Mincemeat Cornucopias Recipes

Steps:

• Combine cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a bowl. Reserve 1 heaped teaspoon for the mincemeat. Store the rest in a small jar for a later use.
• Inspect two 12-ounce jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until mincemeat is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Combine apple, sultanas, sugar, currants, raisins, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over low heat and stir gently until butter has melted. Stir in chopped almonds, orange zest, 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set mincemeat aside to cool down for 30 minutes. Stir in brandy. Spoon into sterilized jars.

Steps:

• Beat butter and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour with a wooden spoon. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill about 1 hour or until easy to handle.
• roll each portion of dough on a lightly floured surface until 1/8 inch thick. Cut into circles with a floured 2-1/2-inchcookie cutter. Place circles on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• For filling, Stir together mincemeat, orange juice, and remaining 1 teaspoon orange peel. place about 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of each circle. Moisten the edge of each circle with a little water. Bring up two adjacent edges of dough and pinch and seal, forming a cornucopia.
• Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool. makes about 48.

Steps:

• Put the peeled and grated Bramley apples, light muscovado sugar and the zest and juice of the orange and lemon into a large bowl with the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice, mixed dried fruit and brandy. Stir in the grated unsalted butter or shredded suet and ground almonds. Transfer to jars or containers. Keep in the fridge, unopened, for up to three months or in the freezer for up to six months.

Steps:

• Soak the raisins and currants in the brandy and lemon juice for 1 hr until plumped up, then drain and set the brandy aside. Mix all the ingredients together in the order given, then pour in the brandy when everything else is well mixed. Spoon and press into sterilised jars, to exclude any air (the easiest way to sterilise jars is to run them through a dishwasher on its hottest setting). Cover and leave for at least a fortnight. Will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.