Mincemeat cake recipe

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This mincemeat cake is the perfect festive bake for those who prefer biscuit and cake over pastry.

mincemeat cake
(Image credit: Future)
Serves12
SkillEasy
Preparation Time15 mins
Cooking Time50 mins
Cost RangeCheap
Nutrition Per PortionRDA
Calories419 Kcal21%
Sugars27.9 g31%
Saturated Fat9.7 g49%
Protein5.8 g12%
Fat21.8 g31%
Carbohydrates48.4 g19%

Our mincemeat cake has six key ingredients and only takes 20 minutes to prepare. 

The crumble topping on our mincemeat cake is enriched with flaked almonds. They become toasted after baking and have a wonderful rich flavour. This cake is a wonderful alternative to mince pies and could be served warm as a dessert with some thick double cream or brandy butter. 

Ingredients

  • 300g (10oz) plain flour
  • 200g (7oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 100g packet ground almonds
  • 100g (31/2oz) caster sugar
  • Pinch Salt
  • 410g jar mincemeat
  • 50g (13/4oz) flaked almonds
  • Icing sugar for dusting

WEIGHT CONVERTER

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Method

  1. Set the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Line a 18 x 28cm (7 x 11in) traybake tin.
  2. Tip the flour into the bowl of a food processor and add the cubed butter, ground almonds, caster sugar and salt. Whizz the mixture until it starts to bind together.
  3. Tip about ¾ mixture into the base of the lined tin and spread it out well and then press it down very firmly.
  4. Spread the mincemeat in an even layer over the top.
  5. Mix the flaked almonds into the remaining mixture and then scatter this over the top of the mincemeat, and press it down lightly.
  6. Bake in the centre of the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is a light golden colour.
  7. Remove the cake from the oven and leave it to cool in the tin.
  8. Use the lining paper to help lift the traybake out onto a cutting board. Dust icing sugar over the top, if using, and then cut the traybake into 12 fingers.

Watch how to make our mincemeat cake

Top tips for making our mincemeat cake

A cheap and easy way to upgrade a jar of shop bought mincemeat is to add the zest of an orange and lemon. You could also add a dash of brandy, rum or whisky for a warming, boozy flavour hit.

How to serve mincemeat cake?

You can serve this cake with tea and coffee for an afternoon treat but it’s also a very delicious dessert. If serving warm we like to accompany it with custard, cream, ice cream or a combination of the three! 

What can I use instead of mincemeat?

If you can’t get hold of mincemeat, you can use jam or chocolate spread for something more indulgent.

Can I make this mincemeat cake nut-free?

To make the recipe nut-free swap the ground almonds for more plain flour and omit the flaked almonds from the top. You could mix in some granola instead if you like. It’s also important to check the mincemeat you buy is nut-free. 

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Ninja are known for their easy to use gadgets and this food processor is no exception! It has a classic blender setting as well as options to chop, slice, knead, and mix too. 

Our Christmas crumble is another comforting pud to be enjoyed over the festive season but you might also like our classic apple crumble recipe. In summer, we recommend our peach crumble but you could use tinned peaches if you want to make it over the winter.  

Food & Recipes writer

Sue McMahon is a former Food and Recipes Writer at GoodTo and Cooking Editor at Woman's Weekly. Her primary passion is cakes and Sue regularly travels the world teaching cake decorating. Her biggest achievement to date was winning the Prix d’honneur at La Salon Culinaire International de Londres beating over 1,200 other entries.