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Mincemeat Cookie Bars
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- #23636
serves/makes:
ready in:
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
6 reviews
ingredients
1 1/2 cup flour
1 3/4 cup rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup prepared mincemeat
directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13" x 9" baking pan. Combine the flour, oats, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in the vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Spread half of the dough evenly in the bottom of prepared pan. Spread mincemeat over the top, and spread remaining dough over the mincemeat. Press down lightly.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly, then cut into bars and transfer to wire rack to cool.
added by
raisin
recipe tips
Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with the sugar.
When pressing the dough into the pan, use a piece of parchment paper or a spatula to get an even layer without sticking.
For a festive twist, add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
To get clean cuts, use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts.
Serve these bars with a dusting of powdered sugar on top for added sweetness and a festive look.
common recipe questions
Can I use homemade mincemeat for this recipe?
Yes, homemade mincemeat can definitely be used (and it will probably make these yummy bars even better!).
Is there a substitute for mincemeat if I don’t have any?
You can use fruit preserves or pie filling as a substitute, though the flavor will be different.
How do I store these bars?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate to extend their shelf life.
Can these bars be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
What type of oats work best for this recipe, quick-cooking or old-fashioned?
Old-fashioned oats are preferable for their texture, but quick-cooking oats can also be used.
Is it necessary to use light brown sugar?
Light brown sugar is recommended for its flavor, but dark brown sugar can be used.
tools needed
Baking Pan (9x13-inch): For baking the mincemeat cookie bars. It should be lightly greased to prevent sticking.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: For measuring ingredients like flour, oats, baking powder, and mincemeat.
Mixing Bowls: One for creaming the butter and sugar and one for mixing the dry ingredients.
Electric Mixer: For creaming the butter and brown sugar.
Spatula: For spreading the dough evenly in the baking pan and for folding in ingredients. Also helpful for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.
Toothpick: For testing the doneness of the cookie bars.
Cooling Rack: Allows the cookie bars to cool evenly after being removed from the baking pan.
what goes with it?
Coffee: Serve the cookie bars with a cup of freshly brewed coffee; the warmth and slight bitterness of the coffee enhance the sweetness of the mincemeat.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Top the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess balances the dense texture of the bars.
Spiced Whipped Cream: Use a spiced whipped cream as a topping. The cinnamon and nutmeg in the whipped cream will complement the spices in the mincemeat.
Cheese Platter: Pair the cookie bars with a selection of cheeses, such as sharp cheddar or creamy brie. The saltiness of the cheese creates an interesting contrast to the sweetness of the bars.
Tea: Enjoy with a cup of herbal tea, particularly one infused with spices like chai.
Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars before serving. The richness of chocolate complements the fruity mincemeat.
Crumble Topping: Serve the bars crumbled as a topping over yogurt. This creates a layered dessert with the creaminess of yogurt and the sweetness of the mincemeat.
nutrition data
Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.
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reviews & comments
May 31, 2020
It was similar to the bar cookie with cooked dates in the middle. I had a jar of mincemeat left from the holidays, so was happy to use it. I had my young grandchildren help make these. It was so much fun! These cookies are delicious!
December 10, 2017
Made this with gluten free all purpose flour and 1 1/2 tsp zantham. Used about 2 cups mincemeat. Turned out GREAT!
May 20, 2016
My mother made these cookies every Christmas and whenever I could coerce her to do so. She rolled out the top on parchment paper with a light flour dusting, rolled it up, and unrolled it on the mincemeat. These are an acquired taste for kids but great for those of us with early exposure. AS for my self, it's been around 65 years, so, I'm very lucky. Good Luck
January 18, 2016
One cup of prepared mincemeat is not enough to cover the bottom crust. I used 2 cups.
December 2, 2013
I agree about the dough not being really spreadable. What I ended up doing for the top layer was sort of rolling it out and placing it on top of the mincemeat and then using my fingers pressed it into a full layer. It worked, but it was more work than I had anticipated for simple bar cookies.
January 17, 2006
Tasty but a bit heavy. I was looking for a recipe similar to this one but the topping should have resembled a crumble and in this one it was a bit heavier than expected. The mixture to be spread on top and bottom were quite doughy in consistency which was fine for the bottom but difficult to spread OVER the mincemeat. perhaps halving the recipe for the mixture and using it only on the bottom with a drier crumble (less butter) on top would have provided me with better results.