Makes 18
FRUIT MINCE
1 cup sultanas
1 cup dried mixed fruit
¾ cup currants
1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated
1 lemon, finely grated rind and 1 tbsp juice
1 orange, finely grated rind
½ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup brandy
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp mixed spice
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
PASTRY
1¾ cups plain flour
¼ cup custard powder
2 tbsp icing sugar
125g butter, diced, chilled
1 egg
1 tbsp chilled water
icing sugar, for dusting, optional
1 Put sultanas, mixed fruit, currants, apple, lemon and orange rinds and juice into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Add sugar, brandy, cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg and cloves and stir until well combined. Spoon fruit mixture into a 2½-cup capacity sterilised screwtop jar. Refrigerate for up to 3 months. This recipe can be doubled. Makes approx. 2½ cups of fruit mince.
2 Place flour, custard powder and icing sugar into a food processor and process for 30 seconds or until combined. Add butter and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add egg and water. Process until mixture comes together. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth. Form into a disc and wrap in plastic film. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm.
3 Preheat oven to 180C. Grease 18 small tartlet moulds. Roll dough out between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Using a 7cm round biscuit cutter, cut 18 rounds from pastry. Line prepared baking pan with pastry. Spoon 1 tbsp fruit mince into each tartlet shell. Re-roll pastry if necessary and cut 9cm x 5.5cm round. Using a small star cutter, cut stars from the centre of each round. Place a star onto half of the fruit mince mixture and a round with the star cut out on the remaining 9 tarts. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden and pastry is cooked through. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar and serve.
NOTE: Purchased fruit mince can be used instead of making your own if you are short of time.