Old Fashioned Sweet Delights:
Spiced Mincemeat Meringue Pies (Recipe)
The humble mince pie needs little embellishments in my humble opinion – a crisp, crumbly and buttery shortcrust pastry base filled with fruity home-made mincemeat, with a dash of brandy, and a simple lid of more buttery pastry – a sprinkling of caster sugar maybe, or even a little icing sugar, and that’s the perfect mince pie for me. However, I have been known to add orange zest to my pastry, as well as a crumble topping for a lighter, less pastry loaded treat. And, the other day I discovered the power of a lightly spiced meringue topping, and I have to report that I was rather smitten with this new-fangled lid. The same home-made pastry lined my grandmother’s old mince pie tins, the same vintage pastry cutters cut the circles and my delectable fat-free boozy mincemeat was loaded into the waiting pastry cases. I then went slightly off-piste and using two egg whites that I had lurking in the fridge, I added a little sweet pudding mixed spice, again this was home-made, I then whisked it up with caster sugar into light clouds of meringue; the result was a fabulous mince pie, traditional in all ways it should be, but a little light and frivolous with its light marshmallow topping, it was quite simply divine.
The mince pies also looked rather sophisticated, as well as terribly expensive in a French macaron kind of way. They were just as tasty as my traditional “pastry lid on” versions, but much lighter and the mixed spice added an extra festive flavour to the pies, as well as an added level of gourmet gorgeousness. I think that they would make great gifts, if popped into a pretty box tied with ribbon……..and a sprig of holly. Perfect with a cup of tea, or equally at home with a glass of chilled white wine, these “mincers”, as we call them up North, are for adults only I think; so, pop the kids to bed, pour a glass of wine and indulge in a couple of these for Christmas, why not! Interested in where the mince pie may have come from, well I am, so here’s a little quote as well as an old recipe about our most popular of Christmas pies.
On 25 December 1662, Samuel Pepys described his Christmas feast: “A mess of brave plum-porridge and a roasted pullet for dinner, and I sent for a mince pie abroad, my wife not being well to make any herself yet.”
![mince-pies1 Three centuries of mince pies. Front row (left to right): Sir Kenelm Digby's Mince Pies iced with Ambergris Sugar (1670) ), Edward Kidder's Shaped Mince Pies (c.1720), Lady Barbara Fleming's Mutton Mince Pie (1673). Back row (left to right):Urbain Dubois's Puff Paste Mince Pies (1871) and Mrs Isabella Beeton's Shortcrust Mince Pies (1861).](https://i0.wp.com/www.lavenderandlovage.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/mince-pies1.jpg?resize=600%2C342&ssl=1)
Three centuries of mince pies. Front row (left to right): Sir Kenelm Digby’s Mince Pies iced with Ambergris Sugar (1670) ), Edward Kidder’s Shaped Mince Pies (c.1720), Lady Barbara Fleming’s Mutton Mince Pie (1673). Back row (left to right):Urbain Dubois’s Puff Paste Mince Pies (1871) and Mrs Isabella Beeton’s Shortcrust Mince Pies (1861)
Image: Historic Food Com
Gervase Markham’s Minc’t Pie
Take a Legge of Mutton, and cut the best of the flesh from the bone, and parboyl it well then put to it three pound of the best Mutton suet & shred it very small; then spread it abroad, and fashion it with Salt Cloves and Mace: then put in good store of Currants, great Raisins and Prunes clean washed and picked a few Dates sliced, and some Orenge-pils sliced ; then being all well mixt together, put it into a coffin, or into divers coffins, and so bake them
and when they are served up, open the lids and strow store of Sugar on the top of the meat and upon the lid. And in this sort you may also bake Beef or Veal, onely the Beef would not be parboyld, and the Veal will ask a double quantity of Suet.
From Gervase Markham The English Housewife, (London: 1615)
Going slightly off topic for a minute – my latest article has been published at Garlic and Sapphire, Herbal and Festive Gifts in Jars and Bottles – please do take a look and comments are always lovely to read too! There are lots of ideas over there for thoughtful, home-made gifts in jars……and bottles too. I have shared a lovely gift idea over there, that can be rustled up and added to a hamper for family and friends this Christmas, Home-Made Herbal Stuffing Mix.
Back to my mince pie recipe for today, I have shared the recipe below, and DO try this recipe over the Christmas period, I think they are little stunners! That’s it for today, I will be back later with more recipes and also a couple of reviews too…..Karen
Spiced Mincemeat Meringue Pies
Serves | 12 |
Prep time | 25 minutes |
Cook time | 20 minutes |
Total time | 45 minutes |
Allergy | Egg, Wheat |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Dessert, Side Dish, Snack |
Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
Occasion | Casual Party, Christmas, Formal Party |
Region | British |
By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 2 large free-range egg whites
- 125g caster sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1 quantity home-made pastry (Standard pastry: made with 225g plain flour and 100g fats)
- 1/2 jar of home-made mincemeat
Note
Elegant, light meringue topped mince pies with a hint of mixed spice; these make a wonderful addition to any Christmas buffet table and also make a lovely dessert after a festive meal, maybe with a dollop of cream on the side. If you really want to push the boat out, add a dash of brandy or Cognac to each mince pie before adding the meringue topping.
Directions
Step 1 | Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas Mark 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface. Press out 12 circles with a pastry cutter and then line a 12 hole mince pie or bun tin with the pastry circles. Prick the bases with a fork and then bake them blind bake for about 5 to 7 minutes. |
Step 2 | Remove the baking beads from the pastry circles and spoon 1 heaped teaspoon of mincemeat into each pastry case; put them back in the oven for 5 minutes. |
Step 3 | Meanwhile, whisk the egg whites to medium peaks with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer, and then gradually add the sugar with the mixed spice. Whisk until stiff and glossy. |
Step 4 | Carefully spoon the meringue onto the pies and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the meringue is a pale golden brown. Makes 12 little pies. |
Dom says
I adore these. They look so perfect and so posh too! The Viking’s sister always makes meringue topped mince pies and inspired me to make mine this year too and I think I may never look back. I’ve also added desiccated coconut to the meringue topping for some extra fabulousness. You should try it. I love your vintage pie tins too. So pretty. Great post as always!
Karen Booth says
Thanks Dom – I LOVED your mince pie post and when I saw I had two egg whites in the fridge, my mind was made up to make some meringue mince pies! I added mixed spice to the meringues and we all loved it, but, next time, I will add that coconut as you suggested! Karen![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
Jacqueline says
What an ingenius idea Karen I love it. I also love the fact that your pies have secretly patterned bums that no one sees!
Karen Booth says
Thanks Jac! You can ONLY see the bottoms of the pies when someone else is eating them!
Karen
Laura Loves Cakes says
This is a great twist on a traditional mince pie…and your meringue looks so crisp! I bet these taste lovely![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
Karen Booth says
Thanks Laura – these were a lovely way to eat mince pies, and lighter than all pastry. Karen
ashleigh says
Yum – never seen anything like this before, they look fab!
Karen Booth says
Thanks, these make a nice change to the pastry top and bottom ones! Karen
Kathryn says
These are really lovely – what a fabulous idea to make a little meringue topping. They really look like super mince pies!
Karen Booth says
Thanks Kathryn, these really did go down a storm with all who ate them. Karen
KIT says
Wow! I love mince pie & this is one amazing idea with meringue topping! looks great & so festive ! I really hope I can try to make my own mince meat pie coz I really miss eating them!
Karen Booth says
I have some mincemeat recipes on the blog too Kit, and they are both very easy to make! Karen![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
I’ve tried out a few different topping on mince pies but for some reason meringue had never occurred to me. Wonderful idea!
Karen Booth says
Thanks Sarah, I might even make macaron tops next time! Karen
Susan El Carter says
Just goes to show, an old dog like me can learn new tricks – thanks for the inventive recipe – I’m going to give these a whirl.
Karen Booth says
Thanks Susan! They are pretty lush!
Hayley Wells says
Ooh what a nice change from regular mince pies! I’ll have to give them a whirl![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
Karen Booth says
Thanks Hayley! Let me know if you make them!
Alicia Roberts says
Gorgeous twist on a traditional mince pie recipe!
Karen Booth says
Thanks so much! Karen
Lynn Savage says
Ooooh these look very tasty, a great different way to do mince pies, I’ve got some mincemeat left over from Christmas that needs using up.
Alan C says
We put meringue on top of our mince pies this Christmas and it made a nice change to the pastry topped ones
Karen Booth says
Meringue really lightens them up doesn’t it?
Alan C says
It certainly does
Maya Russell says
Love the meringue topping idea. So different.
tracy says
I love mince pies and I’m sure that I would love these too. They look so delicious and very different
Fiona Matters says
What a fabulous idea. I love making mince pies – but find doing the tops really fiddly sometimes.
Galina V says
They look like something Mrs Pattmore would bake for Dowager Duchess, very posh and elegant.
Dee Johnson says
I always like to make my own mince pies at Christmas, infact we eat them all year round. This is a fab idea to top them with meringue, they would make a lovely sweet eat after any meal.
Fiona Matters says
These look fabby – I do love meringues and mince pies… and
Tracy Nixon says
Thanks shared via G+1
Fiona Matters says
Shared on twitter – I still have some mincemeat left over from Christmas and these sound yummy! Would be good with one of the recipies that uses egg yokes in the pastry. I hate throwing out egg bits for some reason!
Shelley Jessup says
These sound lush! I’ve shared this post on twitter @jessups
Tracy Nixon says
shared on FB thanks
Tracy Nixon says
shared on Facebook 28/02
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter as @maisietoo – https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/307814760248922113
shelley jessup says
I have tweeted this as @jessups
Maya Russell says
Shared on Twitter again as @maisietoo – https://twitter.com/maisietoo/status/316824421857906688
melanie harbor says
kids loved these!
Tracy Nixon says
Love this recipe! Shared on FB thanks
Rebecca Nisbet says
Ok so this has been saved on my reading lists! These are going to be made at Christmas!
Barrie says
Could be perfect to eat while wrapping presents with a small libation to hand.
ursula hunt says
Never thought of putting meringue tops on mince pies, great idea
Tracy Nixon says
My baking challenge for the weekend is to make meringue – I quite fancy this recipe – a little adventureous maybe ? or maybe not ? we’ll see! Watch this space!
HELEN BARTON says
These look delicious![🙂](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/1f642.svg)
Maya Russell says
A fab alternitive to the normal baked mince pie. Shared on Twitter, @maisietoo.