TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT COOKIES

TRADITIONAL MINCEMEAT COOKIES image

Yield 8 Dozen

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup Softened Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Softened Vegetable Shortening
1 cup Bakers Sugar (Maple Sugar is a fantastic modification)
1/2 cup Packed dark brown sugar
3 Eggs
1 tsp Natural Vanilla
1 1/2 cups Prepared Mincemeat
3 1/4 cups Unbleached All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 cup Chopped Walnuts (optional)

Steps:

In a mixer slowly cream together softened butter, shortening, granulated sugar, packed dark brown sugar. Use the dough hook attachment if you have one for better results) Add to the mixer the three eggs (unbeaten), vanilla and continue creaming for a few seconds, then whip on high for 3 minutes. Stop mixer, add prepared mincemeat. (For best results add the mincemeat by hand so the fruit stays sort of whole and doesn't disintegrate from the beater the also add flour while mixing by hand) Sift together the all purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gradually add sifted flour mixture to creamed mixture in the mixer on low. Add chopped walnuts if desired. On a parchment lined cookie sheet, drop +/- 2 Tbsp of batter 2"-3" apart. Preheat oven to 375 - bake 10 minutes Cool Twenty Minutes. Best served the day after baking letting the spices set.