Mince Pies - James Martin Chef

Ingredients

• 4 medium Bramley apples
• Zest and juice of 3 lemons
• 500g raisins
• 500g currants
• 500g suet
• 1kg soft brown sugar
• 100g candied orange peel, finely chopped
• 50g almonds, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 125ml brandy
• 100ml Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
• 1 batch of sweet pastry (see recipe below)
• Jam tart tray
• Flaked almonds to decorate (optional)
• Jar of luxury mincemeat or homemade (see recipe)
• 200g ground almonds
• 200g caster sugar
• 200g unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 50g flour
• 2 tbsp rum or brandy
• 350g plain flour
• 125g caster sugar
• 125g butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 eggs
• Big pinch of salt