Mince Tarts (Fruit)

Prep Time: 1 hr 30 minutes (Including time to fully make the pastry)

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Yields: Makes 1 1/4 cup fruit mince (12 small tarts)

Description
Mince Tarts are a delicious treat for the whole family. My mum used to always make them for Christmas every year. They have always been a favourite of mine. You can use the fruit mince straight away but the flavours develop if you keep it for a while.

Ingredients
Pastry-Shortcut or Butterscotch 1/3 cup chopped raisins 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup sultanas 1/4 cup mixed peel 1 tbspn chopped almonds 1 small apple, grated 1 tspn lemon juice 1 tspn finely grated orange and lemon rind 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice nutmeg 25g melted butter 1 tspn brandy essence Eggwhite for brushing shapes on top of tart (optional)

Directions
To make the fruit mince: Combine all ingredients apart from the eggwhite and pastry into a bowl and spoon into a sterylized jar if keeping it To make the tarts: 1. Roll out the pastry and cut out the bases for the tarts 2. Spoon the fruit mince into the base of the tarts 3. if you want to, cut out a small shape to put on top of the fruit mince (I usually use a star of a leaf shape) 4. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until golden 5. Leave in the tins for five minutes and then carefully lift each one out with a knife and allow to cool on a/some wire rack/s