If you’re anything like me, the holidays just aren’t complete without a little something sweet and comforting. That’s why I’m so excited to share this Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe—it’s the perfect twist on a classic treat that brings together buttery pastry, a rich fruit filling, and that incredible almond cream topping. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll be your new festive fave, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure you nail them just right!

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture Balance: The all-butter pastry provides a tender, flaky base that complements the soft mincemeat and creamy frangipane topping beautifully.
Flavor Fusion: The orange zest-infused sugar in the frangipane adds a fresh, zesty brightness that lifts the rich fruit filling.
Easy to Assemble: Using a cupcake pan helps keep the pies neat and uniform, making them look super impressive even if you’re a beginner.
Versatile for Holidays: These pies freeze and reheat wonderfully, so you can prep ahead and enjoy them all season long.

Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping, mince pies recipe, holiday mince pies, easy mince pie recipe, festive dessert ideas - Eleven round sandwich cookies are shown on crumpled parchment paper atop a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two golden brown almond-studded cake layers with a pale cream filling in the middle. The top cake layers are dusted with powdered sugar, which is also scattered around on the parchment and surface. A dark metal sieve filled with powdered sugar sits on the left side among the cookies, adding texture and detail. The overall look is rustic with warm tones and soft lighting. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how the ingredients in this Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe come together to create layers of flavor. From the flaky buttery pastry to the beloved Christmas mincemeat, and a luscious almond cream topping, every bite feels like a warm hug. Here’s a quick rundown on why each ingredient is important and a few tips for picking the best ones.

Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping, mince pies recipe, holiday mince pies, easy mince pie recipe, festive dessert ideas - Flat lay of a small mound of plain white flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a few large cubes of cold unsalted butter arranged neatly on another white ceramic dish, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden mincemeat fruit filling, a fresh whole orange with a small strip of bright orange zest curling beside it on the surface, a small white ceramic bowl holding granulated white sugar, two clean whole brown eggs with uncracked shells placed side by side on the white marble, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale beige ground almonds, a smaller white ceramic bowl containing plain white flour, a tiny heap of delicate pale beige flaked almonds on the marble surface, and a small white ceramic bowl with fine white powdered icing sugar arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Plain flour (all-purpose): The base of the pastry and frangipane; use good quality for the best texture.
Unsalted butter: Essential for rich, flaky pastry and creamy almond topping—make sure it’s cold for the dough and softened for the frangipane.
Ice cold water: Helps bring the pastry together without melting the butter, keeping it flaky.
Mincemeat (fruit filling): The star of the show! You can buy a traditional jar or make your own for a personal touch.
Orange zest: Adds a fresher, citrus twist that brightens the rich flavors.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the frangipane; mixing it with orange zest infuses lovely flavor.
Large eggs: Bind everything in the frangipane and help it set beautifully.
Ground almonds (almond meal): Key to that nutty, creamy frangipane texture.
Flaked almonds: Provide a gorgeous crunch and visual appeal on top.
Powdered icing sugar: For a festive dusting just before serving.
Fine salt: Enhances all the other flavors—don’t skip it!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best things about this Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve tried a few tweaks—some worked wonders, others taught me new lessons. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect version!

Variation: I like adding a pinch of cinnamon or mixed spice to the frangipane mix for extra warmth; it gives that holiday feel without overpowering the mincemeat.
Dietary swap: If you want a gluten-free alternative, swapping plain flour for a gluten-free blend can work well—just handle the dough more gently.
Fruit filling boost: Try mixing fresh diced apples or a splash of brandy into your mincemeat to jazz things up the traditional way.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe

Step 1: Make the Pastry

Start by rubbing the cold butter into the flour and salt until you get pea-sized bits—that’s the secret to flaky layers. When you add the cold water, add it little by little; you want the dough just holding together when pressed but not sticky. Form it into a disc, cover in plastic wrap, and pop it into the fridge for at least an hour—you’ll thank me when it rolls out perfectly and doesn’t crack.

Step 2: Prepare the Pastry Cases & Fill

Take the dough out and let it rest at room temp for 10-15 minutes before rolling—too cold, and it’ll crack on you. Roll it out to about ¼ inch thick and cut out rounds that fit snugly into a lightly floured cupcake tray. Press gently to shape the dough against the tins. Next, spoon in about two tablespoons of that glorious mincemeat into each case—don’t overfill, or the frangipane won’t sit right on top.

Step 3: Whip Up the Frangipane Topping

Here’s where the magic happens! Start by rubbing the orange zest into the sugar—this simple step makes the sugar aromatic and flavorful. Cream the butter and zesty sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, beaten lightly, and don’t worry if it looks a bit curdled—that’s totally normal. Beat in the ground almonds, flour, and salt until you get a thick, creamy batter.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pipe or spoon a heaping tablespoon of frangipane over each mincemeat filling—get creative, but don’t overdo it or the pies will overflow. Sprinkle flaked almonds on top for that perfect crunch and festive look. Cover the tray loosely with foil (this protects the tops) and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden and gorgeous. Let cool for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack.

Before serving, dust with powdered icing sugar for a snowy finish—so pretty and addictive.

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Pro Tips for Making Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe

Cold Butter is Key: Keeping butter ice-cold until mixing helps you get that flaky texture instead of tough pastry.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Handle it just enough to bring it together—overworking makes the pastry dense, not flaky.
Orange Zest Infusion: Rubbing zest into sugar releases those oils and creates a fantastic flavor boost that’s worth the effort.
Foil Tent While Baking: Covering the pies for the first half of baking prevents the frangipane from burning before the pastry is cooked through.

How to Serve Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe

Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping, mince pies recipe, holiday mince pies, easy mince pie recipe, festive dessert ideas - The image shows a white plate with a gold rim holding eight round golden-brown almond cakes, each cake topped with thin pale almond slices and a light dusting of powdered sugar. One cake is broken in half on top, revealing a soft, moist inside with a dark filling. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface decorated with dark green pine and holly leaves. To the left of the plate, there is a spoon with a dark fruit jam sitting on the edge of the plate. A vintage metal baking tray with empty round molds is partially visible underneath and next to the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love dusting these pies with powdered icing sugar—it adds that lovely snowy, festive look. Sometimes, for a little extra sparkle, I sprinkle edible glitter or a few slivered almonds on top before baking. When serving, a dollop of softly whipped cream or a drizzle of warm custard elevates these mince pies into a dreamy holiday dessert.

Side Dishes

These pies pair wonderfully with hot mulled wine or spiced cider—perfect for cozy holiday gatherings. For a brunch or tea party twist, try them alongside a sharp, creamy cheese plate, like Stilton or Brie; the balance of sweet and savory is incredible.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like arranging the mince pies on a tiered dessert stand with some holly and cinnamon sticks around for that festive vibe. Miniature versions baked in mini muffin tins also make adorable bite-sized treats. Wrapping each pie individually in little parchment bags with ribbon is a lovely touch if you want to gift them to friends or neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover mince pies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay fresh for up to a week this way. The pastry keeps its delightful texture, and the frangipane topping remains beautifully moist.

Freezing

If I want to get ahead of the holiday rush, freezing these pies is a lifesaver. Once fully cooled, I pop them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers to avoid sticking. They freeze well for up to three months. When it’s pie time, thaw them overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To re-crisp the pastry and warm up the almond topping, I bake thawed pies in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 10 minutes. This little step revives their fresh-baked magic—no soggy bottoms here!

FAQs

Can I use ready-made pastry instead of making my own?

Absolutely! Ready-made all-butter shortcrust pastry can save time and still deliver great results. Just make sure it’s properly chilled before rolling out to avoid cracking. However, making your own is worth the extra effort for that fresh, buttery flavor and flaky texture.
What if my frangipane mixture looks curdled after adding eggs?

Don’t panic—this is totally normal! The curdling usually happens because of the eggs. Once you beat in the ground almonds and flour, the mixture will come back together to a smooth, creamy texture.
Can I make these mince pies dairy-free?

You can substitute butter with a vegan butter or margarine alternative to make the pastry and frangipane dairy-free. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavors will still shine through nicely.
How do I prevent the pastry from shrinking during baking?

Make sure the pastry is well-chilled before baking and avoid stretching it too much when lining the pan. Also, baking with the foil tent on initially helps set the shape gently before browning.

Final Thoughts

Making these Festive Mince Pies with Frangipane Topping Recipe is one of my favorite holiday rituals—it fills the kitchen with the most amazing aromas and gives me that cozy, homey feeling. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself (hey, you deserve it!), these pies bring a little extra magic to the season. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and I can’t wait to hear how your batch turns out!