Christmas just wouldn't be complete without a mince pie, but if you're looking to elevate this festive staple from the supermarket shelf to a restaurant-worthy treat, a top chef has revealed an astonishingly simple hack. Using just two extra ingredients, you can transform humble shop-bought pies into a luxurious gourmet dessert that will dazzle your guests.
The Genius Chef Behind the Simple Dessert Upgrade
The culinary mastermind behind this festive game-changer is Sophie Nahmad, the lead chef at recipe box giant Gousto. Her innovation brings serious 'wow factor' to the Christmas table without requiring advanced patisserie skills. As reported by the Express, the method is remarkably straightforward, requiring only custard and sugar to achieve a spectacular result.
Sophie explained the appeal of her creation, stating: "Adding a Crème Brûlée topping to your mince pies is the ultimate luxury treat, it's sweeter and infinitely more indulgent." This clever twist promises to convert even the most ardent mince pie sceptics into year-round fans, offering a playful yet sophisticated end to any festive meal.
How to Create Your Own Crème Brûlée Mince Pies
The process, which takes less than ten minutes from start to finish, is designed for maximum impact with minimal effort. You'll need just six ready-made mince pies, 250ml of cold custard, and six teaspoons of caster sugar. The method is foolproof: spoon a generous layer of cold custard over each pie, sprinkle the tops evenly with sugar, and then caramelise.
For the final, transformative step, you have two options. You can pop the pies under a hot grill for two to three minutes, or for the authentic brûlée finish, use a kitchen blowtorch if you have one. The goal is a golden, crackly crust that provides the perfect textural contrast to the pie beneath.
Why This Hack is a Festive Winner
The beauty of this hack lies in its stunning combination of temperatures and textures. Serving the dessert immediately delivers the perfect contrast of warm, spiced pastry and cool, creamy custard – a sensory delight that elevates the entire experience. It turns a simple, store-cupboard item into a centrepiece dessert worthy of any Christmas dinner party.
Sophie Nahmad guarantees the result is a "showstopper of a dessert" that is both indulgent and impressive. In a season where time is precious, this 10-minute culinary upgrade offers a brilliant way to add a touch of gourmet flair to your celebrations without spending hours in the kitchen. It proves that with a little creativity, the classic mince pie can enjoy a dazzling and delicious second act.
