Festive Favourites: Day One-Mincemeat

Hello!

Today is the first of my festive favourites, mincemeat. Mincemeat is something that really does get better with time, the longer you leave it, the more it matures, and the tastier it becomes! So it really is worth making it early, and leaving it to sit for a few days before you make some yummy mince pies!

This recipe comes from the baking Queen, Mary Berry, and uses butter instead of suet, making it perfectly suitable for vegetarians, so its the perfect crowd pleaser! It makes 4 x 370g jars, so you should have plenty to keep you going over the Christmas period!

Ingredients:
175g currants
175g raisins
175g sultanas
175g dried cranberries
100g mixed peel
1 small cooking apple, peeled and finely chopped
125g butter, cut into cubes
50g whole blanched almonds, roughly chopped
225g light muscovado sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
1 lemon-rind and juice
200ml brandy

Method:
Measure all of the ingredients except the alcohol into a large pan.
Heat gently, allowing the butter to melt, then simmer very gently, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
Allow the mixture to cool completely then stir in the brandy.
Spoon the mincemeat into sterilised jam jars, seal tightly, label and store in a cool place.
Voila!

How easy is that? A festive favourite, ready in less than an hour, it really doesn't get any simpler.
This recipe can also be made up to six months ahead, and store in a cool dry place-you don't even need to freeze it! Simple!

So there is day one of our festive favourites, come back for day two tomorrow!

See you soon, and as always, happy baking!
Charley x


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