Christmas Fruit Mince Slice

Christmas catch ups often need a plate to share, rarely am I asked to bring something savoury and more often specifically asked to bring something sweet or baked. This slice has a 'Christmassy' feel, is not chocolate and can be made in advance. Ideal for those who love mince pies but do not want the bother of making individual pies or tarts or when you want something that can be cut into smaller portions. Cut into larger pieces and serve as a dessert.

The base is tender and buttery and unlike pastry does not need to be rolled out. Commercial fruit mince filling works well or make your own using this recipe. The topping is light and full of ground almonds.  

Christmas Fruit Mince Slice

Ingredients

Base 125gm butter, melted 1 cup SR flour 1 cup Plain flour ½ cup caster sugar 1 egg Fruit Mince Topping  1 1/2 cups fruit mince* commercial or homemade

Almond Topping 1 cup almond meal / ground almonds 2/3 cup castor sugar 90 g soft butter 1 egg

Method

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line deep slice tray.

Combine all the ingredients for the base, mix well into a dough.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared tin. Smooth/gently roll a glass across the top Bake the base for 15 minutes or until the edges are starting to colour and top is pale golden.

Meanwhile, make the almond topping.

Cream or beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add the egg and ground almonds and mix well.

When the base is ready, remove from the oven. Spread fruit mince over the base and then carefully spread the almond topping over the fruit mince.

Return to oven and bake for 20 minutes until topping has set and is golden brown. Leave slice to cool in the tin on a wire rack.

Cut slice up when completely cold.