On the third day of Homemade Christmas, I made Mincemeat Bars to share and give away.
Mincemeat, what exactly is it? That is a question that I use to ask myself. I would see the jars at Christmas time and pass them by. Then last fall my tomatoes were still going strong and we had our first freeze warning. I picked all of my green tomatoes and went on a hunt for a way to use them and that is where I found my grandma’s recipe for green tomato mincemeat so, I made it. I was then left with my own jars of mincemeat that have been sitting collecting dust waiting for me to use.
What is Mincemeat?
Despite its name, mincemeat does not usually have meat in it. That was not always the case though. Originally mincemeat came about as a way to preserve meat without salt or smoking it. It has been around for centuries and the settlers brought it to America from England. Back then they would use whatever meat they had on hand such as, venison and rabbit to a crock with fruits, spices, and vinegar or alcohol. Today mincemeat is primarily fruits (raisins, apples, candied citrus) and spices with the occasional beef. Mincemeat is not as popular in the United States as it is in the United Kingdom but it can be found in grocery stores typically around Christmas or you can make your own.
After I made Green Tomato Mincemeat last fall I wasn’t sure how to use it. Eventually, I forgot that I had it until we moved. That is when I decided to take a look at my grandma’s recipes again and found a recipe for mincemeat bars.
What drew me to the recipe was that the filling was interchangeable and it was similar to recipes I used for 2 layer crisps. You have a bottom oatmeal crust and a top oatmeal crust. You can fill the middle with whatever filling you choose. If mincemeat is not for you then use cherry or apple pie filling. It will still be delicious.
In the end, I learned that I wasn’t a huge fan of mincemeat but my second son enjoyed it. I guess he got more of our families Brittish Isle genes. I would make these bars again anytime for him or any mincemeat loving friends.
Do you love mincemeat or have a friend that loves mincemeat? Give this recipe a try!
- ½ Cup Shortening or Butter
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1½ Cups Flour (All Purpose or Gluten Free All purpose), sifted
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Water
- 1½ Cup Oatmeal (quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats)
- 2 cups Mincemeat (or filling of your choice)
- Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9x13 baking pan
- In a bowl cream together shortening/butter and brown sugar.
- Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add oats and water and combine.
- Pat ½ of oatmeal mixture in greased 9x13 pan. Spread mincemeat over oatmeal mixture.
- Top with remaining oatmeal mix and pat firmly.
- Bake for 35 minutes.
Don’t Forget to check out the rest of our 12 Days of Homemade Christmas!
Click HERE for the 2018 Homemade Christmas list