Mince pies combine a rich, spiced fruit filling (mincemeat) with a buttery pastry, featuring key ingredients like dried fruits (raisins, currants, sultanas), sweeteners (brown sugar), spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves), citrus (lemon/orange zest & juice), often apple, and sometimes brandy or suet, all encased in a shortcrrust pastry made from flour, butter/lard, sugar, and sometimes ground almonds, plus an egg wash for glazing.