Finnish Christmas Pastries

225g pitted prunes, soaked till plump
1 cup water
juice 1 lemon

Simmer the soaked pruntes in water until very soft and easily mashed. Drain and mash while still warm and add lemon juice. Cool.

1 2/3 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup cream
100g butter, softened

Whip the cream. Sift the flour and baking powder. Stir into the cream. Knead in the softened butter. Shape ito a ball and chill until hard. Roll out 50mm thick and cut into circles about 10cm in diameter. Refrigerate until ready to be filled.

Preheat oven to 220C. Put about a teaspoon of the filling onto one half of the pastry circle. Fold over to make a half moon and pinch edges together. Brush with beaten egg and bake about 10 minutes or until brown. Serve warm.

They can be frozen and reheated in a hot oven. This will make 25-30 pastries.