How long does mincemeat last in a jar?

When the mincemeat is quite cold, stir in the brandy. Pack in sterilised jars (see below). When filled, cover with waxed discs and seal. It will keep in a cool, dark cupboard indefinitely, (I have kept it for up to 3 years), but I think it is best eaten within a year of making.

Can you freeze mincemeat?

Yes, mincemeat freezes really well. We recommend freezing mincemeat in smaller portions if possible, so you can easily remove the necessary fillings for your festive mince pies. But ultimately, if you’ve wrapped it well and protected it from freezer burn, your mincemeat should be good in the freezer for 3-4 months.

Why do they call it mincemeat?

The “mince” in mincemeat comes from the Middle English mincen, and the Old French mincier both traceable to the Vulgar Latin minutiare, meaning chop finely. The word mincemeat is an adaptation of an earlier term minced meat, meaning finely chopped meat. Meat was also a term for food in general, not only animal flesh.

Can I use butter as a substitute for suet?

If you’re in a pinch butter can be used to replace suet in Christmas pudding, but the final texture won’t be as good.

Do you cook mince pies before freezing?

Yes you can – both cooked mince pies and uncooked. If you want to freeze uncooked mince pies, leave them in well-greased or lined cake tins and put in your freezer. After a few hours, remove with a palette knife and stored in foil containers or in a sealed box or bag.

Do they eat mince pies in America?

Mince pies may have disappeared from the American table, but England, the ancestral home of the mince pie, is still mince pie nation, especially at holiday time.

How to cook mince pies?

Preheat the oven to gas mark 6, 400°F, 200°C. After that, divide the dough in half on a well-floured surface. How many mince pies you actually get depends on how thinly you roll the pastry. So roll it out as thinly as possible, then use the large cutter to cut out rounds.

How do you fill pastry with mincemeat?

Fill these with mincemeat to the level of the edges of the pastry. Dampen the edges of the smaller rounds of pastry with water and press them lightly into position to form lids, sealing the edges. Brush each one with milk and make three snips in the tops with a pair of scissors.

How many mince pies can you make with one pastry cutter?

How many mince pies you actually get depends on how thinly you roll the pastry. So roll it out as thinly as possible, then use the large cutter to cut out rounds. Place the cutter on the pastry and give it a sharp tap – don’t be tempted to twist at all.