Christmas Brandied Mince Tarts

Name: Christmas Brandied Mince Tarts
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 1 h 3 min
Cuisine: European, British
Ingredients: 1 cup (142g) raisins; 1 1/2 cup (213g) golden raisins, divided*; 1 1/3 cup (190g) Zante currants, divided*; 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped; 1/4 cup (35g) candied mixed peel*; zest of 1 orange; zest of 1 lemon; 3/4 cup (159g) dark brown sugar, packed; 2 teaspoons King Arthur Yuletide Cheer Spice, or a combination of 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon each nutmeg and allspice; 1/8 teaspoon table salt; 2/3 cup (71g) almonds, slivered; 2 1/2 tablespoons (35g) butter, melted; 1/4 cup (57g) brandy, French brandy preferred; 2 cups (240g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or 2 cups (226g) King Arthur Pastry Flour Blend; heaping 1/2 teaspoon table salt*; 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature; 2 to 3 tablespoons (28g to 43g) ice water, enough to make a cohesive dough; King Arthur Baker's Special Sugar, optional for topping*

Instructions

Prep:35minCook:28min

This Christmas treat, when served in its native England, features a buttery crust filled with a sweet mixture of brandied minced fruit — apples, raisins, and candied peel — plus in its most traditional form, chopped beef. We eschew the beef in our Americanized version, and substitute a sugar-topped pastry star for the more classic meringue.

Updated at: Sun, 23 Feb 2025 01:01:43 GMT