Cranberry Mincemeat – Easy Mincemeat Recipe

Making your own cranberry mincemeat for mince pies at Christmas is so easy. This luxury mincemeat recipe mixes together beautiful flavours of fresh apple, dried fruit, brandy, nuts, and fresh cranberries (dried cranberries work too).

Based on a traditional mincemeat recipe this recipe works not only for mincepies but makes a great Christmas gift too. Plus as a bonus mincemeat can last for years when placed in steralised jars and kept somewhere cool and dark.

cranberry mincemeat in the jam pan with apple and suet

There are few things more Christmassy than mincemeat, it’s delicious, and goes well with pastries, cake or even as a classic mince pie. Adding cranberries to your mincemeat is a great way to up the festive feel and turn your classic mincemeat recipe into a luxury mincemeat recipe.

Why you’ll love this cranberry mincemeat recipe

This is a great last minute mincemeat recipe, it’s quick to whip up and can then be used for all your last minute mincemeat recipe needs.

Mincemeat can also be made so far in advance so you can get loads of Christmas prep done early.

Adding brandy, nuts and dried cranberries to your makes this a luxury mincemeat recipe. Adding decadence to your Christmas pastries.

It’s a great simple recipe to have in your collection, you can use it for all your recipes using mincemeat.

This take on atraditional mincemeat recipe makes a great gift!

Making Cranberry Mincemeat – Top Questions

What is mincemeat?
What is traditional mincemeat made of?
How long will homemade mincemeat keep?
Does homemade mincemeat need to be refrigerated?
What is suet in mincemeat?
Can mince pie mincemeat be vegan?
Can you keep homemade mincemeat for a year?
What is the difference between mincemeat and mince pie?

Cranberry Mincemeat Ingredients

For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

MIXED DRIED FRUIT

Luxury mincemeat wouldn’t be mincemeat without the wonderful flavours of mixed dried fruits. I love using raisins, sultanas and currents with a little orange zest. The citrus zest gives your cranberry mincemeat a freshness and blends all your dried fruits together really well.

What makes this atraditional mincemeat recipe is the mix of dried fruit.

APPLES

There are few things more Christmassy than cooked apples with cinnamon. The flavours are warm, and festive and work perfectly with the dried fruits and cranberry.

SPICES

All your favourite winter spices rolled into one wonderful mincemeat recipe. You can adapt the spices so you can make many recipes using mincemeat. For this recipe, I use varying amounts of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger.

ATORA

Aurora is pre-shredded suet. Most recipes call for the suet to be shredded in order to be used. This is my favourite brand of shredded suet, it’s easy to use and works perfect for this cranberry orange mincemeat recipe.

BRANDY

Festive spirits, brandy is the perfect addition to your luxury mincemeat recipe. It’s a rich flavour and helps to blend all the flavours from this traditional mincemeat recipe.

CRANBERRIES

Fresh or frozen, cranberries are the key ingredients to my mincemeat recipe. They a wonderful pop of red to the mix and offer a tart taste. Cranberries make this mincemeat a luxury mincemeat.

ORANGES

Orange cranberry mincemeat is such a beautiful combination. I’ve added orange to the recipe. It adds even more of a rich Christmassy flavour. The orange really adds an extra flavour to the finished mincemeat. The smell is also incredible!

How to make cranberry mincemeat – step by step

fresh apple being sliced up for the cranberry mincemeat
dried fruit for the cranberry mincemeat
  • Peel and chop your apples.
  • Add your dried fruits, nuts and orange zest.
fresh cranberries on a fruit and suet mix
  • Next up, time to add your chopped almonds and your cranberries.
  • Add your washed glacial cherries.
  • Now add your dark brown sugar and shredded suet.
adding brandy to the dried fruit
  • Measure and add in your spices.
  • Add Brandy.
cranberry mincemeat being mixed together.
glossy and sweet cranberry mincemeat being cooked
  • Stir until fully combined.
  • Warm on medium heat and cook for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes to make sure it’s all gorgeously mushing together. 
cranberry mincemeat being added to jars for christmas gifts
cranberry mincemeat in a tall glass jar
  • Spoon out your cooled mincemeat into sterilised mason jars.
  • Get ready to enjoy your luxury mincemeat!

Cranberry Mincemeat Top Tips

Adding chopped almonds to your mincemeat is a great way to add a little sweetness to the luxury mincemeat.

Be sure to stir your mincemeat mix regularly this helps the flavours combine and stop it from sticking.

If you use frozen cranberries, be sure to defrost them before mixing them into the mincemeat. This stops the added moisture from making your mincemeat too sticky.

Serving Suggestions

Mincemeat can be used in a number of recipes. These are my favourite recipes using mincemeat:

Mincemeat Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

Easy Mincemeat Swirls

Mincemeat Cake

Filo Pastry Mince Pies

And of course, we couldn’t forget the classic mince pie!

If you would like more mincemeat inspiration check out my recipe round-up of Christmas recipes using mincemeat.

My take on the traditional mincemeat recipe is the mix of fruits and spices so they work so well with pastry in all ways, cakes, loaves and so much more. The flavour of the mincemeat is all the flavouring you will need.

Equipment

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Cranberry Mincemeat Substitutions and variations

VEGAN MINCEMEAT

You can swap out the suet for a vegan alternative to make this luxury mincemeat vegan friendly and vegetarian friendly too.

If you are looking for a vegan recipe for mincemeat, try my slow cooker mincemeat recipe.

NUTFREE MINCEMEAT

It is easy to make nut-free by removing the nuts from the recipe.

Storing / Making ahead of time options

This recipe for luxury mincemeat with cranberries lasts for years so can be made so far in advance. You can use this cranberry orange mincemeat every year, so long as you pop it in a sterilised jar that’s well sealed.

This can be made in advance or made as a last minute mincemeat recipe. It only takes about an hour to make from start to finish so can be whipped up quickly.

close up of cranberry mincemeat in jam pan

FAQS

What is mincemeat?

Mincemeat is a festive ingredient used in mince pies, made from chopped fruits and nuts, spirits and often beef suet. It’s rich, sticky and perfect for pastry.

This traditional mincemeat recipe combines the wonderful spices and fruity flavours with glossy cranberries to make an epic (if I say so myself) mincemeat.

What is traditional mincemeat made of?

Traditional mincemeat is made from suet, chopped nuts, dried fruits and a spirit, usually brandy. You then cook the mixture for about an hour, stirring every few minutes until warm, combined, juicy and delicious.

How long will homemade mincemeat keep?

Homemade mincemeat will last for years. If well preserved you can use it every year, mincemeat keeps well. I would say to enjoy it within 2 years but I’ve got some older mincemeat in my pantry which is still perfectly useable.

Does homemade mincemeat need to be refrigerated?

No, mincemeat does not need to be refrigerated due to the high level of sugars and fats in the recipe. You will want to keep your mincemeat in a cool dark cupboard. Once your jar is opened it’s best to keep the mincemeat in the fridge as it will last longer.

What is suet in mincemeat?

Suet is the raw fat of certain animals melted down and then shredded. Making it easier to use in recipes like this. Suet in mincemeat is used to combine all the elements.

It sounds weird but it adds a lot of flavour.

Can mince pie mincemeat be vegan?

Yes, mince pie mincemeat can be vegan, simply do not use the beef suet but change it for vegan suet. Or you can use my vegan mincemeat recipe.

Can you keep homemade mincemeat for a year?

Yes, you can keep homemade mincemeat for a year. Due to the level of fats and sugars your homemade mincemeat will last for years. You can make it way ahead of time. Mincemeat is the perfect make-ahead preserve for winter.

What is the difference between mincemeat and mince pie?

The difference between mincemeat and a mince pie is that mincemeat is the filling used within a mince pie. A mince pie is traditionally a shortcrust pastry filled with mincemeat.

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Recipe

Cranberry Mincemeat – Easy Mincemeat Recipe

Sisley White
Making your own cranberry mincemeat for mince pies at Christmas is so easy. This luxury mincemeat recipe mixes together beautiful flavours of fresh apple, dried fruit, brandy, nuts, and fresh cranberries (dried cranberries work too).
Based on a traditional mincemeat recipe this recipe works not only for mince pies but makes a great Christmas gift too. Plus as a bonus mincemeat can last for years when placed in sterilised jars and kept somewhere cool and dark.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Preserves
Cuisine British, English
Servings 2 litres
Calories 3585 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

Fruit & Nuts

  • 500 g (1 lb) apples (eating or cooking apples both work. A mix is nice but I often use just eating apples)
  • 2 (2) lemons (zest and juice)
  • 2 (2) oranges (zest and juice)
  • 300 g fresh cranberries (or you can use dried or frozen but allow to defrost first)
  • 800 g (2 lb) mixed dried fruit (normally a mix of sultanas, currants, raisins, orange peel and lemon peel)
  • 40 g (1 â…– oz) candied peel (only add if your mixed fruit doesn't have it inside the mix)
  • 100 g (3 ½ oz) glace cherries
  • 50 g (1 ¾ oz) chopped almonds

Spices

  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) ground ginger
  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) grated nutmeg
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) ground cloves

Store cupboard

  • 250 g (1 cups) suet (I used Atora brand)
  • 225 g (1 cups) dark brown sugar

Alcohol

  • 175 ml (¾ cups) brandy

Optional Extras

  • 100 g (3 ½ oz) dried apricots
  • 60 g (2 â…› oz) preserved ginger in syrup (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Peel, core and finely chop the apples. Put them in a large jam pan or saucepan.
  • Add in the dried mixed fruit (and candied peel if your mixed fruit doesn't have it in it).
  • Stir in the chopped almonds.
  • Add in the cranberries and glace cherries.
  • Add the dark brown soft sugar.
  • Add in the suet.
  • Zest and juice the oranges and limes. Stir it into the mix.
  • Measure out and add all the spices.
  • Add the brandy and give it all a really good stir.
  • (Optional) Remove the preserved ginger from the syrup then chop it up along with the apricots and add to the mix.
  • Put the saucepan/ jam pan on a medium heat and cook for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes to make sure it's all gorgeously mushing together. It will smell incredible. The mix will look very fatty but that is how it is meant to look.
  • While the mincemeat is cooking, prepare and sterilise the jars are you going to use to store it. (Check out the notes below for how to sterilise them.)
  • After an hour, give it a good stir and gently pour the cranberry mincemeat mix into the jars. Add the lids and allow them to cool. The jars will be really hot so be careful. It will take a few hours for it to cool completely.

Video

Notes

•The mincemeat will last in its jar for about 3 years or so when kept unopened in a dark cool place. It is a perfect pantry item.
•Makes great gifts and can be used in a range of Christmas dishes.
•Created 2 litres of mincemeat.
•To steralise the jars give them a good hot soapy wash, rinse well and then place them in the oven at 140ºC/ 284ºF for 10 minutes. They should be completely dry and still hot when you add the mincemeat to them. This will stop them from breaking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 3585kcalCarbohydrates: 562gProtein: 26gFat: 136gSaturated Fat: 67gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 48gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 122mgPotassium: 4475mgFiber: 66gSugar: 438gVitamin A: 2398IUVitamin C: 165mgCalcium: 979mgIron: 13mg

Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

Keyword Slow Cooker, Slow Cooker Mincemeat, Vegan Mince Pie Filling, vegan mince pies, vegan mincemeat
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