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.
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
- Peel and chop your apples.
- Add your dried fruits, nuts and orange zest.
- 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.
- Measure and add in your spices.
- Add Brandy.
- 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.
- 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
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.
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.
Other Recipes you might like
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Recipe
Cranberry Mincemeat – Easy Mincemeat Recipe
Equipment
- jam pan or large saucepan
- jars (makes about 2 litres)
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
Nutrition
Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Cranberries are such a great addition to mincemeat. I love the little bursts of colour.
Me too! I also love how juicy it makes the mincemeat.
This is a really wonderful upgrade to a traditional mincemeat – the cranberries add such a lovely kick!
I agree. Cranberries are both a little tart but also so juicy.
Love this idea and think it’s well worth making your own mincemeat. Cranberries are the perfect addition, will definitely try this one.
I hope you enjoy making it.
Shocking that we are back to mincemeat season already… Where did the year go?
Loving the addition of the cranberries… They look like pretty jewels.
#cookblogshare
I feel the same but I’m so glad were in jumper weather again.