October 26th is Mincemeat Pie Day

Mincemeat Bars   

1 c. all purpose flour

¼ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. ground cloves

½ tsp. allspice

1 large egg

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature

¾ c. firmly packed light brown sugar

2 Tbsp. light or dark molasses

1 tsp. grated orange zest

½ tsp. pure orange extract

½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 c. prepared mincemeat

½ c. golden raisins

½ c. walnuts, coarsely chopped

2 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar (for topping)

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease and flour a 9×13” pan. In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves & all spice together; set aside. In large bowl, combine egg, butter, brown sugar & molasses; beat together until mixture is thick and smooth.  Add orange zest, orange extract & vanilla extract; stir to mix. Add mincemeat, raisins & nuts; stir to mix. Add flour mixture; stir until mixed. Spread batter evenly in baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven. Using fine-mesh sieve, dust the top of the hot cookie with confectioners’ sugar. Leave cookie in pan to cool; place baking pan on wire rack to cool; cut into 2” squares. Yield: 2 dozen bars.