Orange mince pies and whisky ice cream

A fool-proof mince pie recipe and ice cream recipe, just in time for Christmas Eve.

It’s not really Christmas Eve without a mince pie. The crumble pastry, hot and boozy rich filling served with oozing melted brandy butter (or my whisky ice cream?). At 5 years old it was one of the first things my mum got me to make at Christmas. By the age of 10 I was on a step ladder carving the Turkey, by 14 I was cooking the entire Christmas dinner…

Every year I make an orange pastry from scratch. What I do like to do is cheat on the filling by pepping up a shop-brought jar of mincemeat. It can be a bit lack lustre but a cheap jar of mincemeat is really good when mixed with a chopped eating apple or a bit of stem ginger in syrup. Perhaps an extra glug of booze if you’re that way inclined?

Either way the act of making mince pies on Christmas Eve is really relaxing and if you’re not quite feeling festive it will put you in the mood - the process, the smell and of course - the first buttery bite.

Happy Christmas folks, have a lovely one.

Esther x

Orange pastry mince pies

PREP 15 mins COOK 30 mins MAKES 12