Okay, picture this: It’s Christmas Eve, the fire’s crackling, and the smell of warm spices is filling the air. My absolute *favorite* part of the holidays has *always* been the baking! And this year, I’m totally obsessed with these Mince Pie Crumble Bars. Seriously, they’re the perfect festive treat. They’re SO easy to whip up, and the buttery crumble with that rich, fruity mincemeat? Forget about it! It’s a match made in holiday heaven. Trust me, once you try these Mince Pie Crummble Bars, you’ll be making them every year, just like me!

Why You’ll Love These Mince Pie Crumble Bars

The Perfect Festive Treat: Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Seriously, these bars *scream* holiday cheer! The spices, the fruit, that warm, cozy feeling? It’s like Christmas in every bite. You just can’t beat it!

Easy Mince Pie Crumble Bars Recipe

Don’t have all day to bake? No worries! This recipe is so simple, even I can’t mess it up (and that’s saying something!). Quick prep, easy steps, and boom – deliciousness!

Delicious Mince Pie Crumble Bars for Sharing

These bars are *perfect* for sharing… or, you know, not! Bake a batch for your next holiday gathering, or just keep them all to yourself. I won’t judge!

Ingredients for Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing Mince Pie Crumble Bars. Don’t worry if you don’t have *everything* – I’ll give you some swap-out ideas later. But for the best results? Stick to this list!

75g raisins – plump and juicy!
75g currants – their tangy flavor is key!
75g sultanas – for extra sweetness.
75g dried cranberries – adds a nice chew.
50g mixed peel – that classic Christmas flavor!
150g cooking apple, finely chopped – Bramley’s are my go-to.
75g unsalted butter – for richness in the mincemeat.
125g light brown soft sugar – for a caramel-y depth.
1 tsp ground cinnamon – gotta have that warmth!
1 tsp mixed spice – the *secret* ingredient!
Zest of 1 lemon – brightens everything up!
150ml brandy (or apple juice) – for a little kick (or not!).
175g rolled oats – the base of our crumble!
200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting – all-purpose works great.
150g light brown soft sugar – more sweetness for the crumble.
175g unsalted butter, cold and cubed – *cold* is important!
½ tsp baking powder – for a bit of lift.

How to Make Mince Pie Crumble Bars: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, are you ready to get baking? Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it! Just follow these steps, and you’ll have amazing Mince Pie Crumble Bars in no time. Trust me, it’s easier than it looks!

Preparing the Mincemeat for Mince Pie Crumble Bars

First things first, let’s make that delicious mincemeat! Grab a saucepan and throw in your raisins, currants, sultanas, cranberries, mixed peel, chopped apple, that lovely butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, mixed spice, and lemon zest. Now, heat it all on low until the butter’s melted. Give it a good stir to combine everything. Then, bump up the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. It should be all bubbly and fragrant. Take it off the heat and let it cool completely. This is important! Once it’s cool, stir in your brandy (or apple juice). Ta-da! Mincemeat done!

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Creating the Crumble Topping for Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Next up: the crumble! This is the *fun* part. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) – don’t forget this step! And line a 9×9 inch tin with baking paper. Now, in a big bowl, mix together your oats, flour, sugar, baking powder, and those cubes of cold butter. Here’s the trick: rub the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until it looks like breadcrumbs. You can also use a pastry blender if you have one. The colder the butter, the better the crumble, so don’t skip this step!

Assembling and Baking Your Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Almost there! Take about 500g of your crumble mixture and press it firmly into the bottom of your lined tin. This is your base. Now, spread that gorgeous mincemeat evenly over the base. Finally, sprinkle the remaining crumble on top – don’t be shy! Pop it into the preheated oven and bake for 30+ minutes, or until it’s golden brown and bubbly. The top should be nice and crispy. Once it’s done, take it out and let it cool completely in the tin before you even *think* about cutting it. I know, it’s hard to resist, but trust me, it’s worth the wait! Once it’s cool, portion it into bars and enjoy!

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Tips for Perfect Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Want to make sure your Mince Pie Crumble Bars are *amazing*? Of course, you do! Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way to guarantee success. These are my *secrets*, so pay attention!

Ensuring a Perfect Crumble for Your Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Okay, the key to a great crumble is COLD butter. Seriously, ice-cold! And don’t overmix it! You want it to look like coarse breadcrumbs, not a paste. Trust me on this one!

Avoiding Common Mince Pie Crumble Bars Mistakes

Don’t overbake them! They should be golden brown, but still a little soft. And for the love of all that’s holy, let them cool completely before cutting. Otherwise? Crumble city! It’s worth the wait. I promise!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Mince Pie Crummble Bars

Okay, so maybe you don’t have *every single thing* on that ingredients list? Don’t panic! Here are a few swaps you can make without totally messing things up. I promise, these Mince Pie Crumble Bars are pretty forgiving!

Mince Pie Crumble Bars: Choosing the Right Apples

Honestly, any cooking apple will do, but my top pick is Bramley! They’re tart and break down beautifully when cooked. If you can’t find them, Granny Smiths or Honeycrisp work great too. Just make sure they’re finely chopped so they get nice and soft in the mincemeat.

Alcohol-Free Mince Pie Crumble Bars: Brandy Substitutions

Want to skip the booze? No problem! Apple juice is the perfect swap for brandy. You could also use orange juice or even a bit of strong tea for a different flavor twist. But honestly, apple juice is my go-to. It keeps those Mince Pie Crumble Bars kid-friendly and delicious!

Storing and Reheating Your Mince Pie Crumble Bars

So, you’ve made these amazing Mince Pie Crumble Bars… and somehow, you have leftovers? Wow! Here’s how to keep them tasting their best. Trust me, a little TLC goes a long way!

Storing Mince Pie Crumble Bars for Freshness

Once they’re completely cool, pop those bars into an airtight container. They’ll keep at room temperature for about 3 days. If you want them to last a bit longer? Stick ’em in the fridge for up to a week. Easy peasy!

Reheating Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Want that warm, just-baked feeling again? You’ve got options! A quick zap in the microwave (about 15-20 seconds) works wonders. Or, for a crispier result, try reheating them in a low oven (around 150°C) for about 5-10 minutes. Watch them carefully, though – you don’t want to dry them out!

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FAQ About Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Can I use store-bought mincemeat for these Mince Pie Crummble Bars?

Absolutely! Honestly, sometimes I’m just too lazy to make my own. A good quality shop-bought mincemeat (you’ll need about 600-800g) works just fine. Just make sure it’s not too runny – you want it to hold its shape in the bars. And hey, no one will ever know!

How long do Mince Pie Crumble Bars last?

Well, if you don’t eat them all in one go (which, let’s be honest, is a challenge!), these Mince Pie Crumble Bars will keep for about 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container. Or, pop them in the fridge and they’ll last for up to a week. But trust me, they’re best enjoyed fresh!

Can I freeze Mince Pie Crumble Bars?

Yep, you sure can! If you want to make them ahead of time, just wrap them tightly in cling film and then foil. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw completely at room temperature before digging in. They might lose a *tiny* bit of their crispiness, but they’ll still be delicious!

Nutritional Information for Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Okay, quick disclaimer: the nutrition info below is just an estimate! It’ll change depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use. So, yeah, take it with a grain of (festive) salt!

Rate This Mince Pie Crumble Bars Recipe!

So, what did you think? Did you love these Mince Pie Crumble Bars as much as I do? Leave a comment below and let me know! And don’t forget to give the recipe a star rating! Share your baking creations on social media too – I’d love to see them!