Mincemeat Bars

Mincemeat Bars Recipe - Delicious Bars with Almonds and Raisins

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Servings: 24 bars

Introduction

Mincemeat bars are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for the holiday season. These bars are filled with a rich and flavorful mixture of mincemeat, almonds, and raisins, and topped with a sweet and creamy icing. They are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering or party.

History

Mincemeat bars have been a popular dessert for many years, especially during the holiday season. The recipe for mincemeat itself dates back to the 15th century, when it was originally made with meat, fruits, and spices. Over time, the recipe evolved to include more sweet ingredients, such as sugar and molasses, and less meat. Today, mincemeat bars are a sweet and delicious treat that are enjoyed by many.

Ingredients

1.5 cups brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp soft butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups Gold Medal flour
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
3 tbsp hot water
0.25 cup slivered almonds
0.25 cup seedless raisins
1 (9 oz (255 g)) package mincemeat, broken up with fork
1.5 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
about 3 tbsp hot milk
0.5 tsp vanilla
0.5 tsp almond flavoring

How to prepare

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) (moderate hot).
Grease two oblong pans, measuring 13 x 9.5 x 2 inches.
In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, eggs, molasses, butter, and vanilla.
Measure the flour using the dip-level-pour method or by sifting.
In another bowl, blend the flour, salt, soda, and spices; then stir them into the sugar mixture.
Mix in the hot water.
Stir in the almonds, raisins, and mincemeat.
Spread the dough thin in the greased pans, ensuring it fills in any holes as it bakes.
Bake for 12 – 15 minutes.
Immediately spread a mixture of confectioners sugar, milk, and flavorings over the baked dough.
Cut into squares or diamonds.

Variations

Add chopped dried apricots or cranberries for extra flavor.
Substitute walnuts or pecans for the almonds.
Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a decadent touch.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to grease your pans well before spreading the dough to prevent sticking.

- Make sure to spread the dough evenly in the pans to ensure even baking.

- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares or diamonds.

- Store the bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Serving Suggestions

Mincemeat bars are best enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to preheat your oven before baking the bars.

- Use a toothpick to test for doneness - it should come out clean when inserted into the center of the bars.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use regular sugar instead of brown sugar.

- Margarine can be used in place of butter.

- Any type of nuts can be used in place of almonds.

Make Ahead Tips

Mincemeat bars can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Presentation Ideas

Serve mincemeat bars on a festive platter with a dusting of powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Mincemeat bars pair well with a glass of red wine or a cup of hot cider.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store leftover mincemeat bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 5-10 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of mincemeat bars contains approximately 200 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of mincemeat bars contains approximately 35 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of mincemeat bars contains approximately 5 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of mincemeat bars contains approximately 2 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Mincemeat bars are a good source of iron, vitamin A, and calcium.

Alergens

Mincemeat bars contain nuts (almonds) and dairy (butter, milk).

Summary

Mincemeat bars are a sweet and delicious treat that are relatively low in calories and fat. They are a good source of carbohydrates and provide some essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Mincemeat bars are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for the holiday season. With a rich and flavorful filling and a sweet icing, these bars are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my dear friend Margaret for our weekly tea and gossip session. Margaret was a wonderful cook, and I always looked forward to trying out new recipes she had discovered.

As we sipped on our Earl Grey tea, Margaret casually mentioned that she had recently come across an old recipe for Mincemeat Bars that had been passed down through her family for generations. Intrigued, I asked her to tell me more about it.

Margaret explained that mincemeat bars were a traditional English dessert made with a rich, spiced filling of minced meat, dried fruits, and nuts, all encased in a buttery shortbread crust. She went on to describe how her great-grandmother had learned the recipe from a friend who had immigrated from England in the early 1900s.

I was instantly fascinated by the history and complexity of this recipe. Margaret could see the excitement in my eyes and offered to share the recipe with me. I eagerly accepted her offer, and she promised to write it down for me before I left.

The next day, I received a letter in the mail from Margaret with the handwritten recipe for Mincemeat Bars enclosed. I couldn't wait to try it out in my own kitchen. I gathered all the ingredients listed - minced beef, raisins, currants, suet, brown sugar, mixed spice, and a dash of brandy - and got to work.

I started by making the mincemeat filling, combining the meat, fruits, suet, sugar, and spices in a large pot and simmering it gently for hours until it was thick and fragrant. The scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves filled my kitchen, transporting me back in time to Margaret's great-grandmother's cozy cottage in the English countryside.

Once the mincemeat had cooled, I rolled out a batch of buttery shortbread dough and pressed it into a greased baking pan. I spread the mincemeat filling over the top, sprinkled it with chopped nuts for extra crunch, and popped it in the oven to bake.

As the bars baked, my kitchen was filled with the tantalizing aroma of warm spices and sweet fruits mingling with the rich, savory scent of the meat. I couldn't wait to see how they turned out.

When the timer dinged, I pulled the pan out of the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. The mincemeat bars were a beautiful golden brown, with the filling bubbling and oozing out slightly at the edges. I cut them into squares and took a bite.

The first taste was heavenly. The buttery shortbread crust crumbled delicately in my mouth, giving way to the rich, spiced mincemeat filling that was both sweet and savory at the same time. The nuts added a delightful crunch, and the hint of brandy added a touch of warmth to the dish.

I couldn't believe how delicious these mincemeat bars were. I had never tasted anything quite like them before. I immediately thought of my own family and how much they would enjoy this unique and flavorful dessert.

I made a mental note to share the recipe with my daughter and grandkids, passing it down through the generations just as Margaret's great-grandmother had done. I knew that this recipe for Mincemeat Bars would become a treasured family tradition, a link to our past and a taste of history in every bite.

And so, thanks to Margaret's generosity and my own curiosity, I had stumbled upon a hidden gem of a recipe that would bring joy and satisfaction to my family for years to come. I couldn't wait to make it again and share it with all those I loved. The memory of finding this recipe for the first time would always bring a smile to my face, a reminder of the power of friendship, tradition, and good food to bring people together.