Fruity pear mince tarts

Almond pastry

• 30 g raw sugar or Rapadura sugar
• 30 g blanched almonds
• 210 g plain flour
• 130 g butter chilled and cut into pieces
• ½ tsp mixed spice
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 - 4 tsp water or orange juice (approx. ½ orange)

Marzipan shapes

• 250 g raw sugar
• 250 g blanched almonds
• ¼ tsp natural almond extract
• 2 tbsp cornflour plus extra for dusting
• 1 egg white
• cornflour for dusting

Mince filling

• butter for greasing
• 1 orange zest only, no white pith
• 750 g pears peeled, cores removed and cut into quarters
• 250 g caster sugar
• 100 g dried cranberries
• 130 g currants
• 50 g glace ginger cut into pieces
• 60 g flaked almonds
• 40 g lemon juice (approx. 1 lemon)
• 40 g orange juice (approx. ½ orange)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 2 tbsp brandy (optional)
• 1 egg lightly beaten, for brushing

Brandy cream sauce

• 70 g raw sugar
• 200 g pouring (whipping) cream
• 200 g full cream milk
• 3 eggs
• 40 g brandy
• icing sugar for dusting pies