Mince Pie Pinwheels - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the tradition of eating the 12 mince pies? ›

Symbolism and Tradition

Mince pies have long been associated with Christmas and are an integral part of holiday celebrations in many countries. In England, it is believed that eating mince pies on each of the twelve days of Christmas brings good luck for the coming year.

Creme fraiche Supremely light and kissed with a lactic tang, creme fraiche is the hot mince pie's most elegant cooling counterpoint. Single or double cream Either will grease the wheels, so to speak. Custard There is something magical about the contrast between hot mince pie and cold cream on the same plate.

Mince pies were originally made to celebrate Jesus. They were oblong in shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby and have a 'pastry baby Jesus' carved into the pastry. Traditionally one mince pie is eaten for the Twelve days of Christmas.

Traditions, folklore and superstitions

Stirring the mincemeat was quite an event, and English tradition dictates that it should only be stirred clockwise. Stirring the mincemeat anti-clockwise would lead to bad luck and poor fortune in the coming 12 months.

They were stuffed with meats like mutton, rabbit, and pork which is why the filling is known as "mincemeat." Even as far back as 1390 a recipe in "A Forme of Cury" featured a pie filled with a mixture of ground pork, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, saffron, and sugar.

It's a rare American I've bumped into who likes Christmas cake or Christmas pudding. Even rarer is one who likes mince pies. But in England, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without mince pies.

A mince pie (also mincemeat pie in North America, and fruit mince pie in Australia and New Zealand) is a sweet pie of English origin filled with mincemeat, being a mixture of fruit, spices and suet. The pies are traditionally served during the Christmas season in much of the English-speaking world.

All About Mincemeat: The Fabulous Filling for Mince Pies

If you are wondering what the difference is between a mince pie and a mincemeat pie, wonder no more—they are the same thing.

Some speculation has it that mince pies were illegal to eat on the day of Christmas. However, the only Christmas Day where eating mince pies was illegal was 1644 due to December falling on a day of fasting. Eat all of the mince pies to your heart's desires!

Who eats the most mince pies? ›

People in the South West eat the most mince pies in the UK, according to research by bakery chain Konditor. Having surveyed 2,000 people, the London-based company found that, on average, each person in the South West eats 24 mince pies across the festive period.

By the 18th century it was more likely to be tongue or even tripe, and in the 19th century it was minced beef. It was not until the late Victorian period and early 20th Century that mince pies dropped the meat and had all fruit fillings (albeit with suet). Even today there are traditions associated with mince pies.

A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom. (Using metal is crucial: Glass or ceramic pans don't transfer heat as efficiently, so they can be accomplices to a sad, soggy bottom.)

Heat a pile of mincemeat in a pan with sugar, orange and lemon juice, orange peel, half a cinnamon stick and brandy, wait for it to thicken and then stir in some whipping cream.

Why You Should Eat 12 Grapes at Midnight on New Year's Eve. Originating in Spain, the tradition of eating grapes at the stroke of midnight is believed to welcome good fortune and prosperity in the new year.

Since there are 12 months in the year, having 12 dishes on the table meant that the coming year would be abundant and not in want of food. “We also want all the months to be free of natural disasters, free of troubles, and to be good to people.”

If you eat a mince pie each day over the twelve days of Christmas it brings good luck for the year ahead. According to tradition, you must also make a wish when eating your first mince pie of the season.

Eating mince pie every day of the twelve days of Christmas was said to bring twelve months of happiness in the new year. To strengthen the charm, the pies must be baked by the dozen and offered by friends.