Must remember to read recipes *properly*!

@ clareken

SIL made the Christmas cake, and stored it on top of the fridge. It was brought down to be fed. So BIL fed it, then all 4 of the children (mid to late teens) fed it as well. SIL came back to it, wrapped it and put it back on the fridge. When it was cut, it was lethal. BIL wouldn't let anyone who was driving have any, including the two on duty policemen, who had come to call about a school matter (BIL was caretaker of my secondary school, and lived on site.)

That is some recipe Maw and definitely one to try - hic-

Well, get you, Maw - the Hostesh with the Mostesh !

I didn’t add any brandy, there seemed to be quite a lot of liquid anyway.
But it looked fine and smelt gorgeous! 6 lbs, that should keep me and dh in mince pies for a week or two ??. Roll on 1st Dec when I make the first batch, though might just stretch that to Advent Sunday, 29th Nov.

Who cooks mincemeat?

Anyone who wants a decent product, it's the easiest thing in the world to make.

I did exactly the same thing the first time I made it, I think I added more brandy once it was cooled, maybe I used cherry brandy.
A friend once made a rice ring, way back in the 80s when they were the thing, she was horrified when she served it as it was inedibly hot, she couldn't understand, she'd followed a recipe. When she re-read the recipe she noticed that it said ' add Tabasco to taste and if you want it to look pink, use food colouring'. She'd used the Tabasco to get the pink colour.

MawB2 I've ordered the dried ingredients and the whisky so I can try that lovely recipe!
???

Good lord MawB2, must have taken ages typing that recipe out! It sounds amazing too ?

Brandy may have evaporated a bit more quickly with the oven heat than if added at room temperature. You have put me in mood for mincemeat pies now!

There is no such thing as too much alcohol in either a Christmas cake or a trifle! I love your recipe Maw !

Kathyd Thank you! I shall try to get everything next time I brave the supermarket.

I don't know what temperature a low oven would be but alcohol evaporates at 70 degrees C, so it may well be all gone. I would add the correct amount of brandy again, otherwise the mincemeat might not be preserved properly. I think the alcohol is what stops it going off.

nahsma

www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/christmas/special-mincemeat

allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/6334/homemade-mincemeat.aspx

You can still freeze and grate the butter.

My Mum who is 90 makes Delia's Mincemeat every year. She makes so many jars she gives lots away to family and friends. There will be no harm in adding more Brandy, I know she always adds extra anyway.

Defo add more later- you can't have too much booze in a Christmas cake.
Mind you if things go on as we fear you may have to eat it all yourselves!

MawB2 ????
Witzend Add some more-No question, that’s the way to go!

There are various versions of this so it must be a good recipe!
Christmas Cake Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup of water
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup of brown sugar
lemon juice
4 large eggs
nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Johnnie Walker
Instructions
Sample the Johnnie Walker to check quality.
Take a large bowl, check the whisky again. To be sure it is the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.
Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
Make sure the whisky is still OK. Try another cup.
Turn off the mixerer.
Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Mix on the turner.
If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the whisky to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who giveshz a shit.
Check the whisky. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar, or something. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven and piss in the fridge.
Turn the cake tin 350 defrees.
Don't forget to beat off the turner.
Throw the bowl through the f**king window.
Check the whisky again and go to bed.

Me, I cook my own mincemeat, I also use the Delia recipe. I also make my own mince pies. The family can't get enough of them.

My stepDD sent her husband out to buy Marsala, asked where it was in the supermarket, he was told "look in the curry aisle, mate" and when he said that it was kind of wine the response was "she's pulling your leg!"

Slosh away. I would.

Agree with Crazygranny, ‘too much brandy’ what is this alien concept?

Add more. I always add more brandy if I've had to use shop bought mincemeat.

There's no such thing as too much brandy! x