PaPa's Mincemeat Cookies

Many of you have heard this story, but just in case you missed it I will once again tell about Papa's Mincemeat Cookies.

Mincemeat cookies was Papa's favorite Christmas cookie when he was growing up. And his sweet Mother would always make them for him at Christmas. Remember, he is the baby of the family! Then when we married she continued sending him mincemeat cookies at Christmas. Her Christmas present to her six boys was to make their favorite childhood cookie or dessert. So for years we could always expect a package of mincemeat cookies and shelled pecans. The mincemeat cookies were immediately hidden. And that was O.K. as I did not care for them nor did any of our four kids.

Them Momee died. No more mincemeat cookies came in the mail. After about three Christmas Papa asked me to please, please try to make mincemeat cookies. So I started trying to learn to make them close to his mothers. First they were off in the taste. Then they weren't shaped like hers. But after several years of trial and error I got them down exactly like he likes them. I know they are not exactly like his mothers, but close enough for him to look forward to having them at Christmas.

Here is the recipe:

3/4 cup Crisco shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 cups prepared mincemeat

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream shortening; gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Add mincemeat, mixing well. Combine flour, soda and salt and stir into creamed mixture. Drop dough by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper-ungreased) and bake at 350 degrees for 16-18 minutes.

Here is the trick to make them like his Mothers. Drop three 1/2 teaspoons in a row with mixture touching to make a rectangle cookie.

Cookies will be soft on top but should be just a little brown on bottom.

Mincemeat can be bought in a jar or can be bought in a box (concentrated). If you buy the concentrated you have to follow directors on box. I always buy the concentrated, make it up the day before I make cookies and use a slotted spoon when measuring out so I do not get too much liquid in the cookies.