English recipes from the 15th, 16th, and 17th century describe a mixture of meat and fruit used as a pie filling. These early recipes included vinegars and wines, but by the 18th century distilled spirits, frequently brandy, were being used instead. The use of spices like clove, nutmeg, ...
What Is Mincemeat? Mincemeat is a combination of dried fruits, warming spices, sugar, nuts, distilled spirits, and, traditionally, mutton or beef suet. However, many modern mincemeat recipes do not include actual meat. It is often used as a pastry or pie filling. Learn more:What Is Mincemeat?
Brush the pie with the egg wash. Make 6 teardrop-shaped cuts in the top. Set the pie on the baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°. Bake for 40 minutes longer, until the pie is golden and filling begins to bubble. Transfer the pie to a rack a...