Making mince pies - when?

Hi Louise,

Just wondering - in your recipe, do 36 mince pies take 3lbs of mincemeat? I'm sorry - I have no idea how much would be a pound! Just trying to work out how much I'd need to make as I wouldn't want to end up with tonnes of leftover mincemeat.

Thanks,
Sarah

No 3lbs makes tons! I'd probably halve the recipe or perhaps even less if you're only making a few. I tend to make over 200 in total throughout December so I make 3 or 4 lots of mincemeat and that is usually more than enough.

Thanks for that!

Do you cook them first and then freeze them? I want to make some this year but I'm clueless!!!

Do you cook them first and then freeze them? I want to make some this year but I'm clueless!!!

If you want to make them in advance then yes. Or you could just make the pastry in advance and freeze that. I make mine in advance, then warm them through and dust with icing sugar before serving.

Thanks @Louise. I want to take some to pre-school next Tuesday but the weekend is going to be a bit busy so I was thinking of making them tomorrow night and sticking them in the freezer until next week.

Decisions, decisions!!!

I made all mine yesterday and have them in the freezer.

I am yet to start *any* Christmas baking but am off to soak the fruit for my cake now & hope to start mincemeat tomorrow

I'm making Candy Cane Soup this evening.

I am yet to start *any* Christmas baking but am off to soak the fruit for my cake now & hope to start mincemeat tomorrow

I didn't make my own mincemeat this year but obviously made my own pastry. Yesterday I made mince pies, rocky road, and breakfast muffins to go with the cakes and puddings already made. I feel relieved to have some of it already stashed away!