As an American, I never knew what mincemeat was until a few years ago. I would hear about mincemeat or mince pies in holiday films but I always assumed it was like an actual meat pie similar to chicken pot pie that you have during the holiday season. It wasn’t until I saw a vegetarian blogger that I follow post a picture or video that I realized it was fruit tart with spices! I was intrigued and wanted to try them but mincemeat isn’t a thing in the States, at least not where I live. I tried looking for a mincemeat filling online but most contained beef which I found strange. Most traditional mincemeat fillings contain some sort of animal ingredient which is gross. So, because I don’t like to give up, I decided to look for a vegan or vegetarian mincemeat recipe and found a few but I didn’t have certain ingredients so finally, I decided to pick from several different recipes and pick and choose what ingredients I did have and created my mincemeat recipe!
Now, I’ll admit I don’t know what traditional mincemeat but if you enjoy the taste of fruit with spices and a zest of lemon, then I think you’ll find this filling delicious! Last year, I served these mincemeat tarts and they were a hit at our Christmas party!
For the sake of this post, I made mini pies using the pie maker I bought a few years ago from Target but you can make fake tarts by using a cupcake tray. Feel free to use whatever ingredients you have in your pantry. I recommend using golden raisins because they add a subtle sweetness that regular raisins don’t. I also recommend using dried cherries because they give off a more tart taste. Again, use whatever you have on hand.
INGREDIENTS
– 2 apples
– 1 cup of raisins
1 cup of dried fruit
– 1 cup of brown sugar or coconut sugar
– 1 tbsp of lemon juice
– 1 cup of water
– 1/3 cup of coconut oil
– 2 tsp of cinnamon
– 1 tsp cloves
– 1 tsp ginger
– 1 tsp allspice
– 1 tsp of nutmeg
*zest from lemons and oranges (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut and chop the apples with their skins and add them to a large pot.
2. Add all of the ingredients to the pot and mix.
3. Heat on medium heat for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Until apples have softened and most of the water has been absorbed into the mixture.
4. Take off the heat and let the mixture cool.
5. Pour the mixture into a large glass jar and let it sit overnight.
MINCE TARTS RECIPE
With a store-bought premade pie dough (I used Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Pie Crusts) cut out circles (I used the top of a cup) and place in a cupcake or tart tin. Add 1-to-3 spoonfuls of the mincemeat filling into the tin, don’t overstuff! With a festive cookie cutter, cut out a shape from the remaining dough and lightly place it over the mince tart. Place baking tin in the oven.
Bake the tarts at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Top with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and enjoy! This recipe makes 18-20 tarts.
Have you ever had mincemeat or mince tarts/pies before?
I always thought a mincemeat pie was meat too, but it sounds tasty. I love the way you dressed it up to make it festive. I’ll have to give it a try.
Thank you! Please do, it’s so tasty! ♥
Mince meat here in Australia is definitely NOT fruit! It’s ground up, very processed meat, usually beef, that we just.. don’t question about how good for you it is (don’t worry, the packaging tells you – it’s BAD – we just all ignore it).
I don’t mind mince meat in other recipes where more spices and other ingredients are added to make it taste better, in fact it can be the highlight of the meal then, but in pies it is GROSS. It is NOT a sweet over here, it is a savoury item, and it is very cheap and nasty, just like Australia is known for.
Unfortunately, the “stereotypical” Australian is known for getting drunk, watching sport, swearing, and eating gross things like mince meat pies and other cheap, nasty foods like that. I’m not proud of what we’re known for as people over here.
Anyway, your pies sound completely different – they sound delicious, in fact! I had no idea this was their filling when I saw them on Instagram. I was confused why they looked more sweet when you said they were mince meat ???? I love that you put a gingerbread man on top, too! I think that’s super cute and festive. I really love this post and hope to see more like it in the future!
That’s what I thought mincemeat was! Maybe it’s called different names in different locations. haha
Thank you! Yeah, I always have to make things look cute! haha
I’m always hesitate to publish recipes because I don’t think I’m a good baker/cook but I think I may post more cute and easy recipes in 2024. Thanks for encouraging me! ♥