Wholemeal Mince Pies

Pastry

1. Put the flour and butter into a large bowl.
2. Using a pastry blender or fork, mash the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Sprinkle the water over the flour and stir to bring together a ball of dough. If it does not do this easily add a few more drops of water. Cover the dough and leave it to stand for 15 minutes.
4. Rub a little butter around the insides of a 12 hole tart tray and pre-heat the oven.
5. On a lightly floured surface, or between two sheets of parchment, roll out the pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin.
6. Select a pastry cutter or cup a little bigger than the holes of the tart tray and press it into the dough to make circles.  Gather up the off cuts into a ball of dough and set aside.
7. Lift the pastry circles on to the prepared tray.

Filling and Topping

1. Put a teaspoon of mincemeat in the centre of each tart.
2. Roll out the remaining pastry to the thickness of a £1 coin.
3. Press the star cutter into the dough to make star shapes.
4. Gently place these over the mincemeat.
5. If using egg white, brush a little over the pastry stars.
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden brown.