{Vegan, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free}
Delicate, infused by fresh lemon juice Mini Mince Pie base, filled with the unique mixture of sweet crunchy figs, slightly sour cranberries, refreshing orange juice and festive spices, will take you back to the last Christmas spent with the loved ones in front of the crackling fireplace…
These little refined sugar-free raw Mince Pies are dairy-free and 100% Vegan. No nasties in these bites, no trans-fats, no palm oil, no dairy either.
Would you believe that when I first moved into England a few years ago I thought that Mince Pies are made with real mincemeat? Hahahaha… It wouldn’t really surprise me if it was true, as Pigs in Blankets, Pork Pies and other Puff Pastry savoury bites are very popular in this country. For years I was avoiding Mince Pies like the plague until somebody finally told me that they are filled with the mixture of dried fruits and aromatic dried spices. I still wasn’t much convinced but after investigating ingredients I have decided to challenge myself with recreating these beauties in a healthiest possible, sugar-free version.
Now I know that it was the best decision I have ever made and I can happily share the recipe with you. When buying dried fruit I always scan with my eyes quickly labels… Why? Because recently so many dried fruits are sweetened by refined sugar or treated with potassium sorbate. To keep these festive bites sugar-free I have sprinkled them with powdered erythritol (0 calories sweetener). I tend to buy the crystal version and use the blender to make as much powder as I need. The sweetness of erythritol is around 70% so you may need to sprinkle quite generously your Pies. Good news?! You can get crazy with sprinkling, as the amount of calories stays the same!
This bite will be a highlight of every Christmas party. It will satisfy your sweet craving and because it is packed with great, healthy ingredients it will make you feel amazing rather than guilty! Is there anything better on a cold day than wrapping yourself in a fluffy blanket with a cup of warming tea accompanied by the healthy fruity Mini Pie? Enough of talking… Let’s make it!
Vegan Raw Mince Pies
Ingredients
Method
- In a powerful blender/food processor crush finely cashews (60-90 seconds should allow you to get a nice texture).
- Add the rest of the base ingredients and mix until nice dough creates. Put aside.
- Without washing your blender, put all the 'filling' ingredients into the food processor bowl and blend until nice and gooey mixture creates. Adjust the amount of spices to your own preferences.
- Prepare 8 or 9 little cupcake/muffin/tarts forms. If you are not using silicon forms, use the kitchen cling film to layer each form. It will allow you to remove pies easier.
- Use around 1/5th of the cake dough for raw star cookies that you stick on top of each Mini Raw Pie. To do it, on a baking paper flatten the dough using a rolling pin and the second piece of baking paper. Using star-shaped cookie cutter cut 9 little stars. Put aside.
- Use the rest of dough to fill in the cupcake/muffin forms. Spoon in the mixture into each of the form and top with a little star.
- Put in the freezer to set for 10 minutes, after taking out, remove from the cling film and sprinkle with powdered erythritol. You can skip freezing and enjoy raw pies straight away or alternatively keep them in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Enjoy with a cup of warming coffee or tea!
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