The first time I made these almond mince pies, I genuinely thought, how hard can they be? Itโs just pastry, mincemeat, and marzipan, right? Ha. My first batch turned out like something from a school fete gone wrongโoverfilled, soggy-bottomed, and the marzipan stars puffed up like tiny golden UFOs.
But I was determined. These were Mary Berryโs almond mince pies, after all, and Iโd promised them for my in-lawsโ Christmas Eve do. (No pressure.) After two more rounds and a couple of tweaksโlike drying the marzipan a bit and finally chilling the pastry properlyโI cracked it. Let me show you how I fixed that.
What Makes This Recipe Special
Most mince pies rely solely on the filling to carry the flavour. But Maryโs version goes that little bit extra with ground almonds in the pastry and marzipan stars on top. And it makes all the difference.
- The ground almonds give the pastry a subtle nuttiness and tenderness that just melts.
- Orange zest stirred into the mincemeat adds a pop of citrus that cuts through the richnessโdonโt skip it.
- And that marzipan? It bakes into a soft, sweet lid with a slight chew that honestly outshines any traditional lid Iโve ever tried.
Most recipes skip these little flourishes. But here, they make it sing.
INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER
- Plain Flour โ Classic base for shortcrust. I tried self-raising onceโdonโt.
- Ground Almonds โ Adds flavour and richness. Without it, the pastryโs noticeably flatter.
- Butter (softened) โ Helps bring the dough together smoothly. Cold butter made the pastry too crumbly.
- Caster Sugar โ Just enough sweetness for the pastry. Donโt go overboardโitโll burn.
- Egg (for pastry) โ Binds it all. I tried water in a pinch once, and it barely held.
- Luxury Mincemeat โ Big upgrade over the basic stuff. I like the kind with brandy and whole cherries.
- Orange Zest โ Adds brightness. Lemon zest works, too, but orange feels more Christmassy.
- Marzipan โ The star on top, literally. I tried one cheap brand that melted into mushโget the good stuff.
- Egg (for brushing) โ Helps it all go golden. Milk works in a pinch, but itโs not as shiny.
- Icing Sugar โ For dusting. Optional but very โhello, festive tray of dreamsโ.
Making It Yours (Without Ruining It)
- No Eggs? I tested a version with 1 tbsp yogurt in the pastryโit worked, just slightly softer.
- Gluten-Free โ A 1:1 GF flour blend worked okay, but the pastry was delicate. Chill longer and handle gently.
- Dairy-Free? Use a plant-based butter thatโs block-style, not soft spread.
- Fruit Swap โ Iโve added chopped dried figs to the mincemeat and loved it. Cranberries? Not so muchโtoo sharp.
MISTAKES IโVE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)
What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
---|---|---|
Marzipan melted weirdly | Used cheap, soft marzipan | Use firm, quality marzipan (I like Renshaw) |
Pastry shrank in the oven | Didnโt chill it after lining the tins | Chill at least 30 mins before baking |
Filling bubbled over | Overfilled the cases | Stick to 1 tsp per pieโyes, really |
Pale tops | Forgot to egg wash | Always brush the marzipan + edges |
HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโS ALMOND MINCE PIES
- Make the Pastry
In a food processor (or by hand), blend flour, ground almonds, sugar, and softened butter until crumbly. Add egg and pulse until dough forms. Tip onto floured surface, bring it together gently, wrap and chill 15 mins.
(First time I skipped the chillโregretted it instantly. Dough was too soft to roll.) - Roll & Cut
Roll the chilled dough thin (about 3mm), cut out 24 rounds with a fluted cutter, and line shallow bun tins. Prick bases with a fork and chill againโat least 30 minutes. - Mix the Filling
Stir the orange zest into your mincemeat. Spoon 1 tsp into each case. - Top with Marzipan
Dust a board with icing sugar, roll the marzipan 2โ3mm thick, cut out stars (or other festive shapes), and pop them on top of the mincemeat. - Bake
Heat oven to 200ยฐC/180ยฐC fan/gas 6. Brush edges + marzipan stars with egg wash. Bake for 15โ18 minutes until golden. - Cool & Dust
Let cool in tins 5 mins, then transfer to rack. Dust with icing sugar while still warm. Brandy cream on the side = heaven.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN
- I roll the marzipan slightly thicker than the pastryโhelps it bake just right.
- My bun tin is old and metalโit gives a better crisp than non-stick or silicone.
- I weigh out 250g of marzipan into two chunks before rollingโitโs easier to manage.
- I freeze the pastry cases in the tin for 10 minutes before bakingโhelps them keep shape.
STORAGE + SERVING
- Fridge: Keep in an airtight tin for up to 3 days. Still tasty on day 3!
- Freezer: Freeze baked pies once fully cool. Wrap tightly. Theyโll keep 3 months.
- To Reheat: Pop in a 160ยฐC oven for 8โ10 mins. They crisp up again beautifully.
- Serve With: Brandy cream, clotted cream, or just a strong cup of tea.
FAQs
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Absolutely. I often bake them, freeze them, then reheat straight from frozen for 12โ15 mins at 160ยฐC.
Q: Can I skip the marzipan?
A: You can, but it loses that lovely almond vibe. Try flaked almonds on top instead for crunch.
Q: Whatโs the best mincemeat to use?
A: Anything labelled โluxuryโ with booze and whole fruit usually wins. I once tried a supermarket basicโit was more sugar than fruit.
Q: My pastryโs too stickyโwhat should I do?
A: Add a tiny sprinkle of flour while rolling and chill it longer next time.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Petit Fours
- Mary Berry Fruity Granola Bars
- Mary Berry Gingerbread Men
- Mary Berry Doughnuts Recipe
Mary Berry Almond Mince Pies
Course: DessertCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy24
servings20
minutes18
minutes477
kcalFestive, fruity, and full of charmโthese almond mince pies have buttery pastry, zesty filling, and golden marzipan stars on top.
Ingredients
- Pastry:
150g plain flour (+ extra for dusting)
30g ground almonds
115g butter, softened
30g caster sugar
1 egg, beaten
- Filling:
1 x 410g jar luxury mincemeat
Zest of 1 orange
- Topping:
250g marzipan
1 egg, beaten
Icing sugar, to dust
Directions
- Combine flour, almonds, butter, and sugar in a food processor. Add egg and mix to form dough.
- Roll dough thin, cut 24 rounds, line bun tins, and chill 30 mins.
- Mix mincemeat with orange zest and spoon 1 tsp into each pastry case.
- Roll marzipan 2โ3mm thick, cut out stars, and place on top.
- Brush edges and stars with egg. Bake at 200ยฐC/180ยฐC fan for 15โ18 mins.
- Cool in tin 5 mins, then on a wire rack. Dust with icing sugar.
Notes
- I roll the marzipan slightly thicker than the pastryโhelps it bake just right.
- My bun tin is old and metalโit gives a better crisp than non-stick or silicone.
- I weigh out 250g of marzipan into two chunks before rollingโitโs easier to manage.
- I freeze the pastry cases in the tin for 10 minutes before bakingโhelps them keep shape.