A lovely, crumbly, biscuity slice with a layer of fruity mincemeat and apple in the centre. Perfect with a cup of tea, or warm with cream for dessert. Delicious!
This recipe is based on one my Mum has been making for years. The only difference is that she makes it in the summer with a filling of strawberry jam and fresh strawberries. A couple of years ago I had the idea to create a winter version using grated apple and fruit mincemeat. Here’s the result and it is super delicious! YUM!
Too many mince pies
I actually baked this back in December, when I couldn’t face making yet another tray of mince pies. But it strikes me that it would be a great way to use up any half-finished jars of mincemeat you have lurking in the fridge. The recipe is pretty forgiving, so if you don’t have quite enough mincemeat you could bolster it with jam or marmalade, or more apple, or whatever comes to hand.
The finished texture is quite biscuity, rather than cakey, which I quite like. It’s very good in thin slices, with a cup of tea. Just don’t be too tempted to dunk, as I was. It collapsed into my cup and I had to fish the soggy remains out with a spoon. Oops.
Also for dessert
I also discovered that a thicker slice, warmed in the microwave and served with cream or custard, makes a very acceptable dessert.
You could probably kid yourself that the apple in this means it’s a healthy option, but to be honest, if you’re spending January in detox mode, probably best to postpone making this. Just as well mincemeat seems to keep in the fridge indefinitely! Put this easy and delicious mincemeat slice on the list for next month.
Makes one loaf, which probably cuts into around 12 slices – depending on how thickly (or otherwise) you slice them.
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📖 Recipe
Mincemeat & apple shortcake slice
Ingredients
- 115 g butter or margarine
- 115 g caster sugar
- 1 egg
- 225 g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 apple
- 5-6 tablespoon mincemeat (approx. ½ a standard jar)
- 1-2 teaspoon demerara sugar – optional
- 1-2 teaspoon flaked almonds – optional
Instructions
- 115 g (½ cups) butter or margarine, 115 g (1 cups) caster sugar, 1 egg, 225 g (1 ⅘ cups) plain flour, 1 teaspoon baking powderCream the butter and sugar together until pale. Beat in the egg then fold in the flour and baking powder to give a soft dough. Divide the dough into two balls, wrap in clingfilm, and put one in the fridge and one in the freezer.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a loaf tin with baking parchment and set aside.
- 1 appleRemove the core from the apple and grate the rest into a bowl.
- Remove the ball of dough from the fridge. Unwrap and press into the bottom of the prepared loaf tin. Squash down with your knuckles into an even layer.
- 5-6 tablespoon mincemeatSpread the mincemeat over, then sprinkle with the grated apple.
- Remove the dough from the freezer. Either grate it over the top, or else squash it into a rectangle the same size as the tin (easiest between two sheets of parchment) and place over the filling.
- 1-2 teaspoon demerara sugar – optional, 1-2 teaspoon flaked almonds – optionalSprinkle over the demerara sugar and almonds, if using, and bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for around 45 minutes until risen and golden.
- Allow to cool in the tin, then remove, slice and serve!
Nutrition
Making your own mincemeat
If you live in a place where ready-made mincemeat is hard to come by, you could try making your own. You’ll find all the information and instructions in this recipe for last minute Chanukah mince pies with kiddush wine mincemeat.
More delicious recipes using fruit mincemeat
If you loved this shortcake slice, you’ll probably also enjoy:
I’m entering this delicious fruity bake into this month’s Love Cake challenge over at JibberJabber, which is on the theme of Feeling Fruity.
Since it enabled me to use up half a jar of mincemeat, this recipe has to go in the No Waste Food Challenge, hosted this month by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary.
And finally, I’m entering it in Casa Costello’s Bake of the Week.
Kathy Minckler
Your comments about the healthy option CrAcKeD me up!
Helen
LOL! Thanks!
Janice
What a great idea, I love to see well-tried family favourites. You always know they are going to be good.
Helen
Thanks Janice. And thanks for the reminder that I need to make this tried-and-tested favourite again soon!
Elizabeth
This is proper winter comfort cake, this is! Love it! Thank you for sharing with the no waste food challenge 🙂
FFF
Thanks Elizabeth. And thanks for hosting!
nessjibberjabberuk
I love mincemeat and bought several jars at 5p recently. I’ll have to show this to my husband as he’s a mincement fiend too! Thanks for linking up.
FFF
Someone else mentioned 5p mincemeat recently – I guess the supermarkets really want rid of their spare stock! I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on any…
Helen at Casa Costello
Oh wow, these flavours sound amazing – You are one of my featured Bakes of the Week – Thanks so much for joining in x
FFF
Thanks Helen 🙂 Super-chuffed to have been picked!
fabfood4all
Wow, I have never seen a shortbread slice before – it reminds me of a Veinnese Whirl which I love:-) Thank you for your fabulous thrifty entry to #CreditCrunchMunch:-)
FFF
You need to thank my Mum – it was her recipe!
isabellasewell1
Love this, looks so comforting – and what a great use for that annoying end of jar mincemeat! Must remember not to dunk it into tea…
FFF
Yes, although a spoonful of soggy mincemeaty crumbs wasn’t so bad 🙂 Just remember not to swig the last mouthful – ugh!
Laura
This looks wonderful. I’ve collected a lot of recipes that will use up mincemeat but this is definitely one of my favourites =)
FFF
Thanks Laura! There are so many lovely ways of using mincemeat – it’s a wonder everyone sticks to pies in December!
Kevin Chambers-Paston
Oooh. I have loads of homemade mincemeat left from Christmas and I MUST try this. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
FFF
Thanks Kevin – let me know how it turns out!
The Free From Fairy
Ah thank you so very much for linking to my mincemeat recipe. You have really made my day! If I hadn’t just used up the last of it in an apple and mincemeat layered crumble I would have tried your recipe out. It looks and sounds delicious!
FFF
My pleasure – your mincemeat looks LUSH 🙂
munchiesandmunchkins
Ah great idea for leftover mincemeat. I have a few jars of homemade left lurking!
FFF
Thanks! I think it’s law that you have to make/buy too many jars 🙂
decabbit
Oh gosh this looks absolutely fantastic! I have to admit that it would have never occurred to me to use mincemeat like this – FAB!
FFF
Thanks! It only occurred to me because I couldn’t face another mince pie 🙂