Ecclefechan tarts with smoked whisky cream recipe
 These fruit-filled and spiced pastry tarts from Scotland make a great alternative to mince pies throughout winter. Equipment and preparation: You will need a 12-hole muffin tin. 200g/7oz plain flour 125g/4½oz unsalted butter, cold 70g/2½oz icing sugar 1 free-range egg yolk 200g/7oz plain flour 125g/4½oz unsalted butter, cold 70g/2½oz icing sugar 1 free-range egg yolk 125g/4½oz dark brown sugar125g/4½oz unsalted butter, softened 2 large free-range eggs, beaten 250g/9oz raisins 100g/3½oz sultanas 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon walnuts, to garnish 125g/4½oz dark brown sugar 125g/4½oz unsalted butter, softened 2 large free-range eggs, beaten 250g/9oz raisins 100g/3½oz sultanas 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon walnuts, to garnish 15ml/1 tbsp smoky whisky 2 tbsp golden caster sugar 200ml/7fl oz double cream fresh nutmeg, to taste 15ml/1 tbsp smoky whisky 2 tbsp golden caster sugar 200ml/7fl oz double cream fresh nutmeg, to taste Method To make the sweet shortcrust pastry, add the flour to a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the icing sugar, then add the egg yolk and bring together into a dough. If necessary, add a splash of cold water to help bind the dough. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in cling film and chill for around 1 hour before using. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 5mm/¼in and cut out small circles, using a pastry cutter, a little larger than the holes in your muffin tin. Line the holes in your muffin tin with the pastry then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C/160 Fan/Gas 4.To make the filling for the tarts, cream the sugar and butter together in a bowl until smooth. Slowly add the eggs a little at a time and mix to fully incorporate – avoid adding too much at once or the mix will split. Fold in the raisins, sultanas and spices and mix together well. Divide the mixture equally between the chilled pastry cases then bake for around 20–25 minutes. The pies are cooked when the filling is set.To make the whisky cream, place the whisky, sugar and double cream in a large bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Grate in some nutmeg and fold through. Once the tarts have cooled slightly, garnish with crumbled walnuts and serve alongside the whisky cream. To make the sweet shortcrust pastry, add the flour to a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the icing sugar, then add the egg yolk and bring together into a dough. If necessary, add a splash of cold water to help bind the dough. To make the sweet shortcrust pastry, add the flour to a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the icing sugar, then add the egg yolk and bring together into a dough. If necessary, add a splash of cold water to help bind the dough. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in cling film and chill for around 1 hour before using. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in cling film and chill for around 1 hour before using. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 5mm/¼in and cut out small circles, using a pastry cutter, a little larger than the holes in your muffin tin. Line the holes in your muffin tin with the pastry then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Roll out the pastry to a thickness of 5mm/¼in and cut out small circles, using a pastry cutter, a little larger than the holes in your muffin tin. Line the holes in your muffin tin with the pastry then chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C/160 Fan/Gas 4. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C/160 Fan/Gas 4. To make the filling for the tarts, cream the sugar and butter together in a bowl until smooth. Slowly add the eggs a little at a time and mix to fully incorporate – avoid adding too much at once or the mix will split. Fold in the raisins, sultanas and spices and mix together well. Divide the mixture equally between the chilled pastry cases then bake for around 20–25 minutes. The pies are cooked when the filling is set. To make the filling for the tarts, cream the sugar and butter together in a bowl until smooth. Slowly add the eggs a little at a time and mix to fully incorporate – avoid adding too much at once or the mix will split. Fold in the raisins, sultanas and spices and mix together well. Divide the mixture equally between the chilled pastry cases then bake for around 20–25 minutes. The pies are cooked when the filling is set. To make the whisky cream, place the whisky, sugar and double cream in a large bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Grate in some nutmeg and fold through. To make the whisky cream, place the whisky, sugar and double cream in a large bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Grate in some nutmeg and fold through. Once the tarts have cooled slightly, garnish with crumbled walnuts and serve alongside the whisky cream. Once the tarts have cooled slightly, garnish with crumbled walnuts and serve alongside the whisky cream. Recipe tips If you don’t want to make your own, you can use ready-made pastry for this recipe.