Luxurious Mincemeat

As the holiday season approaches, there's nothing quite like the comforting, nostalgic scent of homemade festive mincemeat filling the kitchen. Whether you’re an experienced baker or someone diving into Christmas traditions for the first time, making your own mince pies is a rewarding way to add a personal touch to a gathering. This quintessential British filling is a delicious mix of fruits, spices, and spirits—a tradition that has evolved over centuries. We do not use any flavourings or preservatives. 

A Little History

Mincemeat has a long history dating back to medieval times when it originally contained actual meat, along with dried fruits, spices, and suet. Over time, the recipe shifted toward the sweeter, fruitier version we know today. Now, it’s typically a mix of dried fruits, apples, citrus zest, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, often soaked in brandy or rum. It’s the perfect embodiment of festive flavours.

Ingredients for our festive Mincemeat

Making our own festive mincemeat with the finest ingredients:

• Dried Fruits: A mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, and homemade candied peel.
• Apples: Fresh apples give the mincemeat a natural sweetness and texture. We used the Taynton codlin apples which are a rare variety from Gloucestershire believed to be created for use in mincemeat. 
• Citrus Zest: Lemon and orange zest add a bright, zesty flavour.
• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves are the traditional go-to spices for that warm, festive feel.
• Alcohol: Brandy, rum, or whisky adds depth and helps preserve the mincemeat. We've selected a lovely french Brandy. 
• Sugar and Suet: Traditionally, suet is used to give the mixture richness, we've used a vegetarian suet and rich brown sugar.

Gifting Mincemeat

Homemade mincemeat also makes a fantastic Christmas gift. Packed it into pretty jars, with a festive ribbon, maybe attach a handwritten recipe card for making mince pies. It’s a thoughtful, personal present that any food lover will appreciate.