Mincemeat

225g peeled and grated cooking apple (about 1-2 apples depending on size)

25g chopped almonds

110g vegetarian suet or grated butter

150g raisins

110g sultanas 

110g currants

100g mixed peel

50g glacé cherries chopped 

175g soft dark brown sugar

2 teaspoon mixed spice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Zest and juice of an orange

Zest and juice of a lemon

3 tablespoons brandy

Mix everything together except for the brandy. Cover and leave for 24 hours

Cover bowl with foil and put in oven at 120 C for 3 hours. Can also be done at low heat in a slow cooker for 3 hours.

Leave until cold and keep stirring as the fat will be on the top. When cold stir in the brandy and put into sterilised jam jars. Spoon a little more brandy on the top of each jar

Makes 3 jars

1 jar mincemeat makes about 16 mince pies

Can add/ use other dried fruits eg cranberry, sour cherry, apricot etc

2024 added 4 balls stem ginger, 1 teaspoon ground ginger and some ginger syrup