Browsing the Hotel Chocolate website last month I was quite taken by their recipes page and the idea of using chocolate in savoury dishes. Using Cocoa pasta and Aztec chilli liquid chocolate are experiments for another day – on a snowy December day Christmas Chocolate Mince Pies is the only recipe worthy of consideration! I’ve made these twice in the last week and our various tasters have described them as ‘gorgeous‘, ‘sheer indulgence‘ and ‘absolutely scrummers‘. I made deep filled mince pies with chopped apple in the bottom half topped with my friend Kate’s amazing home made mince meat. And as I sometimes find mince pies a bit pastry heavy I topped with stars instead of full lids.
what you need to make chocolate mince pies
- 280g (9.5 oz) plain flour
- 200g (7 oz) cold butter
- 50g (2 oz) Hotel Chocolat cocoa powder
- 120g (4oz) icing sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- Pinch of salt (not needed if using salted butter)
- water
- mince pie filling
- Mix the flour, icing sugar and cocoa powder together
- Cut the butter into pieces and add to the flour mix. Gently work through fingertips to form a fine crumb
- Add the yolks and knead the dough until smooth (I found it necessary to add water to the mix)
- Form into a ball, wrap in cling film, and refrigerate for at least and hour
- Grease tins with a little melted butter
- Roll out the pastry evenly and using a 10 cm pastry cutter cut to size and place in the tins. Press the pastry against the sides of the tin.
- Fill each case with 2 tsp mincemeat and brush the edges with a little milk (I added chopped apple to fill my deep pastry cases)
- Using a smaller 7cm cutter make lids to put on top of the mincemeat, sealing the edges of the bases. Brush milk over the pies and sprinkle with a little sugar
- Place the mince pies in a pre heated oven of 200°c / gas mark 6 for 20 minutes
- Delicious served hot or cold so eat straight from the oven with cream or ice-cream or allow to cool.
Disclosure: I was sent the cocoa powder by Hotel Chocolat to review. I was not required to write a positive review and any opinions expressed are my own.
I agree on a snowy December day these ‘Chocolate Mince Pies’ are worthy of consideration and I am so pleased you made them, as I am now drooling over them.!
They look the best!! I’ll have to have a go at chocolate mince pies.
Have a fantastic Christmas!!
Dan
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I shall not let Management see this recipe, as he knows full-well I am unlikely to bake such a delicacy he would be off in the car to yours in the hope of some crumbs!
Huge Bag End hugs and love to you both for a very Happy Christmas and wonderful 2011
MC – have a lovely christmas. I’ve no doubt you’ll be making all manner of delicious goodies
Dan – they’re very simple but rather naughty. Feeling a little christmas treat-ed out already!
Bilbo – we’re taking the rest to my mum’s this afternoon. G is already experiencing Christmas tummy having had to finish badminton training early because of the snow. He just loves chocolatey stuff too much!
Wishing you a terrific 2011 too – we’ll look forward to hearing all about your new arrival in January :o)
They look perfect. Indulgent, delicious and very very Christmassy! Have a lovely break – look forward to reading more of your alottment adventures next year ! Joanna
You are definitely getting the chocolate bug Nic. Hope you have a great Chrismas.
Nic, bring a few tasters with you on the 8th Jan, if there are any left!
Hope Santa is kind to you both, love papag xx
Cocoa in the crust is such an interesting idea! I love your star tops too. Merry Christmas! So glad we have connected in the blogosphere.
wonderful pies – they look so pretty with the stars – wishing you and your family much festive warmth and joy
Joanna – thanks for all your lovely comments over the last few months. I enjoy reading your posts even though I rarely comment (I’m no baker and have to limit the amount of bread I eat)
Choc – the things we do for the love of a good man :o)
PapaG – I’m sure I can make some more for our belated Christmas
Stephanie – thanks, me too
Johanna – your wish for us came true :o)