Food: Cranberry-almond mince pie squares
Serve cut into squares
MAKES 9
BASE
130g unsalted butter diced
60g golden caster sugar
110g plain flour
75g ground almonds
TOPPING
90g unsalted butter diced
100g light muscovado sugar
2 medium eggs
90g ground almonds
250g mincemeat
75g cranberries
★ Use a 23cm square baking tin, for example a brownie tin or equivalent. Place all the ingredients for the base in a food processor and reduce to crumbs, then keep the motor running until the mixture comes together into a dough – it will be soft and sticky. Press the mixture into the base of the tin. Lay a sheet of clingfilm over the top and smooth the surface with your fingers. Cover the tin with fresh clingfilm and chill for 1 hour.
★ Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Prick the base all over with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly coloured.
★ For the topping, cream the butter and sugar in a food processor, then add the eggs one at time, followed by the ground almonds, and whiz to combine. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the mincemeat. Spread this over the base in a thin layer, then scatter over the cranberries and bake for a further 30 minutes or until lightly coloured and set. Remove and run a knife around the edge, then leave to cool. Serve cut into squares. Loosely cover and chill – the squares will be good for several days.