Orlando's easy mince pies

Orlando says:

"I was given the recipe for this pastry by a friend in her 80s, who said the harder you treat it, the better it tastes. It's true! You can throw the dough around and it still comes out crisp and biscuity. Don't try and roll it out - cases and lids are pressed out by hand, so they're ideal for children to help with."

225g/8oz cold butter, diced
350g/l2oz plain flour
100g/4oz golden caster sugar
280g/10oz mincemeat
1 small egg, beaten
icing sugar, to dust

1 To make the pastry, rub the butter into the flour, then mix in the sugar and a pinch of salt. Combine the pastry into a ball - don't add liquid - and knead it briefly. The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.

2 Preheat the oven to 200C/gas6/fan180C. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole. Spoon the mincemeat into the pies.

3 Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies.Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal - you don't need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own. (The pies may now be frozen for up to 1 month).

4 Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack. To serve, lightly dust with icing sugar. They will keep for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container