These easy Mincemeat Pinwheels are much quicker and easier to make than mince pies, but they still have all the flavours you know and love. Golden flakey puff pastry wrapped around sweet and juicy mincemeat, these mincemeat pastries are going to be a hit this Christmas and they are ready in just 20 minutes.
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I have to admit, I don't love mince pies. It's not the filling, it's the pastry. I just find it a bit pointless!
But, these mince pie pinwheels are totally different. Light and flakey puff pastry is used and they feel like a real treat. But SO easy to make - they look far more impressive than they are.
We already have our Puff Pastry Mince Pies, but these look much more fun with the swirls and they make really nice homemade Christmas gifts too. These also don't need much mincemeat, so it's a great way to use up leftovers.
Looking for some more easy Christmas baking? Why not try our Healthy Christmas Cookies, Christmas Tree Brownies or Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Puff Pastry - We saved time and used store-bought ready-rolled puff pastry. Honestly, we can't taste the difference from homemade and using ready rolled puff pastry makes this such an easy and quick recipe. By all means, make your own pastry if you have time.
- Mincemeat - Yep, another time saver here! Try to use the best quality you can. Again, you can make homemade mincemeat if you want, but we wanted this to be a really simple festive hack back.
- Cranberries - These add a lovely flavour and extra sweetness.
- Nuts - This is totally optional, but the extra texture that some crushed nuts add is amazing. We used walnuts but pecans work well too.
- Orange - A little orange zest really helps to lighten up the mincemeat, which can feel a little heavy. You could also use lemon zest.
- Egg - This is brushed over the puff pastry to help it go nice and golden and crispy.
- Icing sugar - A dusting of icing sugar on top just adds to the Christmas vibes. You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon too for extra Christmas flavour.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Mincemeat Pinwheels
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Step 1: Roll out the puff pastry sheet and spread over all of the mincemeat, leaving a gap around the edge.
- Step 2: Sprinkle over the dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and orange zest.
- Step 3: Carefully roll the pastry into a log.
- Step 4: Using a sharp knife, slice the log into ten rounds.
- Step 5: Transfer the rounds to a lined baking tray and brush with whisked egg.
- Step 6: Put into the oven for 18 minutes. Once cooked, leave to cool and dust with icing sugar.
Storage
Store: Once fully cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freeze: These mincemeat pastries freeze really well. Once fully cooled, put them on a baking tray and in the freezer - this is called flash freezing. Once they are frozen, you can put them in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months and then just take one out as and when you want one.
Defrost: Defrost at room temperature - they should only take a couple of hours.
Reheat: You can warm these up in the microwave.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Make sure to get your puff pastry out of the fridge 30 minutes before you need to use it. If you unroll it straight from the fridge it will crack.
- Add a splash of brandy or rum for extra flavour. Not too much though, as you don't want it to be soggy.
- Make sure you transfer them to a wire rack to cool, as this will prevent them from getting a soggy bottom.
- If you have extra time, put the rolled up pastry with filling (uncut) in the fridge for 20 minutes. Chilling it will make slicing into circles much easier. Don't worry if you don't have time though.
- You can easily double this recipe, just put on two baking sheets and cook in batches if needed.
- Always line your baking trays with baking paper. Once baked and cooled, mincemeat will stick to your baking tray and it will take forever to scrub off.
- We used a modern mincemeat, which contains vegetable suet. More traditional mincemeat contains beef suet and is therefore not vegetarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze them uncooked and then put them on a baking tray frozen. Just add about 5 minutes extra.
More Christmas Dessert Recipes
If you've tried this puff pastry mincemeat pinwheels recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Mincemeat Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 320 g (11.25 oz) of Puff pastry
- 410 g (1.75 cups) of Mincemeat
- 30 g (0.25 cups) of Dried cranberries
- 40 g (0.33 cups) of Walnuts - chopped
- 1 Orange - zest only
- 1 Egg - medium; whisked
- Icing sugar - optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Roll out 320 g of Puff pastry and spread over 410 g of Mincemeat, leaving a gap around the edge.
- Sprinkle over 30 g of Dried cranberries, 40 g of Walnuts and the zest of 1 Orange.
- Carefully roll the pastry into a log.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the log into ten rounds.
- Transfer the rounds to a lined baking tray and brush with 1 Egg.
- Put into the oven for 18 minutes. Once cooked, leave to cool and dust with Icing sugar.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to get your puff pastry out of the fridge 30 minutes before you need to use it. If you unroll it straight from the fridge it will crack.
- Add a splash of brandy or rum for extra flavour. Not too much though, as you don't want it to be soggy.
- Make sure you transfer them to a wire rack to cool, as this will prevent them from getting a soggy bottom.
- If you have extra time, put the rolled up pastry with filling (uncut) in the fridge for 20 minutes. Chilling it will make slicing into circles much easier. Don't worry if you don't have time though.
- You can easily double this recipe, just put on two baking sheets and cook in batches if needed.
- Always line your baking trays. Once baked and cooled, mincemeat will stick to your baking tray and it will take forever to scrub off.
- We used a modern mincemeat, which contains vegetable suet. More traditional mincemeat contains beef suet and is therefore not vegetarian.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Kathleen says
This is a lovely appetizer is the perfect addition to my Holiday table.
Ashley says
These are so yummy! I'd never had mincemeat before but I really enjoyed this recipe. :)
Beth says
Oh, yum! I love this so much! I am a HUGE fan of mincemeat pies, so this wonderful variation of that is so perfect for me.
Dina and Bruce says
Made up a batch of these for our neighbors party. They were a hit! So tasty!