My Authentic None Such Mincemeat Pie Recipe: Bring Back the Tradition

Prepared with a delicious mincemeat mixture, crunchy pecans, fresh apples, and dried figs, this pie is a complete dish, which can be served as an entree alone or accompanied by a green salad, as a hearty main course.

The delectable filling is made with a blend of fruits, spices, and brandy, then encased in a buttery and flaky pie crust. This mincemeat pie is meant to impress.

The None Such mincemeat pie copycat recipe can be made quickly and easily, even by novice cooks. In addition, you can experiment with ingredients and combinations you like the most to make a tasty and filling meal.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• My None Such Mincemeat Pie Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Ready-to-use mincemeat — 14 oz.
• Pecan nuts — 1 ½ cups
• Red apple — 1 pc.
• Dried figs — ½ cup
• Brandy — ¼ cup
• Brown sugar — ¼ cup
• Lemon zest — 2 tsp.
• Pie crust — 2 pcs.

Instructions

1. Finely chop the pecan nuts, apples, and dried figs.

2. Combine the mincemeat, pecans, apple, figs, brandy, sugar, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Refrigerate the filling mixture for a minimum of 8 hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 425°F and place the oven rack in the bottom position.

4. To prepare the pie crust, follow the instructions given in the package.

5. Transfer the filling to a pie baking pan lined with the crust.

6. Pour the filling into a pie baking pan lined with pie crust. Position the second crust over the filling, then firmly pinch the edges to fuse the two crusts into a sealed whole.

7. Bake until the top of the pie turns golden brown, which should take around 40-45 minutes.

8. Once finished baking, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool down completely before slicing.

Substitutions

• Ready-to-use mincemeat — The mixture used to make ready-to-use mincemeat typically includes diced fruits like apples, raisins, currants, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It may also contain meat, such as beef. If you're looking for a substitute for ready-to-use mincemeat, you can make your homemade mincemeat by combining your preferred fruits (both fresh and dried), spices, and optionally, cooked ground meat.

• Pecan nuts — Pecan nuts are used in this recipe to add a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. If you're searching for an alternative to pecans, you could opt for other nuts with similar texture and taste such as walnuts or almonds.

• Apple — Chopped red apple adds a fruity flavor to the dish and also balances the pie filling. Pears, quinces, and cranberries can be used as replacements for apples.

• Brandy — Brandy adds a fruity and slightly sweet taste to the pie. Instead of brandy, you may use rum or bourbon. However, remember that the taste may not be the same as our recipe.

• Brown sugar — The brown sugar in the mincemeat pie adds a sweet, caramel-like taste while balancing the other ingredients' tastes in the filling. If you want an alternative to brown sugar, consider using coconut sugar, maple syrup, or agave syrup. The sweetener selection relies on your taste.

Variations

• Add flavor — Don’t hesitate to add your favorite herbs, like thyme or rosemary for an elevated flavor.

• Add texture — Sprinkle the top with sesame seeds before baking to add a unique texture.

• Make it vegan — To ensure that your pie is vegan, it is crucial to verify the label or ingredient list of a specific brand or product to confirm whether it contains meat, as some premade mincemeat jars may still include it.

• Gluten-free — For a gluten-free pie, you can substitute a regular pie crust with a gluten-free one or make your crust with gluten-free ingredients. Double-check all the ingredients in the mincemeat to ensure it is gluten-free.

• Alcohol-free — Incorporating non-alcoholic options like apple juice concentrate or pear juice concentrate, instead of brandy, in the pie filling mixture is a great idea.

Equipment

• Measuring spoons and cups

• Knife

• Cutting board

• Medium-sized bowl

• Oven

• Oven rack

• Baking pan

Storage

• Allow the pie to cool down completely before storing it.

• Store it at room temperature by covering it with plastic wrap or foil or placing it in an airtight container if you plan to eat it in a maximum of 2 days. However, storing the pie at room temperature may cause it to dry out.

• Cover the mincemeat pie with plastic wrap or foil and put it in the fridge. This will ensure its freshness for up to 3-4 days.

• You can freeze the mincemeat pie if you want to store it longer. Wrap it with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. The pie can remain fresh for up to 3-4 months if frozen. To thaw the pie, refrigerate it overnight or leave it at room temperature for a few hours.

Pro Tips

• Regardless of the type of pie crust used, keep it in the refrigerator before use and handle it as quickly as possible.

• Make sure the filling mixture has the right consistency. It must not be too liquid because it will soften the dough.

• When making the pie, it is essential to create openings on the top crust to allow the steam that forms during baking to escape. Otherwise, it can cause the filling to become soggy and the crust to become too soft. You can use a sharp knife to create several small cuts or slits on the top of the pie crust to achieve this. Make sure the cuts are evenly spaced and not too close together.

• For a golden color of the pie crust, brush the top with beaten egg yolk before baking.