Plant-based fruit mince pies

You wouldn't believe that these fruit mince pies are plant-based, oil and gluten free. The pastry is crispy and delicious. The filling is sweet and delicious. Try as much as possible to choose sulphur and oil free dried fruits. These are definitely worth the effort!

INGREDIENTS

Fruit mince

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup sultanas

1/3 cup currants

1/3 cup cranberries

1/3 cup dried figs

1 lemon, juice and zest

1 orange, juice and zest

¼ cup peel

1 apple, grated

1/4 cup panela*

1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ginger, ground

¼ teaspoon cloves, ground

1/4 cup brandy or apple juice

Pastry

4 tablespoons ground flaxseed

8 tablespoons water

2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

3.5 cups almond meal

2/3 cup tapioca flour

1/2 cup panela*

1 teaspoon salt METHOD

1. Make fruit mince by mixing all ingredients (except brandy/juice) in a medium saucepan. Heat over a medium heat until bubbling and delicious, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add brandy/juice and allow to sit for several hours.

2. Preheat oven to 180 degree Celsius.

3. To make the pastry, mix the flaxseed and water and set aside. In a large bowl mix vanilla, almond meal, flour, sugar and salt. Add flaxseed mixture and incorporate. Keep mixing until a ball forms (you may need to use your hands.

4. Roll half of pastry between two sheets of baking paper and cut to the size appropriate for whatever tart tin you are using. I used a 12-pie non-stick tin. Repeat until all the pie cases are filled.

5. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes.

6. Fill pies with fruit mince taking care not to over fill (if they leak over the edges they will stick to the pan).

7. Roll the other half of the pastry between two sheets of baking paper and cut out star shapes with a cookie cutter. Place these on top of the filled pies and sprinkle with extra sugar. Reduce oven temperature to 160 degrees and bake for 15 minutes.

8. If there is any remaining pastry, cut out with star cookie cutter and bake for 15 minutes until slightly browned, enjoy with a cut of tea.

*Panela sugar is also called rapadura sugar. It is simply evapourated sugar cane juice. It contains much of the nutrition of the sugar cane and is less processed than other forms of sugar. It’s available in most supermarkets.

Makes 12 pies