Winter is often synonymous with family baking time and our family is no different. My cousin Joan and I recently got together for some family bonding and baking. The recipe of the day was Aunt Edith’s famous Swedish mincemeat cookies. Although mincemeat is most commonly associated with England, it’s also common in Swedish baking.
Mincemeat cookies are particularly popular in winter, but you can enjoy these fruity, nutty treats all year long.
What Is Mincemeat?
Whenever we offer one of these delicious cookies to someone who’s not in the know, their first response is usually: “Meat? This cookie has meat?” It seems even carnivores balk at the idea of meat in their sweet treats. But fear not. These cookies contain no meat or meat products.
Mincemeat is a mixture of minced, dried fruits (such as apples, sultanas, raisins, and currants) and spices (such as cinnamon, coriander, dill, fennel, cloves, nutmeg, and cassia).
Mincemeat recipes dating from the 16th century did contain meat products or suet but modern versions do not, making them suitable for vegetarians. You can also make this recipe vegan by using a vegan substitute for the eggs.
Where to Find Mincemeat for Your Mincemeat Cookies
We used Robertson’s Classic Mincemeat in our cookies, but you can also make your own mincemeat. One of my favorite chefs and authors, David Lebovitz has a quick, yet delicious mincemeat recipe if you prefer to make your own.
Looking for some other desserts? Check out our French Chocolate Soufflé or Cherry Clafoutis French Custard Dessert.
Swedish Mincemeat Cookies
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 beaten eggs
- 3 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup mincemeat
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Thoroughly combine butter and sugar.
- Beat eggs; add to butter and sugar mixture.
- Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Add 1/2 sifted dry ingredients to creamed mixture.
- Add finely crumbled mincemeat and water. Stir until blended.
- Add nuts and remaining flour mixture; mix well.
- Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet.
- Bake approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Notes
- Mixing by hand yields the best results.
- If consistency is too dry, you can add more water.
Nutrition
14 comments
Yes at first I was like “meat in my sweets?” Especially since some countries call any meat that is ground, “mince”. I was scared but so glad it is fruits and spices!!!
Growing up we always had a mincemeat pie for the holidays. I have never had cookies made with it but I did love that pie so I bet these cookies are just as tasty.
I love how much fruit you can get in these cookies – that’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy dried fruit. i’m going to try them with a gluten-free flour and assume they’ll be great!
Beth, yes, I think these should be good with gluten-free flour. I’ve used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour before with good results. I will add this suggestion to the article.
These look fantastic, I will be trying this recipe out soon!!
It does make me giggle because I would never eat minced meat when I was a child for the same reason. I have grown to appreciate it and love this recipe!
We love these cookies. They are so full of fruits and nuts!
I have never had these cookies before. I had heard good things so I decided to go for it. I really liked them. They are so different and just bursting with all these great flavors.
The best cookies around! the fruit inside is so good!
Mincemeat reminds me of my grandma! She loved a good mincemeat pie during the holidays. I will make this soon in memory of her!
I love English mince pies which are a traditional Christmas treat! These Swedish mincemeat cookies sound fabulous. Love that the mincemeat is incorporated in the cookie dough! One to try!
Never heard cookies with mince meat. SOmething new to me. Looks delicious.
These cookies look so delicious I could totally smell them from here! I’m a big fan of walnuts and mincemeat so I’m sure they taste as good as they look!
Just made these cookies. At a heaping teaspoon the recipe made about 80 cookies, and baking time was 15min. Cake-like cookie. Tasty!!!