I have a recipe here that is suitable for those who may not be totally enamoured by mince pies. Although I love mince pies in their traditional form, others may not be so keen. Adding mincemeat to crumbles has always been something I like to do and I have made a pear and mincemeat strudel before.
Roasted pear & mincemeat crumble tarts
So here is an idea that combines many of the above. Roasted pear and mincemeat crumble tarts. Far lighter than your regular mince pie. This is for anyone out there who loves a good crumble in mini form.
The pears have been roasted in olive oil and orange blossom flower water which I received from Steenbergs a while ago. Now if you think you don’t like pears then try roasting them like this and you will change your mind. They would be equally at home on a salad but here in the mince pies, they add a layer of fruity goodness which cuts through the richness of the mincemeat.
Topping the mincemeat crumble tarts with a a classic crumble mixture and a handful of pine nuts lends a nutty warmth and elegance to a festive sweet treat. Best served with thick cream flavoured with a splash more of orange blossom flower water or freshly grated orange zest.
Some mince pie recipes from around the web:
Frangipane mince pies – Franglais Kitchen
Quick & easy filo mince pies – Feeding boys
Not quite Nigella’s mince pies
I am linking up to:
Treat Petite – The Baking Explorer & Cakeboi
Family Foodies – Bangers & Mash
Simple and in Season – Ren Behan
Roasted pear & mincemeat crumble tarts
Ingredients
- For the pastry 🙂
- 120 g Plain flour
- 60 g Unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp Cold water
- For the roasted pears 🙂
- 4 Pears peeled each cored and sliced into 12 segments,
- Generous splash of olive oil
- Capful of orange blossom flower water
- For the crumble topping 🙂
- 150 g Plain flour
- 80 g Demerara sugar
- Pinch of sea salt
- 100 g Unsalted butter cut into cubes
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Handful of pine nuts
- For the tarts 🙂
- 1 jar Home-made/shop bought mincemeat
Instructions
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For the pastry 🙂
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Place the flour and butter into a bowl and using your fingertips mix together until you achieve fine breadcrumbs,
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Add in 2tbsp cold water and bring the mixture together until it forms a ball of dough. You may need to add up to 4tbsp of water, adding it bit by bit to prevent the dough becoming too wet,
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Once the pastry has come together, wrap it in cling film and leave it to rest in the fridge for at least half an hour before rolling it out.
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For the roasted pears 🙂
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Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees and line a baking tray with baking parchment,
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Place the peeled, cored and sliced pears into a mixing bowl and pour in the olive oil and the orange blossom flower water. Mix well then transfer to the baking tray and roast for 30 minutes until the pears are turning golden around the edges. Once cooked set aside to cool,
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For the crumble topping 🙂
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Combine the flour and butter in a mixing bowl and rub the mixture together with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs,
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Add the sugar, sea salt, cinnamon and pine nuts to the crumble topping and stir to combine,
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For the tarts 🙂
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Pre-heat the oven to 190 degrees and butter a 12 hole bun/mince pie tin,
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Roll out the pastry and using a cutter, cut out circles of pastry to line the tin you are using. Prick the pastry with a fork,
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Add a spoon of mincemeat to each tart followed by a few slices of roasted pears. You may have to chop them up to fit into the tart as you don't want them to burn around the edges,
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Add a generous layer of crumble topping, enough to cover the pears and the mincemeat entirely,
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Bake in the oven for between 20-25 minutes until the tarts are perfectly golden brown,
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Eat whilst warm orange scented cream.
Recipe Notes
You might find you have spare crumble mixture and spare roasted pears. I always freeze my leftover crumble mixture in a zip lock bag or a plastic tub for a later date. The pears you should simply enjoy as a tasty snack or as part of a salad with a few walnuts and some blue cheese. They make for a wonderful winter salad idea.
They look gorgeous! I’m not over keen on mince pies with too much pastry these look great and I love the addition of roasted pears.
Pleased you like the addition of roast pears Jan, definitely makes for a lighter pie 🙂
What a great idea! I could just reach in and grab one to have with my afternoon cuppa. I have some pears lurking in the fruitbowl so will give these a go 🙂 I think we’ll have them warm from the oven with a drizzle of homemade custard.
Love that!
Gorgeous! I am soon to post a mincemeat and pear recipe too! But quite different so hopefully no one will think I am a copycat. 🙂 I’m not desperately fond of shop bought mince pies, but this is to mince pies what The Ivy is to McDonalds! No comparison!
Well we share lots of similar tastes Kellie and I look forward to reading your recipe soon x
You had me at orange blossom water and pine nuts! Wow!
Thanks Urvashi, I do love recipes that can be adapted to suit more modern tastes such as this
These look and sound absolutely divine. Using roasted pear is an ingenious idea and I love the idea of the orange blossom water too. A wonderful entry for December’s festive Family Foodies challenge. Thanks so much for linking up.
Having eaten Heston mince pies from Waitrose today, I must say that I prefer your twist on a mince pie any day.
Thanks Sally and in fact Heston’s are the only bought mince pies I have ever liked!
Lovely recipe Laura and a gorgeous photo, too! I will try roasted pears – they sound excellent.
Thanks Charlotte, hope you do!
this sounds wonderful – the pears are a nice way to lighten the richness of the mincemeat. mmm
The pears do lessen the mincemeat layer, although you could end up eating more of them!
Now I know what I will cook during the Christmas holidays. These look like really nutritional appetisiers – but even more, they also look classy!
Hi Jessy, thanks pleased you like them!
Love the crumble topping and addition of orange flower water – just love this flavour. Bon appetit and look forward to checking out more of your recipes. #LoveCake
Hi there, thanks for visiting me here. I hope you have a great Christmas 🙂
What a lovely alternative to traditional mince pies. Anything with pine nuts is always a winner with me! Thanks for linking up.