Mini Fruit Mince Pies for One (or to Share)

Because Christmas baking shouldn’t require an army — or a full-size pudding basin.

🎄 A Little Holiday Story from My Kitchen

Every December, I tell myself this year will be different.
This year, I won’t stay up until midnight making pastry.
This year, I’ll just buy the supermarket fruit mince pies and call it a day.

And yet… every single year, the smell of butter and spice wins. Because honestly, homemade fruit mince pies are Christmas in edible form — flaky pastry, gooey fruit, and that smug feeling of “I made these myself.”

For solo cooks or anyone hosting a low-key Christmas, these Mini Fruit Mince Pies for One (or to Share) are the perfect compromise. You get the joy of baking and the taste of Christmas, but scaled down to a batch of 12 mini pies instead of 36 full-sized ones. Perfect for sharing with friends, gifting to neighbours, or eating one each day until New Year’s (I’m not judging).

🍊 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Scalable: Makes 12 mini pies — not an industrial batch.
Shortcut-friendly: Use pre-made shortcrust pastry and jarred fruit mince (with optional “make it fancy” upgrades).
Freezer-friendly: Bake now, freeze for later.
Giftable: Wrap a few in cello bags with ribbon — instant homemade gift.
Festive payoff: That buttery, spiced, Christmassy aroma that instantly puts you in a good mood.

🧈 Ingredients (Makes 12 mini pies)

For the pastry:

1 ¼ cups (190 g) plain flour
2 tbsp icing sugar
100 g cold unsalted butter, cubed
1 egg yolk
2–3 tbsp cold water

(Or cheat and use 2 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry, thawed — I won’t tell.)

For the filling:

¾ cup good-quality fruit mince (store-bought is fine)
Optional upgrades:
- 1 tbsp brandy or orange juice
- Finely grated zest of ½ orange
- A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg

To finish:

1 egg, lightly beaten (for brushing)
Icing sugar, for dusting

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make (or fake) the pastry
If making from scratch, combine flour and icing sugar in a large bowl. Rub in butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and just enough cold water to form a soft dough. Shape into a disc, wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

If using store-bought pastry — pour yourself a cup of tea and skip straight to Step 2.

Step 2: Preheat and prepare
Preheat oven to 180°C (fan-forced). Lightly grease a 12-hole mini muffin tin.

Step 3: Roll and cut
Roll pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 3 mm thick. Cut 12 rounds (about 7 cm diameter) for the bases and press gently into the muffin holes.

Cut smaller stars or circles for the tops. (A cookie cutter makes this easy — or just wing it with a knife and festive confidence.)

Step 4: Fill ‘em up
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of fruit mince into each pastry base — don’t overfill, or they’ll bubble over.

Top with the pastry lids, pressing edges gently to seal. Brush with beaten egg for that golden finish.

Step 5: Bake and bask in the aroma
Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool slightly in the tin before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 6: The snow effect
Once cooled, dust generously with icing sugar — because nothing says “festive” like fake snow in your kitchen.

🎁 Gifting & Sharing Tips

These little pies are made for sharing — even if you live solo. Try these ideas:

Homemade gifts: Pack 4–6 pies in a small box lined with parchment, tie with ribbon, and add a tag that says “Made with butter and festive cheer.”
Workplace treats: Bring a plate to the office morning tea — they’ll disappear in minutes.
Hostess gift: Pair with a jar of custard or a bottle of mulled wine syrup for bonus points.
Secret stash: Keep a few in the freezer for surprise guests (or your future self).

❄️ Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Cool completely, then freeze in layers (with baking paper between). Reheat from frozen at 160°C for 10–12 minutes.
Reheat tip: They’re delicious slightly warm with vanilla ice cream or thick custard.

💡 Handy Swaps & Add-Ons

Swap fruit mince for cherry jam or apple-cinnamon compote for a less boozy, kid-friendly version.
Add chopped almonds or pecans for crunch.
Brush the tops with a little maple syrup instead of egg for a glossy, sweet finish.

❤️ Plan4One Takeaway

Christmas baking doesn’t have to be about mass production. It can be about creating something small, special, and joyfully yours — and maybe sharing a few along the way.

So, whether you’re baking for one or gifting to many, these little fruit mince pies deliver the whole festive vibe in a single buttery bite.

📣 Your Turn!

If you make these, I’d love to see them!
📸 Snap a photo and tag @Plan4One on Instagram or share your version in the comments.
And stay tuned for the next recipe in this Christmas Baking Series — Spiced Gingerbread Biscuit Wreaths (coming soon!).