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Guide 2 Christmas   >   Mince Pies Mince Pies Mince pies (also known as "mince tarts") are a traditional British sweet pastry eaten during the Christmas period. The tradition dates back to the eleventh century when crusaders returning from the Holy Land brought back a variety of oriental spices and made pies with three spices (cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) to symbolize the three gifts given to the infant Jesus by the Magi. Originally the pies were rectangular with a place for the Christ Child to be placed on top: the baby was removed and the pie eaten in celebration. Mince pies are usually 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 centimeters) in diameter and made using sweet shortcrust or puff pastry. There is also an American version of mince pies, which is often larger (up to 10 inches - 25 centimeters) and can be used to serve several people. In Victorian times, the pies generally were spiced meat pies with some dried fruit. In modern times however, the filling is made from fruit mincemeat (typically containing raisins, currants, cherries, apricot, candied peel, spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and nuts such as walnuts and almonds, all in suet, and with brandy or rum). Mince pies can be served hot or cold. If eaten hot, many people enjoy eating them with brandy butter. There are many traditions associated with mince pies, although of course not everybody subscribes to all these traditions. They are a favorite food of Santa Claus, and that one or two should be left out by the chimney, (along with a glass of milk or brandy or sherry, and a carrot for his reindeer), as a thankyou for a well-filled stocking. The mincemeat mixture should be stirred in only a clockwise tradition. Stirring anticlockwise apparently brings bad luck. You should make a wish when eating the first mince pie of the season. Mince pies should be eaten in silence. Mince pies should have a star on the top, to represent the Christmas Star which led the shepherds and the Magi to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Related Links Brandy butter recipe Christmas Recipes Dessert Cook Books and Recipes The Complete Christmas Collection Christmas Recipes, Crafts And Kids' Activities. (Advertisement) Related Pages Brandy Butter Christmas Cake Christmas Pudding Gingerbread Gingerbread House Gingerbread Man Yule Log Before reviewing the following items, please see the important notice (below) regarding food products from Amazon.com. Important Notice Food products listed on this site, are offered by Amazon.com (and not the owners/operators of this website). Details and availability of such products may vary from time-to-time, and many/all such items may only be available to people in particular geographic locations (for example, only available within the USA, or within particular areas in the USA). Product label and/or packaging may contain more and/or different information from that shown on this website and/or Amazon.com's website. Always read labels, warnings, and directions before consuming any product. If considering purchasing any product from Amazon.com, please read any applicable legal Terms & Conditions or disclaimers on Amazon.com's website before purchasing and/or consuming.

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