Few things are better than a warm, deep filled crumbly mince pie at Christmas – but can you freeze mince pies? In this article we’ll answer the question and find out the best way to go about storing these little festive wonders.
So, can you freeze mince pies?
The good news is that, YES, you can freeze mince pies. However, there are a few caveats. When freezing mince pies, you should always make sure you freeze them in the correct way.
Also, it’s important to follow the right defrosting and heating methods before savouring your delicious Christmas treat.
Both puff pastry and shortcrust pastry mince pies can be frozen. It is not recommended for filo pastry mince pies though.
Can you freeze mince pies bought from the supermarket?
Generally, yes you can freeze shop bought mince pies. Still, it’s always worth checking the packaging just in case they aren’t suitable.
What ingredients are in mince pies?
The Pastry
A little plain flour, butter, sometimes egg yolk and a little bit of sugar.
The Filling
The mincemeat filling is made from sugar, dried fruit, spices and alcohol – normally brandy, rum or whisky.
Do they freeze well?
Yes, mince pies normally freeze pretty well. You might find that they lose a little of that delicious taste to the rich filling and buttery pastry, as well as change to the texture. However, if you take the right steps when it comes to freezing, defrosting and reheating mince pies, they’ll still be delicious.
How long do mince pies last in the fridge?
Mince pies tend to last up to a week when stored in the fridge. That’s why, if you make a big batch of them, it’s worth freezing them.
How long do mince pies last in the freezer?
You can freeze mince pies for up to three months. After this, the changes to the taste and texture will affect the mince pies too much.
A great idea when it comes to Christmas preparations is to make your mince pies in September or October, then defrost them in time for the festive season.
Is it best to freeze cooked or uncooked mince pies?
While you can freeze them cooked or uncooked, it’s best to freeze them uncooked, then cook them once they’ve been defrosted.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Can you cook mince pies from frozen?
Technically yes. Still, we’d recommend defrosting your mince pies first, then cooking them.
How do you defrost frozen mince pies?
Defrosting mince pies is easy. Simply take them out of the freezer and remove any packaging, then place the mince pies onto a wire rack. Leave to defrost for 2-3 hours, before warming them through in a warm oven if they’re already cooked, or brushing them with beaten egg and baking them in the oven if they’re not.
You can also defrost your mince pies overnight in the fridge. Just put them on a plate in the fridge and leave them to defrost overnight.
Can you refreeze mince pies?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Refreezing mince pies leads to soggy pastry and a filling lacking in taste. Instead, only defrost the amount of mince pies that you need, to avoid even thinking about refreezing them.
How do you reheat mince pies?
If you’ve already cooked your mince pies before you froze and defrosted them, warm them in the oven at 190C/374F for 5-10 minutes.
You can also reheat them in the microwave – just place it on a microwaveable plate and heat in 15 second blasts, leaving to stand for a minute each time.
What about the actual mincemeat… how long does it last?
A long time!
When properly stored in a sterilised jar, it lasts for over a year.
Can you get food poisoning from a mince pie?
Most mince pies contain suet, which could make you ill if it goes rancid. If you’re not sure whether your mince pies or mincemeat has gone off, it’s best to be on the safe side.
Top tips for freezing mince pies
Before we dive into the step by step method, here are a few final tips when it comes to freezing mince pies.
Freeze them uncooked
The taste and texture will be less affected if you freeze them before you cook them, rather than freezing them when they’re cooked.
Freeze them without frosting
Freezing frosted mince pies can cause the icing sugar on the top to have a negative effect on the texture of the pastry, so it’s always best to freeze mince pies without frosting.
Always thaw them properly
Put in the time to allow them to defrost properly, otherwise the quality of the pastry will be affected.
📖 Recipe
Can You Freeze Mince Pies?
Instructions
How to freeze uncooked mince pies
- Place your uncooked mince pies in a greased or lined cake tin. Loosely cover the cake tin in cling film and then place it in the freezer to flash freeze. This will prevent them from sticking together.
- Remove the cake tin from the freezer after an hour or two – use a palette knife if necessary. Place your mince pies in an airtight freezable container, remembering to label them with the contents and date of freezing.
- For the final freeze, return your mince pies to the freezer. You can store your mince pies in the freezer for 3 months.
- Defrost for two hours at room temperature, before baking them as per the recipe.
How to freeze cooked mince pies
- Allow your baked mince pies to cool completely, before loosely wrapping the cake tin in cling film. Place the whole pan into the freezer for an hour or two.
- Freeze for a few hours, then remove the cake tin from the freezer – use a palette knife if necessary. Place your mince pies in an airtight freezable container, remembering to label them with the contents and date of freezing.
- For the final freeze, return your mince pies to the freezer. You can store your mince pies in the freezer for 3 months.
- Defrost for two hours at room temperature, before reheating in the oven at 190°C/374°F for 5-10 minutes.
Make my day! - Share your thoughts...