Are you looking for recipes using mincemeat? Do you have a jar of leftover mincemeat lurking in your fridge after Christmas? If so don't let it go to waste and give these easy and delicious puff pastry apple and mincemeat pinwheels a try instead.
A great way to use up Christmas mincemeat
This is one of my favourite recipes using mincemeat - apart from mince pies of course. These puff pastry pinwheels are so easy to make and they taste absolutely amazing. Particularly when served straight from the oven.
Adding some pureed apple to them makes them even better. I love to add fruit and veg to recipes when I can as it means my fruit and veg hating seven year old is getting a little fruit in his diet.
Puff pastry is a great way to get kids to eat more fruit and veg
I am aware that I am slightly obsessed with puff pastry as a means of getting my children to eat more fruit and veg - but I'm ok with that!
It seems like I can put anything on puff pastry and the kids will gobble it up.
I might start a new blog called The Puff Pastry Diaries one of these days.
What is mincemeat?
I would imagine that mincemeat is a somewhat baffling ingredient to someone who didn't grow up with it.
To us Brits it's an essential part of Christmas, but I have no idea whether it's enjoyed in other parts of the world as well.
It's actually made of fruit
Despite the name mincemeat doesn't actually include any meat and is actually a mixture of dried spiced fruits, often containing alcohol.
Way back in the middle ages however, the fruit did have meat in it, which is how it got its name. It is often made with beef suet even today. Luckily for us vegetarians however it's easy enough to buy or make mincemeat without the suet.
If you're looking for more recipes using mincemeat check out the ideas below from some of my blogging friends.
Special diets
This recipe is suitable for vegans. Most ready made puff pastry is suitable for vegans but do check if you're not sure.
It's also worth checking your mincemeat jar. While almost all shop-bought mincemeat will be suitable for vegetarians and vegans, more traditional or homemade recipes may include suet, which is an animal product.
Use gluten free puff pastry to make this recipe gluten free
More recipes to use leftover mincemeat
NB: some links go to external sites
- Mincemeat and apple crumble
- Mincemeat and apple shortcake slice
- Leftover mincemeat crumble bars
- Rugelach with sweet mincemeat
- Chocolate mincemeat flapjacks
- Mincemeat muffins
- Mince pie cupcakes with brandy buttercream
- Whisky and ginger mincemeat Christmas cake
- Pancakes with mincemeat and salted caramel sauce
- Mincemeat festive wreath
- Chocolate brownies with mincemeat
- Mincemeat buns with cardamom
- Baked apples with mincemeat, maple syrup and brandy butter
- Mincemeat and cranberry flapjacks
Make your own vegan mincemeat.
Ingredients
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
To make apple and mincemeat pinwheels you will need:
- 2-3 apples
- 300g mincemeat
- a sheet of ready rolled puff pastry (weighing around 375g)
How to make puff pastry apple and mincemeat pinwheels
For full recipe, ingredients and quantities go to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
This is a really easy way to use up leftover mincemeat without making yet more mince pies.
1. Peel and chop the apples and place in a saucepan with a spoonful of water.
2. Cook until soft and roughly mash, or purée until smooth if preferred. Leave to cool.
3. When cool unroll the sheet of puff pastry and spread the apple over the top.
4. Add the mincemeat.
5. Roll up tightly and chill in the fridge for half an hour for best results.
6. Slice into rounds and bake in a pre-heated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Please do not reproduce this recipe without permission.
Easy apple and mincemeat puff pastry swirls
Ingredients
- 2-3 small apples peeled and chopped
- 300 g leftover mincemeat
- 375 g sheet of ready rolled puff pastry
Instructions
- Place 2-3 apples in a small pan with a dash of water, cover and cook over a low heat until soft. Mash gently or purée if preferred. Allow to cool.
- Unroll the 375g puff pastry sheet and spread the cooked apple and 300g leftover mincemeat over the top leaving a 3cm border along one of the long edges (this is to prevent the filling from escaping).
- Tightly roll up the pastry along the long edge.
- Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan)/200°C/gas mark 6 and line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
- Remove the pastry from the fridge and cut into 9-10 slices with a sharp knife. Place flat on the baking tray.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry has turned golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and either serve warm or allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
If you like this you might like my stewed apples recipe.
Pin puff pastry apple and mincemeat pinwheels for later
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Jenny Paulin
such a lovely and tasty idea for using up mincemeat Many. I still have a jar to use up! Thank you for featuring one of my recipes in your round up x
Mandy Mazliah
You're welcome Jenny - it looks so yummy x
Kate - gluten free alchemist
Lovely idea..... and so easy too! Shame I missed the call for the mincemeat collection! That Mincemeat ice-cream would have fitted in nicely among so many other amazing mincemeaty friends! x
Mandy Mazliah
Sorry! It does sound lovely x
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
I can very much understand why these your mincemeat swirls were gobbled up so quickly Mandy - they look and sound delicious - I mean who doesn't love a bit of puff pastry and even better if you can add some frit & veg into the equation.
Thankyou too for including my Mincemeat bakes Mandy,
Angela x
Monika Dabrowski
Great little snack idea, Mandy, and thank you for including my recipe in this collection. Shared:)
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks so much Monika x
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery
These are so pretty & what a great way to use up mincemeat! Also Love the idea of the puff pastry diaries! Isn't it funny how kids will eat anything wrapped in pastry - for mine its one of the only ways I can get certain dairyfree cheeses in them! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas x
Mandy Mazliah
Thanks Midge - puff pastry is always my saviour!
Eb Gargano
P.S. Love the idea of 'The Puff Pastry Diaries'!! I keep reading lately about the benefits of blogging in a very narrow niche: 😉 Xx
Mandy Mazliah
Maybe I’ll do it! I certainly have enough recipes...
Eb Gargano
These look so good - and wonderfully easy peasy! Need these ideas as I still have a pot and a half of mincemeat left!! Thanks you so much for including my recipes too 🙂 Eb x
Mandy Mazliah
There’s so many wonderful things you can do - let me know what you decide x