Mincemeat Pinwheels: Easy Mince Pie Recipe with Puff Pastry (15 Minutes!)

Mince pies hold a special place in all of our hearts at Christmas time, but these mincemeat pinwheels offer a delightful modern twist on the traditional treat. This easy mince pie recipe with puff pastry takes just minutes to prepare and creates beautiful spiral mince pie pinwheels that are perfect for festive baking with children. These mincemeat pinwheels combine all the classic Christmas flavours in a format that’s much easier than traditional mince pies!

A Sweet Christmas Tradition

Mince pies, a staple of British Christmas traditions, are small and sweet pies typically filled with a mix of dried fruits and spices called ‘mincemeat’. Despite the name, modern mincemeat doesn’t contain any meat, a change from the original recipe dating back to the 15th century where it was used to preserve meat with fruits and spices. Thankfully we’re not in the middle ages anyomre, as mince meat in my mince pie does not sound appealing to me!

What Are Mincemeat Pinwheels?

Mincemeat pinwheels are a modern twist on traditional mince pies, made by rolling mincemeat in puff pastry and slicing into beautiful spiral shapes. Unlike fiddly mince pies that require pastry cases, these mince pie pinwheels use just two main ingredients and take minutes to prepare.

Combining the delightful flavours of a mince pie with the flaky and buttery texture of puff pastry, these pinwheels are a perfect treat to relish or to serve your guests during the festive season.  I’m not a fan of shortcrust pastry, but I love these, made with a roll of puff pastry, mincemeat, sugar and egg.

Why Use Puff Pastry for Mince Pie Recipes?

Traditional mince pies use shortcrust pastry, but puff pastry creates a completely different texture – light, flaky, and buttery. Puff pastry mince pie recipes are also much easier since there’s no need to line tins or create pastry lids. The ready-rolled puff pastry makes this one of the simplest mince pie recipes you’ll find.

Mince Pie Pinwheels vs Traditional Mince Pies

These mince pie pinwheels offer all the festive flavours of traditional mince pies but with several advantages:

• Easier to make – No pastry cases or lids required
• Kids can help – Simple rolling and cutting
• Consistent results – Every pinwheel looks perfect
• Faster baking – 12-15 minutes vs 20-25 for traditional pies”

Ingredients

To create your batch of delicious mince pie pinwheels, you’ll need just a few key ingredients:

• Ready-rolled puff pastry sheet
• Mincemeat (store-bought or homemade)
• An egg (for the egg wash)
• Optional: Icing sugar for dusting or Demerara Sugar

Choosing Your Mince Pie Filling

Whether you opt for a jar of shop-bought mincemeat or choose to create homemade mincemeat, both options work great for this recipe. If you’re opting for the store-bought version, do opt for a premium quality one for a better taste. I’d love to say I made my own mincemeat, but ours came from Tesco. 

You could even make your own puff pastry, but this particular recipe is all about the easy life! So grab your ingredients, make sure you have a clean work surface and get baking! 

Preparation Steps

Creating these delicious mince pie pinwheels is a breeze and even a fun activity to get the little ones involved. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (200° for fan-assisted ovens) Gas Mark 7
2. Unroll your puff pastry sheet, leaving it on the baking paper.
3. Spread the mincemeat evenly over the puff pastry, leaving about a cm free around the edges.
4. Roll the pastry into a Swiss roll, starting from the long side nearest to you.
5. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into slices about 1.5cm thick.
6. Place the slices on a baking sheet, and brush the edges with a beaten egg 
7. Sprinkle with Demerara Sugar (optional)
8. Bake on a lined baking sheet for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
9. Cool on a wire rack
10. Optional: Dust with a little icing sugar for an added festive touch.

Vegan Mince Pie Pinwheels

For mince pies that don’t use animal products, just swap the sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry for a vegan option and brush with vegan milk rather than egg. 

Tips for Perfect Mince Pie Pinwheels

• Use the pastry straight from the fridge; it’s much easier to handle when cold.
• For an added touch, sprinkle some orange zest or dried cranberries before rolling the pastry.
• Brushing the pinwheels with soy milk or any plant-based milk can serve as a vegan alternative to the traditional egg wash.

Different Ways to Make Mincemeat Pinwheels

There are several variations of this mincemeat pinwheels recipe:

• Classic Mince Pie Pinwheels: Using traditional mincemeat and puff pastry (this recipe)
• Orange Mincemeat Pinwheels: Add fresh orange zest to the mincemeat before rolling
• Luxury Mincemeat Pinwheels: Use premium mincemeat with added brandy or cognac
• Mini Mince Pie Pinwheels: Cut thinner slices for bite-sized treats

All these mince pie recipes with puff pastry follow the same simple method – just roll, slice, and bake!

Enjoying Your Mince Pie Pinwheels

Your mince pie pinwheels are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven and can be served as a teatime treat or dessert. For an extra indulgence, serve your pinwheels warm with a scoop of your favourite ice cream or a dollop of brandy butter.

Storing and Freezing

These pinwheels can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. The pastry may become slightly less crisp over time but will still be delicious. You can also freeze the pinwheels prior to baking and bake them from frozen, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.

Troubleshooting Your Mince Pie Pinwheels

Common issues when making mincemeat pinwheels:

Pinwheels unrolling during baking: Make sure to seal the edge with egg wash and don’t overfill with mincemeat.

Soggy bottom pastry: Bake on the middle shelf and ensure your oven is fully preheated.

Mincemeat leaking out: Leave that 1cm border and don’t roll too tightly.

Uneven browning: Brush all exposed pastry with egg wash for even golden colour.”

A Fun and Festive Family Activity

As a mother of a three-year-old, I find this mince pie pinwheel recipe perfect for getting my little one involved in the kitchen. From spreading the mincemeat to sprinkling the sugar on top, it’s a fun and engaging activity that also helps to instil the joy of baking and the festive spirit in the younger ones.

Mince Pie Swirls

Puff pastry mincemeat swirls are a great reminder of how a simple twist can breathe new life into a traditional recipe. So this Christmas, why not swap your usual mince pies for these delightful mince pie pinwheels and add a dash of modernity to your festive spread, they’re also a great Christmas recipe for babies who are weaning, as they can easily manage these pinwheels! Happy baking!

Please leave a star rating below if you enjoy this recipe and don’t forget to share your creations with me on social media. I’d love to see your mince pie pinwheels and hear about your baking experiences. Happy Christmas!

Enjoy these delightful easy mince pies and download the free printable recipe card!

FAQ’s

Can you make mincemeat pinwheels ahead of time?

“Yes! Mince pie pinwheels can be assembled, sliced, and frozen on baking trays. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.”

What’s the difference between mince pie pinwheels and traditional mince pies?

Mincemeat pinwheels use puff pastry instead of shortcrust and are rolled rather than moulded in tins. This makes them easier to prepare and creates a different texture.”

Can you use homemade mincemeat for pinwheels?

Absolutely! Both homemade and store-bought mincemeat work perfectly in this mince pie recipe with puff pastry.”

How long do mincemeat pinwheels keep?

Mince pie pinwheels stay fresh in an airtight container for 3 days, though they’re best eaten within 24 hours for optimal pastry texture.”

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