Welcome Downton Abbey fans. Christmas is only thirteen sleeps away, that time of year when we frantically try to cram as much merriment as we can into a few weeks. Why not start a new tradition and invite your friends for a relaxing afternoon tea to help calm the nerves?
Today’s treat is Holiday Mincemeat Cake, from my new ecookbook Abbey Cooks Entertain. A simple recipe which provides some of the flavours of Christmas without all the work.
Cooking Downton? Just Ask.
As Season 3 looms closer I have been fielding more questions about what to serve at parties from all sources: from young women looking for simple ideas for their 18th birthday party to cooking magazines and news organizations searching for content for their Downton stories. I provided Zurich-based Saisonküche with help for their Downton Christmas dinner months ago and they were kind enough to share a few of their pictures for my book. My iPhone is OK, but a professional photographer can work magic with food.
I was thrilled to hear from The Washington Post this past week who interviewed me for their food site, testing the version of the apple charlotte which made the book.
Holiday Mincemeat Cake
Holiday Mincemeat Cake
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup Mincemeat make your own recipe below
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp. baking powder
- 3 tbsp. brandy/sherry
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325°F. Grease and line an 8 inch round cake tin, 8 or 9 inch loaf pan, or bundt pan.
- Beat applesauce and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually add eggs,mincemeat and brandy.
- Stir flour and baking powder together and add to the wet ingredients until well mixed. Scoop the mixture into the pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
- The cake is done when a skewer is inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack, slice and serve.
Notes
- mincemeat
- apple sauce
