Fruit Mince Muffins are totally easy and completely remind me of Christmas.
I asked one of my Italian work colleagues this week what kind of things she and her friends eat at Christmas here in Australia. She has been here for 8 years now and is an Australian citizen. We were standing in front of this basket full of fruit mince muffins, obviously, a take on the fruit mince tarts many of us here in Australia, grew up on. Do you ever eat fruit mince tarts I asked her?
They are pretty popular here even though they were first made in Britain after the crusaders returned from the Middle East. The idea to combine mince meat, suet, spices, and fruit became very popular around Christmas time and they were originally more savoury than sweet. Things changed a little over time and the minced meat was replaced with an entirely sweet mixture of fruits and spices. So they are a much loved tradition for us here in Australia, transplanted from the old country where we were all once predominately from.
I tried to explain what I meant by a small tart with mince fruit inside and it took several animated minutes before she finally said ….”oh you mean those little pies with the stars on top. Oh yes, I know those. No, we don’t eat them. “
Mm well, I do. AND I love them. I have decided though that there may be an easier way to make them, say, for Christmas morning or a get together before Christmas.
Although it pains me to say so, sometimes there isn’t enough time to make the pastry. If you are like me and you love fruit mince tarts but have run out of time, here is the recipe for you. Fruit Mince Muffins, they’ll fill the spot.
There have been many years that I have made dozens of tarts for people, but it seems that the days are getting shorter because I just can’t fit making them in this year. Well, so far anyway.
These are not quite like a rich buttery tart, but they are a great substitute considering they take about 20 minutes total to make. You might find they have a taste that is more appealing to kids as well. They are really best eaten the day they are made but this basket is still being consumed 3 days later and the eater is very happy with them. The crunchy sugar crust is not to be skipped it makes these all the more worthwhile and they have very little sweetness without this little sensory treat. They can be warmed and eaten with custard.
Make your own fruit mince it is always so much better. But, since we are talking about being short of time I think we can safely say that buying it will have these in the oven twice as quickly.
Yeah, now I think you’ve got my interest.
What about you. What is your favourite Christmas treat?
Fruit Mince Muffins
Ingredients
- 300 gm SR flour
- 150 gm caster sugar
- 250 ml milk
- 80 ml vegetable oil
- 1 whole Egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 410 gm fruit mince (such as Robertsons from any supermarket) or make your own
- 100 gm butter melted , extra
- 200 gm caster sugar
- 20 gm sugar extra fine for dipping the tops in
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 170 C / 340 F
- Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, and mix together.
- In a separate bowl whisk the milk,oil, egg and vanilla, until well blended. Pour this Mix together until JUST combined. Do not overmix. It will become tough.
- Use a muffin tray ( mini or larger) and cupcake papers to fit . Half fill each muffin case then using a teaspoon, spoon a teaspoon of mince onto the top of each . Cover this mince mixture with a spoonful of muffin mixture.
- Bake these for approximately 20 minutes, or until slightly risen and firm to touch.
- Cool on a cake rack.
- Paint the top of each muffin with butter and then dip each into caster sugar.
This recipe has been included by Twinkl among their top picks for Delicious Christmas Dessert Recipes
I had made fruit mince tarts and had some fruit mince left over so I thought I’d give this recipe a try. So glad I did…. Now I have to go buy some more fruit mince so I can make some when the family comes for Christmas. So much quicker than making sweet pastry and curry out circles. THANK YOU!
Hi Geraldine
I am more than happy to help.
That’s exactly why I wrote this recipe. My family loves it!
Have a great Christmas
Tania
These muffins are so clever! I love fruit mince pies but the pastry can be a bit rich and sweet so muffins are an awesome way to enjoy the flavours
Yes they aren’t as sweet so are perfect!
Can’t wait to give these a try. thanks for sharing with YWF too. x
Thanks vicki
I’m a loving these muffins! I haven’t had a mince pie for years. Hubby doesn’t like them and if I bought/made some, I’d have to eat them all by myself which is not a hardship but is not wonderful for my waistline. I read somewhere the other day that apparently there’s an olden days law that says it’s illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day in England! But your muffins would be totally legit!
Ha thats funny Sammie. Thanks and they are very easy to make…….
What a clever way around all that pie dough, these muffins would be christmas in my pocket 😀
I need to try this!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
i have never had a fruit mince pie or muffin, may need to change this soon!
What a brilliant idea Tania! These are definitely going on my Christmas list xox
This is so clever and absolutely delicious! I love the idea of a fruit mince muffin….more than the pie! YUMMM!
I love fruit mince tarts and have been wanting to make some myself for ages but could never find a quick and easy recipe. I love the idea of a fruit mince muffins, can’t wait to make some!
We had my mum’s homemade mince pies every Christmas Eve as we sat around the tree in near darkness as the few surviving Christmas lights gave out a little light. I made mince pies and they were accepted on foodgawker and tastespotting but no one looked at them (mostly American ‘gawkers’) because they thought they were made of minced meat and fruit and were horrified. I had no idea at that stage that American cuisine served at Christmas and British cuisine served at Christmas are so very different xx
The crunchy sugar coating brings back memories of when I was little. The bakery used to sell chocolate chip muffins with the thickest sugar crust. They were AMAZING but they stopped making them ages ago. Yum Tania!
Oh my… seasons eatings with these little beauties!
Truly, truly I am smiling and saying ‘vive la difference’ . . . I am Northern European, came here as a child and that was a long time ago. I am afraid I also walk a long way around a fruitcake or mince pie or Christmas pudding 🙂 ! And I normally eat almost everything!! Actually I am not having the usual fare of my birth country this year but must admit Christmas is not Christmas without home made spicy black pudding and crisply fried blood cakes made from fresh pig’s blood with lingonberry conserves ! Platters of small meat ‘dumplings’ [piroshky] with twice cleared consommé! Thick slices of roast pork with plenty of crackling and piles of sweet and almost browned sauerkraut followed with cardamom rich yeast breads . . . I am afraid no fruit mince 😀 !!
What a great recipe. This one is definately being saved. Do you think they would freeze well?
Since the olds and John’s family are coming for Christmas, I made a Christmas pudding but to be honest, I really don’t like it. I made it for Joan because it’s her tradition and it might break through the memory barrier.
I like fudge, decorated cookies and truffles although Christmas isn’t the best time for truffles.
I love this!! Just a bit of fruit mince hidden inside – it’s really clever because it’s always surprising how many people DON’T like fruit cake!! So a fruit cake is a complete no go for some people, but a fruit MINCE surprise inside is a great crowd pleaser! Thank you for sharing!!
I think they are great all year round. I want a couple of them for my afternoon tea, Tania.