Easy Pastry

Now the mincemeat is ready, time for the pastry!

Don't be too proud to buy pastry, it took me a long time to find a recipe that worked for me & I still buy it now if time isn't on my side! If you fancy having a go try my easy pastry!

Makes enough pastry for about 15-16 mince pies, approx 15p each

Ingredients

250g plain flour

pinch of salt

110g butter, cubed

3-4 tbsp cold water

Method

Put the flour & salt in a large bowl & add the cubes of butter.

Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs making sure there are no chunks of butter left.

Gradually stir in the water with a knife until a dough starts to form, bring it together with your hands & knead briefly. Try not to handle the dough too much as it will become greasy.

Wrap the dough in cling film & chill for about 15 minutes.

Alternatively you can make this pastry in a food processor, just put the flour, salt & butter in the bowl & pulse it until the flour is rubbed in to the butter. Then turn the processor on to the first speed setting & gradually add the water until the dough starts to come together.

You can also freeze the pastry just wrap well in cling film & pop into the freezer until you need it!