Recipe tweak helps secure top prize

CHAMPION: Michael Kloeg of Clareville Artisan Bakery wins national gold with his Christmas fruit mince pies.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Seasonal cheer has come early for Wairarapa pastry-lovers with the award-winning Clareville Artisan Bakery capturing a gold medal for the best Christmas fruit mince pies in New Zealand.

Owner Mike Kloeg said the bakery had just been named the 2015 winner of the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand Christmas Mince Pie contest and the seasonal delicacies will be available at the bakery right up until Christmas.

The annual competition was held in Dunedin and the winner was named on Sunday, he said.

While there was no "secret ingredient" and the recipe was not kept under lock and key, Mr Kloeg said, the creation of an award-winning Christmas pie may seem a kitchen mystery to some.

"It's the small things that count. You have to make sure everything is evenly baked and filled. It's just a matter of taking care and caring. The beauty of these competitions is that it gets you thinking 'how do I better my best'. Simple as that."

He said the sweet short crust pastry pies had a winning edge because they were made using only natural ingredients; 100 per cent butter that gives the pastry a superior texture in the mouth and the palate; a fruit mince filling comprised of apples, currants, sultanas, oranges, and lemons and spices; and a dash of rum and sherry.

"We're pretty excited to take it out, especially since it's the first time with our Christmas pies. We did tweak the fruit a little this year and focused on balance - not too sweet but more of a fruity flavour - and it's been maturing for about two months now," he said.

"That really develops the flavour. Come Christmas it'll be even better."