Mince pies

1. 1. To make the pastry, rub the butter into the flour, then mix in the sugar and just a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball - don't add liquid - and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediatly, or chill for later.

2. 2. Preheat the oven to 200c/gas 6/ fan 180c. Put some oil on some kitchen roll and spread around a cupcake tin. Roll out the dough as thick or as thin as you want. Use a round cutter or something with a round rim and cut out half the dough in that cutter. The other half of the dough, get a smaller cutter of something with a smaller rim, and again cut them out.

3. 3. Put the the big circles on the greased tray and put some mincemeat in them, don't put too much in! Then put the lids on as I call them. Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg or milk.

4. 4. Bake for 15 to 20 mins until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack. When cooled down sprinkle icing sugar over the top. Hope you like them!!