It drives me a little crazy that all the vegan and free-from mince pies out there are full of sugar and other rubbish. So, here are some that aren’t and guess what? They taste delicious also! Winner!
Makes: 16 – 18 Mince Pies
Pastry Ingredients:
400g of almonds, ground
400g dates
4 tbsp. of coconut oil
1 tbsp. vanilla extract (non-alcoholic)
2 tbsp. agave nectar
2 tbsp. of water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 180C / gas mark 4
- While the fruit is cooking, add all the pastry ingredients to a food processor and process until well blended
- Grease each section of a bun tin with a little melted coconut oil
- Flour your kitchen side and roll pastry out to around 0.5cm thick and cut out circles to fit your bun tin
- Place the pastry circles in the bun tin and put in the oven for 5 minutes (they will still appear moist when removed)
- With the remaining pastry, cut out shapes for the top of the pies (I like hearts, but stars or circles work well also)
- Add filling and place pastry on top (do not overfill)
- Place in over for 10-12 minutes
- Again they will appear soft, but they will harden when they cool down
- Add vegan cashew cream to serve if you fancy and extra special treat
Filling Ingredients:
2 apples, chopped into small pieces
50g apricots, chopped
100g raisins
50g sultanas
Juice and zest of 3 oranges
2 tbsp. agave nectar
2 tbsp. of coconut oil
1 tsp. mixed spice, ground
2 tsp. of cinnamon, ground
1 tsp. of ginger, ground
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Directions:
- Slice the oranges into fours (with the skin will on) and juice
- Add the juice and all the other ingredients to a saucepan and cook on a low heat until everything is tender and the juice has been absorbed