1 9-Ounce Package 1/3 Cup Raisins -Condensed Mincemeat* 3 Cups Flour 3/4 Cup Coffee, Cold 1 Cup Shortening 3/4 Cup Water 6 Tablespoons Water 2 Teaspoons Brandy 1/2 Teaspoon Salt -Or Grand Marnier, Optional Maraschino Cherries, Halved 1 Apple, Diced (No Need To Peel)
Put mincemeat, coffee, 3/4 cup water, apple, raisins and brandy into saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until quite thick. Place in refrigerator to cool. May be done the day before.
*To substitute Ready-to-Use Mincemeat (Classic Original with Apples & Raisins NOT Brandy and Rum): Omit 3/4 Cup Water. Use 1 1/3 Cup (1/2 of a 27-Ounce Jar) Reconstituted Mincemeat for 1 9-Ounce Package Condensed Mincemeat. Boil all ingredients 2 minutes and then reduce heat and simmer until of proper consistancy.
Note: This recipe is really much better using the condensed mincemeat, but the condensed form is being stocked less in favor of the ready-to-use variety (which has added corn syrup). I suggest increasing the amount of brandy and the strength of the coffee to overcome this limitation.- April Ferre
Make basic pie crust with flour, shortening, water and salt. Roll out dough. Form tarts using approximately 1 tablespoon filling for each tart. Seal well. Cut an "X" in the center of each tart to vent and insert a half of a maraschino cherry. Bake in a 350-375 degree oven until crust is golden. Sprinkle with granulated sugar when cool.
Recipe - Calla Stacker
"In 2010, I finally got a chance to Bridget's Christmas Time Cookie Swap Party. While these aren't quite cookies, they are about the right size and something I knew that no one else would make and that most probably never even tasted before. So for the first time, I attempted to make these on my own. My grandmother traditionally made for us every year at Thanksgiving or Christmas, but in recent years she hasn't been able to make them, since they are quite a bit of work. Well, one night I embarked on a mission to make 8 dozen mincemeat tarts; 6 1/2 hours later I had made 125 tarts for the party!" - April Ferre
"These have always been a holiday favorite it our house. Originally, my Mom made these as mincemeat pie, but she found that having both mincemeat and pumpkin pie was too much. So she started making these as tarts so that you could have a little of each. After that, the tarts were requested every year. Now Mom is not always up to standing and making them, so thank goodness we have the recipe to continue the tradition." - Calla Ferre
