These delicious mince pie spirals are easy to make with shop bought puff pastry and make a difference to the dry and boring mince pies you can get at Christmas time!
The pinwheel shape is very easy to achieve with ready rolled puff pastry (so these are great for baking with children).
You can change up the dried fruit that you use according to your preferences, and the icing topping is optional, though it makes them reminiscent of cinnamon buns which can only be a good thing!
Like my Mince Pie Cookies and Christmas Muffins, these little treats taste super festive without being boring.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy – ready in 35 minutes.
- Perfect for Christmas baking with kids.
- No pastry skills needed – shop-bought puff pastry works brilliantly!
- Festive, flaky and fun!
- Great for gifting, parties or Christmas buffets.
Ingredients, Substitutions and Variations
- Puff pastry – I used shop bought puff pastry, which is absolutely perfect for this recipe. You can make your own if you want to, just roll it out into a rectangular shape before starting.
- Mincemeat – again, you can use shop bought or make your own. I like to use this one.
- Dried fruit – I used dried cranberries and dried dates (cut into small pieces). You could use dried cherries, sultanas or apricots – any dried fruit will work.
- Egg – for the egg wash.
- Sugar – I find sprinkling each mince pie pinwheel with a little caster sugar before baking makes them extra crisp and caramelised, but this is optional.
- Icing sugar and water – for your icing glaze after they have been baked.
Top Tips
- Keep the pastry cold: Cold pastry puffs better — if it gets warm, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Sharp knife = neat spirals: A clean, sharp knife gives the prettiest layers.
- Add a pinch of spice: Stir a little cinnamon or ginger into the mincemeat for extra warmth.
- For extra indulgence: Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with demerara sugar before baking.
Perfect for a Christmas Buffet or Snack Table
These mince pie spirals are ideal for Christmas buffets, afternoon tea or festive snack boards.
Here are some other easy recipes that pair beautifully:
- Spiced Christmas Muffins with Cranberries and Orange
- Mince Pie Cookies
- Festive Sausage Rolls
- Christmas Frittata with Pigs in Blankets and Brie
- Christmas Brownies
- Classic Baked Ham — for a savoury showstopper
Add them to your buffet spread for a mix of sweet and savoury that everyone will love.
FAQs
Yes! Bake them the day before, store in an airtight container and ice just before serving.
No – they’re delicious plain too, especially if you prefer something less sweet.
No – these are best made with puff pastry.
Mince Pie Spirals (Puff Pastry Pinwheels)
Ingredients
- 320 grams puff pastry
- 4 tablespoons mincemeat
- 20 grams dried cranberries
- 20 grams dried dates cut into small pieces
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon caster sugar
- 50 grams icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
- If your puff pastry is not ready rolled, roll it out into a large rectangle approx 0.5cm thick.
- Spread the mincemeat over the whole of the puff pastry sheet. Sprinkle over the cranberries and dates.
- From the longest edge, roll the puff pastry up into a spiral. Cut slices approximately 1 inch thick and lay down flat on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. You should get 10 spirals.
- Crack the egg into a small bowl and beat. Use a pastry brush to brush it over the spirals.
- Sprinkle the caster sugar over the top. Put in the oven for 20-30 minutes until risen and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- In a small bowl, mix together the icing sugar and water to make a smooth icing. It should be drizzling consistency- add more water if it is too thick.
- Use a spoon to roughly drizzle the icing over the spirals: let it set, then enjoy.
Video
Notes
Variations
- Orange twist: Add the zest of one orange to the filling for a citrus lift.
- Nutty version: Add chopped pecans or almonds for crunch.
- Cranberry & cherry mix: Swap half the mincemeat for cherry jam for a jammy, fruity flavour.
- Mini version: Cut the pastry in half before rolling to make bite-sized spirals for parties.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze unbaked spirals for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 5 minutes to the cooking time.
- Icing: Add the icing after baking and cooling, not before freezing.
Easy peasy festive snack! Perfect for making with kids