Recipes using Mincemeat is a collection of recipes that includes not only traditional Christmas mince pies but also a whole range of delicious cakes, desserts, cookies, bread and tarts made with mincemeat.
Why make recipes using mincemeat?
If you haven’t tried mincemeat or mince pies then you are in for a treat. I’m a big fan of dried fruit but there’s more to mincemeat than just the fruit, you also have the warming spices and the tang of candied peel. Mincemeat has the texture of jam or maybe fruit pie filling, soft and sweet, it makes a great ingredient in so many recipes.
Mincemeat is a very British tradition and although it is usually served as individual shortcrust pastry mince pies there are lots of other bakes you can make. Did you know that over 300 million mince pies are eaten over Christmas.? I usually start eating them in November so I guess that’s not so surprising!
What is mincemeat?
Mincemeat is a rich mixture of dried fruits, spices, apples, citrus zest and juice, alcohol and suet or butter. You can make your own or you can buy it ready-made. It is a type of preserve and can be made early and stored in sterilised jars until you need to use it. I have found jars of mincemeat that were two years old in the back of my larder and they were still good to eat.
Is there meat in mincemeat?
Originally, there was meat in mincemeat and the mince pies would have been meat pies with added fruit and spices. Although it sounds a bit strange, it’s no different to putting dried dates or apricots in a Middle Eastern tagine recipe.
Over time the pies became more fruit and less meat, then the meat was replaced with beef suet. Now there is no meat in mincemeat and most is made with vegetable suet or butter.
Can I make my own mincemeat?
Make your own mincemeat for the best flavour. You can customise the recipe to suit your own tastes too. I have several different recipes that you can try:
- Slow Cooker Mincemeat is so simple to make, all the ingredients go into the slow cooker and it cooks itself.
- Dark Chocolate Mincemeat combines the rich fruity flavours of traditional mincemeat with dark chocolate for a decadent sweet treat.
- Instant Mincemeat is a quick and easy recipe that you can make and use immediately. It has a fresh light flavour but still packs a fruity punch.
Where can I buy mincemeat?
You can buy jars of mincemeat in groceries and supermarkets, in the UK. In other countries, you may have to look in specialist shops or buy online.
Like most things, homemade is much nicer. However, you can improve bought mincemeat by adding a tablespoon of brandy and a grated apple to the mixture before including in your recipe.
Mince Pie Recipes
I couldn’t create a collection of recipes without including mince pies, so here are some classics and some alternative mince pie recipes with a twist.
What else can I make using mincemeat?
Although mince pies are a very delicious treat this collection is more about all alternatives to mince pies. So I’ve gathered together a collection of some of the best alternative mincemeat recipes:
Mincemeat Cakes and Muffins
Use mincemeat as a ready-made ingredient to add that seasonal fruit and spice flavour to your cakes and muffins.
Mincemeat Brownies and Slices
Everyone loves brownies, and traybake slices are so easy to make. Make your favourites with added mincemeat and they are perfect to serve to visitors over the holiday season.
Filo Pastry Mincemeat Bakes
Filo or Phyllo pastry is made up of layers of thin pastry sheets. It’s a lighter way to serve up pastry treats and has a lovely crunch.
Bread and Buns with Mincemeat
I love a sweet bread or bun filled with a delicious filling. Mincemeat is a really easy way of adding that sweet fruity festive flavour to your bakes.
Puff Pastry Mincemeat Treats
I always have a pack of ready-rolled puff pastry in the freezer. I know that I can use it to make quick and easy savoury or sweet pies with whatever else I have in the fridge or larder.
Shortcrust pastry is traditional for mince pies, but you will see in the recipes below that you can make all kinds of different styles of pastry baked with puff pastry and mincemeat.
Mincemeat Tarts for sharing
Sometimes it’s nice to have a large pie or tart to share with your family and friends. Here are some different options, all using mincemeat, that you might like to try.
More delicious recipes using mincemeat
There were a few recipes I wanted to share that simply don’t fit into any of the other categories but they are too good to miss!
Shelagh says
One of my favourites is Delia Smith’s Mincemeat Christmas Cake. It can be made last minute, but still tastes great. I made it for the first time when i needed a Christmas cake in a hurry, now I make it every year.
Janice Pattie says
That’s a great recipe, Shelagh. Mincemeat is so versatile.
Sisley White says
These recipes have made me feel so Christmassy! Thank you so much for including me ❤️
Janice Pattie says
Me too, Sisley. Thank you for your lovely recipe and I hope you find some more inspiration here.
Camilla Hawkins says
Loving all these mincemeat based recipes, it really is such a versatile ingredient for festive themed dishes!
Janice Pattie says
It’s amazing what can be made with mincemeat. I’m feeling rather festive now!
Candace says
Some lovely recipes here Janice. Certainly going to try some of the mincemeat bread. Thank you for including my mincemeat and marzipan recipe
Janice Pattie says
You are welcome. I hope you enjoy making and eating the recipes.
Choclette says
Ooh, what a wonderful post. I love making things that aren’t mince pies with mincemeat and there are so many ideas here, they’ll keep me happy for some years to come.
Janice Pattie says
I’m glad you liked the post. I am also excited about trying these recipes.
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
I can’t decide which to make first! So many lovely ideas. Thanks for including my Chanukah mince pies 🙂
Janice Pattie says
Delighted to include your mince pies. It’s great to see so much creativity with humble mincemeat!
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
So many delicious choices!!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, yes lots of choice.
Emma says
What a great roundup! There’s only so.many mince pies one person can eat 😂
Janice Pattie says
Exactly! Some of these recipes will be on my table!
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons says
I guess this doesn’t come that early after all – can’t believe we’re November already! Great ideas and definitely inspiring to prepare some delicious mincemeat. I love the look of all of these, Janice! What a wonderful round-up.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Jill. I know people are buying mince pies already, so I thought November would be the right time to plant the seed for some other ideas 😁
Chloe Edges says
Great roundup! I don’t actually like mincemeat myself (shocker) but I always seem to end up making something with it for someone else! There are some great new ideas here!
Janice Pattie says
Ah yes, you are not alone. But I have the ultimate solution mini Teacle Tarts https://www.farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk/treacle-tarts-from-british-larder-review/
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
Such a fantastic round up and so much varied choice too! You would think there is only so much you can do with mincemeat but in fact there is SO much you can do with it! lol Thank you for including my recipe too! 🙂
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Jo. I agree, so much creativity and thank you for your contribution.
Kavita Favelle says
What an amazing collection of ideas, I’d never have thought mincemeat was so versatile. I’m particularly keen on the brownie slices and the chocolate mincemeat tart.
Janice Pattie says
Good choices! It is amazing how creative our blogging friend are!
Jones144 says
Hi
Thanks for the mince meat muffin recipe – we are doing a virtual family bake off with only ingredients in the house due to the virus!
Janice Pattie says
What a great idea! The mincemeat recipes have been very popular so I think you are not the only one who found a jar of mincemeat in your cupboard!
Christina Conte says
How did I miss this until now? Loving the collection of recipes and I’m sure I’ll be referring to this soon! Thanks for also including my Bakewell tart version with mincemeat! 🙂
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Christina. Always good to find more ways to eat mincemeat.
Sisley says
So many delicious recipes to try. I always have a jar or two of half used mincemeat to use up so I can’t wait to try them.
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, I hope you enjoy them.
CJ says
It’s usually puff pasty or nothing for me, but I’m definitely going to have to try those mincemeat scones!
Janice Pattie says
You should! They are very moreish.