I think I may finally be getting into the spirit of Christmas. The tree is up, most of the presents are wrapped, Miss GF has finished school and I only have 2 days of work to go before some eagerly awaited time off.
With the Christmas CD’s pulled out of the box for their annual sing-along, I have spent the day cooking and baking in preparation for this year’s binge. My feet are killing me from standing up all day, but I can safely start ticking off the ‘to do’ list……..
Stuffed Cashew Nut Roast….. done! Sponge ready for Tiramisu……. baked! Gluten free Sausage Rolls (made from this recipe, but traditional sausage roll shape)…… cooked and in the freezer! Christmas Cake….. maturing nicely! Mini bite-size quiches (next to post)…… ready to munch!
And of course…. Christmas can’t go by without a mince pie (or three). Last Christmas, I made a totally amazing Mincemeat Frangipane Tart with GF Orange Pastry. It was divine. So good that I was very very tempted to make it again. Last year, my tart seemed to be a lone frangipane in the mincemeat hall of fame….. This year they seem to be popping up everywhere. And rightly so…. they are truly delicious!
But this is my other favourite mince pie recipe….. mincemeat crumble tarts. With all the flavours of Christmas crammed into a crisp gluten free cherry-almond pastry they are decadently topped with a crunchy cinnamon crumble and packed to bursting point with wonderfully aromatic Extra Fruity Mincemeat with Pistachio & Calvados. Laced with a good glug of deep, potent apple brandy these pies will leave you with a seasonal warming glow and a smile on your face.
Add a sprinkling of icing sugar and a white fondant snowflake and they are ready to go.
I have blogged mince crumble tarts before, but as it was in my early days of blogging when very few people had found me, I felt it was time for a re-run…..
I am offering my mince pies with the following links :
Tea Time Treats, with Lavender & Lovage (and the Hedgecombers), December’s theme being Sugar & Spice.
Free From Fridays with Emma at the Free From Farmhouse.
The Food Year Link-Up with Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen.
The Pastry Challenge with Jen’s Food (and United Cakedom).
Gluten Free Fridays with Vegetarian Mamma.
Recipe of the Week with A Mummy Too.
Christmas Mince Pies with Cinnamon Crumble Topping (recipe makes about 20 tarts)
Cherry Almond Pastry
Extra Fruity Mincemeat with Pistachio & Calvados
Cinnamon Crumble Topping
Gluten Free Alchemist © 2013-15 unless otherwise indicated
Love a different type of mince pie – We are still eating them here! Thanks so much for all your contributions to #Bakeoftheweek really appreciate you joining in. All the best for 2016 x
Thanks Helen. You're welcome! We're still eating them here too!! Happy New Year x
WOW! Kate! These are SO pretty and so festive! THANKS for all your lovely entries for Tea Time Treats this month! Happy New Year! Karen xxx
You're welcome Karen and thanks for your very kind comments. I hope you had a fantastic Christmas x
These look sooo good! I love crumble and I love mince pies and I really love cinnamon so I guess I would really, really love these 🙂 Merry Christmas Eb x
Thanks Eb. I certainly love them, so I hope you would too!
Merry Christmas! Have a fab time x
That sounds like a lovely feast! These mince pies look so festive esepcially with the fondant snowflake on top. Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year x
Feast indeed Ros! It must be Christmas!
Wishing you fantastic festivities too. xx
your christmas pies look gorgeous – I am impressed at all the christmas baking you have done – you sound very organised for Christmas – I have pastry in the fridge but I think it might take me until tomorrow to bake a second batch of mince pies (which has been on my to do list for over a week)
Thanks Johanna. I have astounded myself that I got so much done. I didn't feel that organised, but seem to have achieved a lot!
Have a fantastic Christmas and thanks for your continued support of the blog over the last year x
How beautiful your mince pies, so festive and perfumed with cinnamon. I have everything ready for Christmas too except for the food shopping which as always comes last.
All the best and happy holidays!
Thanks Alida. I braved the food shop this morning! You'd think the shops were going to be shut for a month the amount people had in their trollies! Oh well…
Happy Christmas and enjoy some well-earned family time x
What a great idea, I've not seen a mince pie with a crumble topping before and I'd imagine it works really well. I love the sound of your frangipane pies from last year too, I always add almond to my pastry as it works so well with the mincemeat so I'd imagine frangipane goes perfectly.
I hope you have a lovely Christmas (it certainly sounds like it's going to be a delicious one!) xx
Thanks Charlotte. I stick crumble on all sorts of things…. It is, however, particularly good on mincemeat! The frangipane was pretty amazing though!
I hope you have a great Christmas too…. Happy eating!! xx
Oh wow! You are so organised! Nothing done here…may need to crack on tonight when kids in bed! These mince pies look divine! Lovely flavour combos! Happy Christmas to you and all your family! Look forward to reading more wonderful posts in the new year xx
Isn't that funny Vicki….. I thought I was way behind! I think it is because I am trying to fit it all in around work, so feel like I am going at 110 mph to try and get stuff done!
The mince pies are pretty good….. Historically I wasn't a big fan of mince pies, but now I make my own perfectly-tailored mincemeat, they have gone way up in my estimation. Maybe it's all the booze I put in!
You have a great Christmas too xx
They look lovely. My GF mince pies are in the freezer, just got to do sausage rolls and attempt a small GF pork pie. Made your oat bread but didn't have the Expandex stuff so dame out a little wet. Then went to make your oat and rice version, very, very good so thank you. Have a lovely Christmas.
Thanks DC.
Sorry the first loaf didn't work out as it should. The 'Expandex' equivalent in the UK is Isabel's Baking Fix which you can get on line.
Having said that, The Oat and Rice bread is one of my favourites, so I am pleased you like it too. If you haven't tried the mix as little rolls, give it a go….. The are perfect for packed lunches and picnics as well as making great dinner rolls!
You have a fantastic Christmas too x