Mince Pie Pinwheels With Puff Pastry

Name: Mince Pie Pinwheels
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 Sheet Ready-rolled puff pastry ((320g/11.3oz)); 1 Jar Fruit mincemeat ((roughly 400g/14oz)); 1 Small Beaten egg ((for egg wash)); Icing sugar ((for dusting))

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These puff pastry mince pie pinwheels are a fun twist on the classic Christmas treat and they are super easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip these up from scratch in less than 30 minutes!

a plate of puff pastry mincemeat pinwheels

Ready for a fun twist on a Christmas classic? Once you see how delicious and easy these puff pastry mince pie pinwheels are, you might never go back to the traditional version!

While regular shortcrust pastry mince pies are undeniably delicious, this mincemeat pinwheel version makes for a quick, simple, and kid-friendly alternative. They require much less effort and the spiral shape adds a fun and playful touch. They're perfect for those times when you fancy the taste of homemade mince pies but can't be bothered with all the faff of making pastry or mincemeat from scratch.

Below you'll find my detailed post that includes ingredient and equipment notes, top tips and step-by-step images. I hope you find it helpful but if you prefer the condensed version, you can scroll to the recipe card at the end of the post. And if you like this recipe, don't forget to check out my Biscoff puff pastry tree too! Enjoy!

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make my mincemeat pinwheels:

Puff pastry: Puff pastry is the star of the show here, giving the pinwheels their signature flaky, buttery texture. It's a bit of a lazy shortcut but let's be honest, who has time to make puff pastry from scratch?! I'd recommend using a ready-rolled sheet to make the process even easier- just make sure you let it come to room temperature before using it to prevent cracking.
Mincemeat: Mincemeat, despite its name, does not actually contain any meat. Back in the day, it did used to contain meat from animals such as rabbits and sheep but nowadays, it's just a mix of dried fruits, spices and suet. Most of the jarred mincemeat you can buy at the supermarket is made with vegetable suet so is suitable for veggies and vegans too! If you prefer, you can use your own homemade mincemeat instead.
Egg: One small egg to brush your pastries before baking, which will give them a lovely golden-brown sheen. This is not strictly necessary but it will make them look a lot more appetising. If you're vegan or have an egg allergy, a bit of milk or melted butter (dairy or plant-based) will work well as a substitute.
Icing sugar: This is just for dusting at the end to create a festive snowy effect. If you want to get really fancy, you can create a simple glaze by mixing icing sugar and water together.

Equipment

Baking tray: I prefer to use a rimmed baking tray to prevent any sticky mincemeat from bubbling over in the oven. If you only have a flat tray, be careful when taking it out of the oven as the liquids might spill out.
Baking paper: To prevent sticking. Using a non-stick baking tray will save the need for this.
Pastry brush: For applying the egg wash. In a pinch, you can use your clean fingers or the back of a small spoon, but a pastry brush will give you the most even coverage.
Floss: Optional but handy for cutting the pastry into slices.
Whisk or fork: To beat the egg.
Small sieve: Or an icing sugar duster, to decorate your mincemeat pinwheels. This will give you a more even distribution than sprinkling it over by hand.

overhead image of puff pastry mince pie pinwheels

How to make mince pie pinwheels

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F and line two trays with baking paper.

Step 2: Unroll 1 puff pastry sheet and carefully spread 1 jar of Christmas mincemeat all over. Leave a small gap around the edges to prevent it from spilling out as you roll.

spreading jarred mincemeat onto puff pastry sheet

Step 3: Starting with the longest side closest to you, roll the pastry up into a log. Divide the log into 12 equal slices.

Step 4: Place the pinwheels onto your lined trays, making sure to leave a little bit of space between them to prevent them from sticking together as they bake. I like to put 6 on each tray to ensure plenty of space.

Step 5: Whisk a small egg in a bowl or mug then use a pastry brush to brush it onto your pastries.

Step 6: Bake for around 15 minutes or until your mincemeat pinwheels are golden brown all over. Leave them on the tray until they're completely cold.

Step 7: Finish off with a light dusting of icing sugar and enjoy!

Top Tips

To get a neater slice, cut the pastry log using unflavoured dental floss rather than a knife (this will prevent squishing). Just loop the floss underneath the log and cross the two ends over one another to make a cut.
Let your puff pastry sheet sit out at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before you begin- this will prevent it from cracking when you unroll it.
Don't skip the egg wash! This makes the pastry extra crispy and gives it a lovely golden-brown appearance.
Let the pinwheels cool completely before you try to remove them from the tray- they may fall apart otherwise due to the sticky mincemeat.

FAQs

Can I use homemade mincemeat instead of jarred?

Absolutely! Homemade mincemeat works brilliantly for pinwheels. Just ensure there isn't too much liquid in there as it might make the puff pastry soggy.

How thick should I cut the slices?

This will vary depending on the weight/dimensions of your pastry but aim for roughly 12 even slices. You can gently mark the pastry with a knife before making the final cuts.

How should mince pie pinwheels be stored?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They'll start to lose their crispiness if stored for any longer than this.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, you can freeze them either before or after baking for up to 3 months. I like to freeze mine on a tray first then transfer them to a freezer bag but you can also keep them in an airtight container. If you're baking them from frozen, you'll need to let them bake for a few minutes longer, until they're golden brown.

hand holding up a puff pastry mince pie pinwheel

I hope you like my mince pie pinwheels recipe! If you make them at home, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and comment below. Enjoy!