Festive Apple & Mincemeat Filo Wreath: An Easy & Elegant Christmas Dessert Recipe

As the magical Christmas season draws near, the air typically buzzes with excitement, carol singing, and the delightful aroma of holiday baking. However, for some, the festive spirit takes a little longer to ignite. This year, my own home is in the midst of renovation chaos – no Christmas tree, no twinkling lights, just dust sheets and unfinished projects. It’s certainly a different kind of December, and while the absence of traditional decorations dampens the immediate festive mood, I envision a spectacular, over-the-top celebration next year once our house is finally transformed into a cozy sanctuary. Despite the current state of affairs, I know the festive cheer will fully arrive on Christmas Day when we gather with dear friends, and then again on Boxing Day with family.

Being on dessert duty for both occasions (a role I happily embrace, though it rarely comes as a surprise!), my planning this year has revolved around make-ahead, chilled delights. This strategic approach ensures I can enjoy the festivities without being tied to the kitchen on the day itself, given my current lack of a proper cooking space. Unfortunately, that means this wonderfully flaky and aromatic Festive Apple and Mincemeat Filo Wreath, which truly shines when served warm straight from the oven, won’t be making an appearance at my table this year. Though, I must confess, a cold slice the next morning with my coffee is a guilty pleasure I can rarely resist!

Why This Filo Wreath is Your Perfect Christmas Dessert Solution

If, unlike me, you’re fortunate enough to have access to your oven on Christmas Day, or indeed any day throughout the bustling festive period, then this Apple and Mincemeat Filo Pastry Wreath presents itself as an absolutely delightful and significantly lighter alternative to the traditional, often heavy, Christmas pudding. While it’s bursting with all those beloved Christmassy flavours from the rich mincemeat – a classic holiday staple with its blend of dried fruits, spices, and often a hint of brandy – complemented beautifully by crisp apples and sweet cranberries, it doesn’t carry the same density as a steamed pudding. This makes it an ideal choice for a festive meal that might already feature an abundance of rich dishes, ensuring your guests leave feeling satisfied but not overly full or lethargic. It offers a wonderful balance, providing comforting holiday flavours without weighing down the palate.

Beyond its wonderfully balanced texture and taste, one of the greatest advantages of this festive filo wreath is its incredible ease of preparation. Forget complicated baking techniques or hours spent meticulously crafting a dessert; this recipe is truly more of an “assembly job” than a strenuous baking endeavor. It’s perfect for those last-minute dessert decisions, when you suddenly realize you forgot to plan for a grand finale, or for anyone who prefers a stress-free approach to holiday entertaining. The process involves a simple matter of stirring together a few wholesome ingredients for the aromatic filling, and then skilfully layering sheets of delicate filo pastry to create its impressive structure. And no, for the record, I didn’t embark on the ambitious task of making my own filo pastry from scratch; life is too short, especially during the holidays! High-quality store-bought filo is a magnificent convenience that allows everyone, regardless of their baking experience, to achieve impressive, professional-looking results without the masochistic effort.

Mastering Filo Pastry: Tips for a Golden, Flaky Result

Filo pastry, with its whisper-thin layers, is absolutely key to the beautiful, airy texture of this festive wreath. When each sheet is delicately brushed with melted butter and then baked, it transforms into a golden, irresistibly crisp shell that shatters delightfully with every bite. The ground almonds, sprinkled generously between some of the layers, not only add a subtle nutty flavor but also contribute significantly to the overall texture. They help absorb any excess moisture, preventing the layers from becoming soggy and adding another dimension of richness that complements the fruit filling perfectly. Working with filo might seem intimidating at first due to its perceived fragility, but it’s actually quite forgiving. The most important tip is to keep your unused sheets covered with a damp, clean cloth or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out and becoming brittle while you work. And don’t worry if a sheet tears – simply patch it up with another small piece or fold it over, and carry on. The beauty of this homemade wreath is its rustic charm; minor imperfections only add to its unique, handcrafted appeal.

The vibrant filling itself is a true celebration of classic Christmas flavours. Mincemeat, with its rich history and complex profile of dried fruits like currants, raisins, and sultanas, candied peel, spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and often a touch of citrus zest and brandy or rum, forms the aromatic heart of this dessert. When combined with fresh, tart, diced eating apples, such as Braeburn or Granny Smith, it introduces a lovely acidity and essential moistness that beautifully cuts through the richness of the mincemeat, creating a harmonious and well-rounded taste experience. Dried cranberries are also included, providing welcome bursts of vibrant colour and a pleasant chewy texture that enhances the overall mouthfeel. Finally, light brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness that perfectly complements the fruit and spices. This vibrant, flavour-packed filling is then lovingly encased within the crisp filo layers, creating a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures once baked to perfection.

Serving Suggestions & Elegant Presentation for Your Holiday Table

Once baked to a magnificent golden hue and fragrant with the scents of apple and mincemeat, this Festive Apple and Mincemeat Filo Pastry Wreath is an absolute showstopper. I personally love serving it warm with a generous dollop of creamy custard, allowing the gentle warmth of the dessert to meld with the smooth, comforting sauce. However, its remarkable versatility means it pairs beautifully with a wide range of accompaniments, catering to every preference. Imagine it alongside a scoop of rich vanilla ice cream, which creates a wonderful hot-and-cold sensation that’s both refreshing and indulgent, or with a cloud of freshly whipped cream for an impossibly light and luxurious touch. For an extra festive flourish, a warm brandy sauce will truly elevate this dessert, adding that quintessential Christmas spirit with every spoonful. The combination of the crisp pastry, the warm spiced fruit filling, and a luxurious sauce is simply irresistible and guaranteed to impress your guests.

One small consideration when serving this elegant wreath is its inherently delicate nature. Due to its numerous flaky layers, transferring it from the baking sheet to a dedicated serving platter can be a little tricky. If you’re not overly concerned with formal presentation, or perhaps you’re hosting a more relaxed gathering, serving it straight from the baking tray (especially if you’ve used a lovely ceramic or enameled one) is a perfectly acceptable and fuss-free option. This approach minimizes handling and the risk of any breakage. However, if you do wish to present it on a beautiful serving dish as a true centerpiece, a cake lifter or two wide spatulas can be incredibly handy tools for a seamless transfer. By carefully sliding them underneath the wreath, you can minimize any potential breakage and ensure your stunning creation arrives intact and ready to be admired at the table.

Elevate Your Dessert with Simple, Stunning Decorative Touches

Beyond the delicious taste, presentation plays a huge role in holiday baking, transforming a mere dessert into an experience. To truly make this Festive Apple and Mincemeat Filo Wreath sing, consider adding some simple yet elegant decorative touches. My personal favourite are sugared cranberries, which I initially make purely for their beautiful, frosty, jewel-like appearance – though I must admit, I enjoy popping them in my mouth too! They’re incredibly simple to prepare: just dip fresh cranberries into a warm sugar syrup (made by simmering equal parts sugar and water until dissolved and slightly thickened), then roll them in granulated sugar and leave them to dry for about an hour. The result is a sparkling, crystalline garnish that adds a touch of winter wonderland magic and sophistication to your dessert. You can also vary this by adding a tiny hint of orange zest to the sugar syrup, or a pinch of ground cinnamon or ginger for an extra layer of festive aroma.

Other fantastic decorative ideas for your apple and mincemeat filo wreath include a light, even dusting of icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar) – a classic and effortlessly elegant finish that evokes fresh fallen snow. A sprinkle of toasted flaked almonds over the top before serving adds a lovely contrasting texture and a beautiful golden glow. For a vibrant pop of colour, arrange a few fresh mint leaves around the base of the wreath, creating a fresh, aromatic contrast. Or, for an unmistakable Christmas touch, you could even place a small sprig of holly (ensuring it’s purely for decoration and not consumed due to its toxicity) in the very centre of the wreath. These small, thoughtful efforts in presentation can transform an already delicious dessert into an unforgettable centrepiece for your holiday table, sparking joy, admiration, and plenty of festive cheer from your cherished guests.

As you prepare for the bustling festive season, I’d love to know: are you fully prepared for Christmas, or are you still amidst the delightful chaos of planning? What wonderful dishes and desserts are you planning on serving your loved ones this year? Share your culinary inspirations, creative tips, and any last-minute ideas with us!

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Apple And Mincemeat Filo Wreath

Serves 6-8

Author Domestic Gothess

Ingredients

• 3 large or 4 small eating apples such as braeburn
• 300 g (10.5 oz) mincemeat
• 75 g (2.65 oz) dried cranberries
• 70 g (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) light brown soft sugar
• 125 g (½ cup) butter, melted
• 10 sheets filo pastry
• 100 g (3.5 oz) ground almonds
• icing sugar for dusting

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
• Peel, core and dice the apples, mix with the mincemeat, cranberries and sugar.
• Lay one sheet of filo pastry flat on the work surface, brush with melted butter and sprinkle over ⅙th of the ground almonds; lay another sheet of pastry on top and repeat the butter and almonds, lay another sheet on top and repeat again. Lay a fourth sheet of pastry on top and spread over half of the apple mixture, leaving a 5cm border around the edges. Roll the pastry up from one of the long sides to encase the apple filling, don’t roll it too tightly. Shape the roll into a semicircle and place on the baking tray.
• Repeat with four more sheets of pastry. Place the second semicircle onto the same baking tray and tuck the ends of each half together so that it forms a complete circle. Brush all over with melted butter.
• Cut one of the remaining sheets of pasty into four strips width-ways. Wrap a strip around each join and around any splits that might have opened up while you were shaping the wreath. Brush with butter.
• Cut the remaining sheet of filo into stars using a small pastry cutter, brush with butter and place decoratively on top of the ring.
• Bake for 40 minutes until golden. Carefully slide the wreath onto a serving platter (it is very delicate and you may lose a few stars in the process, a cake lifter is the best tool for the job.) and dust with icing sugar. Serve immediately with custard, cream or ice cream.