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4.53 from 51 votes
Homemade Mincemeat
Homemade Mincemeat
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 

You don't have to make your Homemade Mincemeat weeks in advance to create your own Mincemeat Pies for the holidays. Follow my easy recipe and I'll show you!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Irish
Servings: 2 jars
Author: bbcgoodfood.com
Ingredients
  • 500 g (3 cups) mixture of raisins, currants and sultanas (use jumbo or golden sultanas if you can get them)
  • 140 g (1 cup) dried apricots, chopped
  • 85 g (3/4 cups) dried cranberries
  • 85 g (3/4 cups) mixed peel
  • 150 ml (1/2 cup) brandy
  • zest and juice 1 lemon
  • zest and juice 1 orange
  • 175 g (12 tablespoons) melted butter or suet
  • 100 g (1 cup) fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped
  • 200 g (1 1/2 cup) brown sugar
  • tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
  1. Place the dried fruits and mixed peel into a large bowl. Pour over the brandy, zests and juices. Stir, then cover and leave to soak for 24 hrs. (I have done this step for 4 hours when I'm rushed)

  2. Tip the mixture into a large saucepan with the remaining ingredients and stir well. Set over a medium heat and, once the butter has melted, turn up the heat and bubble for a few mins. Pack while hot into sterilised jars (see tip, below). Leave in a cool, dark cupboard for at least a fortnight, or for up to 6 months.

Recipe Notes

Keep up to 6 months in a dark, cool space.

When it comes to sterilizing the jar, just put some water in the bottom of the jar and microwave it for 2 minutes until the water bubbles and steams. Pour out and fill while hot. Not too fussy at all.