Apple Crumble Mince Pies

Method

1. For the pastry, combine flour, sugar and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Rub in the margarine (add 1-2 tsp of water if the pastry doesn’t hold). Knead briefly then roll into a ball and wrap in baking paper and refrigerate while you carry out the next steps.
2. Peel apples, remove cores and dice into 1cm chunks. Add to a small saucepan along with sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and 4 tbsp of water. Simmer on low for 10 mins, stirring occasionally until apples are soft.
3. For the crumble, add flour, sugar and margarine to a mixing bowl. Rub the margarine between your fingers into the dry ingredients until you reach a crumble like consistency.
4. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan / 400°F and grease a 12-hole muffin or mince pie tray with vegan margarine.
5. Next flour a worktop and rolling pin and roll out pastry to 3mm thick. Use a 7cm / 2.8” round cutter to cut out 12 circles of pastry. Re-roll the pastry as you go.
6. Line base and sides of each muffin hole with a circle of pastry. Add a teaspoon or so of apple mixture into each hole followed by a heaped tsp of vegan mincemeat. Finish with a sprinkling of crumble. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes until golden. It's important to the mince pies from the tray while they're still hot. These are best when eaten warm!
7. Enjoy all year – not just at Christmas.