How famous mince pies will make thousands for charity

• 100 g (3.5oz) butter, softened
• 100 g (3.5oz) sugar
• 2 eggs
• 100 g (3.5oz) ground almonds
• 50 g (1.8oz) flour
• 25 g (0.9oz) Amaretto (or a drop or two of almond essence)
• 1 large cooking apple, peeled then grated
• 1 orange, zest only
• 50 g (1.8oz) pitted prunes, finely chopped
• 25 g (0.9oz) dried cranberries, finely chopped
• 1 tsp black treacle
• 500 g (17.6oz) Christmas fruit mincemeat
• 75 g (2.6oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 pinch table salt
• 40 g (1.4oz) icing sugar, sifted
• 1 medium free range egg, beaten
• 150 g (5.3oz) plain flour

1. Make the pastry first by creaming the butter and icing sugar together until pale and fluffy.
2. Add the salt and egg and mix well; add the flour and combine until the dough just comes together (if you overwork the dough, it will alter the crispness of the finished product).
3. Turn out onto a floured bench and shape into a circle.
4. Clingfilm and refrigerate the dough until firm.
5. Dip it into flour, then place on a sheet of baking paper.
6. Roll out to approximately 3mm thick, flour well, and leave to rest in the fridge for 20 minutes.
7. Remove and, using a circle cutter, cut out the desired circle sizes you require.
8. For the mince mix: combine all the ingredients and set aside.
9. For the frangipane: cream the butter and sugar then fold in the remaining ingredients and combine well.
10. Place into a piping bag and set aside.
11. Preheat your oven to 180C.
12. To assemble the tarts: line a tart tray with pastry discs, then 2/3 fill with the mince mix.
13. Pipe a good dollop of frangipane on top then place in the oven until the frangipane turns a pale golden colour (approximately 15 minutes).
14. If you wish, douse with a good splash of Amaretto when they come out of the oven.
15. Allow to cool before eating.

butter, sugar, eggs, ground almonds, flour, almond, cooking apple, orange, prunes, cranberries, black treacle, unsalted butter, salt, icing sugar, range egg, flour

Taken from www.lovefood.com/guide/recipes/23342/how-famous-mince-pies-will-make-thousands-for-charity (may not work)