place the pastry discs in the bun tray.

Place a generous teaspoon of mincemeat into each pie.

Cut 12 discs using a medium round cutter.

Optionally mark the top of the disc using a star shape (I used the shaped top to distinguish between traditional and deluxe mincemeat filling.

Put the pie lid on top, glaze with milk and sprinkle with caster sugar.

Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes until golden.