Mincemeat

I've made my own mincemeat a couple times and to be honest, I don't think it's any better than good quality shop-bought.

I buy M&S or a 'Taste the Difference' supermarket own brand.

Lidl's is tasty (and good value) and I add a slug of brandy to make it more luxurious

I would add stewed bramly apples well stirred through it , to the bought stuff , and Lidls is good , some dark brown sugar as well . Mind if you do all that you might as well make your own

No. No way. Sorry. You can't beat homemade. Gather all your strength and just do it. It won't take long. Soon be done.

It's years since I took the trouble to make my own mincemeat and it must have been good because my then MiL said it was the best she'd ever tasted. Probably something to do with soaking the fruit overnight in brandy.

I'm taking a short cut this year as well.

I shall be putting my energy into making traditional pork pies. They are a faff but well worth the effort.

I've never bought mincemeat but I've used mixed fruit as a base this time and just added orange and lemon zest and juice; cherries, crushed cashew nuts, spice, grated apple and a bit of butter.

I find the dried fruit sweeter than my taste, so no sugar.

I won't add booze as there will be children at the table on Christmas Day but a nice, strong mix of brandy butter will be freely available for adults.

Oh for heavens sake. I life is too short to make your own mincepies
The supermarkets sell lovely mince pies. Try a few best.

No, I totally disagree, life is not too short to make your own mince pies, or any home baking, if you enjoy doing it! At least with home made, you know what's gone in it, plus the taste can't be beaten. ?

I’ve already made one batch of mince pies this year. DH loves them, I have to hide the tin and ration them!. I always use Robertson’s mincemeat like my Mum did.