Mark Hix recipe: Little Christmas crumbles

Little Christmas crumbles (Jason Lowe)

These make perfect festive party snacks or something to go with coffee at the end of the meal. You can use mincemeat or a combination of mincemeat and Christmas pudding if you need to use it up.

Makes 20

• 20 mini canapé-size tart cases
• 150-200g sweet mincemeat

For the topping

• 20g flour
• 20g hard, unsalted butter, diced into small pieces
• 10g caster sugar
• 4-5 shelled chestnuts, finely chopped

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 5. For the topping: put the flour and butter into a bowl – rub between your fingers to forge a breadcrumb-like consistency, then stir in the sugar and chestnuts. Finally, fill the tart cases with the mincemeat and spoon on the crumble. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until lightly coloured, and serve.