Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups (500g) mixed dried fruit
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, coarsely grated
• 1/2 cup (125ml) brandy
• 1/4 cup (85g) orange marmalade
• 1/4 cup (55g) brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Coles Brand mixed spice

Shortcrust pastry

• 2 cups (300g) plain flour
• 1/2 cup (80g) icing sugar mixture
• 200g butter, chilled, chopped
• 1 egg

Method

• Step 1 Combine dried fruit, apple, brandy, marmalade, sugar and spice in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside overnight to soak, stirring occasionally.
• Step 2 Preheat oven to 200C. To make the shortcrust pastry, place the flour, icing sugar and butter in a food processor and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg and process until the dough just comes together. Turn out and shape into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 mins to chill.
• Step 3 Set one-third of the pastry aside. Roll remaining pastry out to a 3mm-thick disc. Use a 6cm round pastry cutter to cut 36 discs from pastry. Place discs in patty pans and transfer to fridge for 15 mins to chill. Spoon fruit mince among pastry cases. Roll remaining pastry out to 3mm thick. Use a 5cm round cutter to cut 18 discs. Use a 4cm star cutter to cut stars from each disc. Place the stars on half the pies and the discs with the star cut-outs on remaining pies.
• Step 4 Bake for 20 mins or until golden brown. Serve warm or cooled.