Cranberry Studded Mincemeat by Nigella Lawson
Bursting with festive flavors, Nigella Lawson's Cranberry Studded Mincemeat is a modern twist on a classic holiday staple. This recipe combines the tart brightness of fresh and dried cranberries with the richness of sultanas, currants, and warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Sweetened with dark brown sugar and honey, and elevated by fresh citrus zest and a splash of brandy, this luxurious mix is both aromatic and deeply flavorful. Perfect for traditional mince pies or other holiday desserts, it’s made even better by its quick preparation time and the option to use vegetarian suet. Packed into sterilized jars, this homemade mincemeat can mature for weeks, intensifying its fruity, spiced essence—making it an essential addition to your festive pantry.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 g Fresh cranberries
- 125 g Soft dark brown sugar
- 50 g Dried cranberries
- 100 g Sultanas
- 100 g Currants
- 75 g Shredded suet (vegetarian or traditional)
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp Ground cloves
- 0.5 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1 orange Zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 lemon Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 75 ml Brandy
- 60 ml Honey
Instructions
Place the fresh cranberries and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
Stir occasionally and let the cranberries pop and soften, about 10–15 minutes.
Reduce the heat and gently mash some of the cranberries with a spoon to create a jam-like consistency.
Remove from heat and stir in the dried cranberries, sultanas, currants, and shredded suet.
Add the ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, mixing well to evenly distribute the spices.
Zest the orange and lemon directly into the saucepan. Add the orange and lemon juices and stir to combine.
Pour in the brandy and honey, mixing until everything is combined and glossy.
Transfer the mixture to sterilized jars, pressing down to eliminate air pockets. Seal tightly.
Allow the mincemeat to mature for at least 2 weeks in a cool, dark place before using in your holiday baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2462 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 74.2 g | 95% | |
| Saturated Fat | 39.6 g | 198% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 122 mg | 5% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 424.2 g | 154% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.4 g | 98% | |
| Total Sugars | 353.1 g | ||
| Protein | 10.9 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 368 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 2291 mg | 49% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
