Classic Mince Pies

This page incorporates text from the public domain cookbook Household Cyclopedia by Henry Hartshorne.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds beef, boiled and chopped
  • 1 pound suet
  • 2 pounds granulated sugar
  • 2 pounds raisins
  • 4 pounds chopped apples
  • 1 pint wine
  • 1 pint cider
  • Mace
  • Nutmeg
  • Orange zest
  • Pie dough
Classic Mince Pies

Photo: Myalbanianfood / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Procedure

  1. Combine beef, suet, sugar, raisins, apples, wine, and cider until thin enough.
  2. Add mace, nutmeg, and orange zest to taste.
  3. If not sweet enough, add more sugar.
  4. Form pies with the pastry dough and filling.
  5. Bake pies.
  6. Warm the pies before serving.

Notes, tips, and variations

  • Butter may be used instead of suet.
  • The apples may be stewed and the cider reduced.