Holiday Split Seconds

Tuesday 15 December 2009



I've made no secret of the fact that I just love mincemeat. I just can't get enough of it and each year at Christmas time, I go through copious amounts of it, so you best be prepared . . . I have more than a few mincemeat goodies left in me yet.



I have had this split second cookie recipe for years and years. A buttery crisp cookie, filled with a sweet jam filling that you bake in logs and then cut into diagonals, this recipe was a real Godsend when my kids were growing up, because I could have several dozen cookies cooled and waiting in the cookie jar in about half an hour's time! I used to fill them with raspberry jam most of the time, and at Christmas time I would fill them with mint jelly and raspberry jam, not together . . . but separately so that I'd have red and green filled ones.



One day a few years ago, I had some mincemeat that I needed to use up, and the light went on. I thought why not! So I added some cinnamon to the cookie dough and used the leftover mincemeat to fill the centres . . . and then I thought . . .



Why not add a tasty nutty streusel topping and then glaze them???

Why not indeed!



These are fabulous if I don't say so myself. Guaranteed to become a favourite.



Move over Mince Pies. There's some strong competition here! Todd and I just love these tasty little babies!



*Holiday Split Seconds*
Makes 4 dozen
Printable Recipe

Called split seconds because they can be thrown together quickly and baked just as quick as a wink. These are lovely additions to your holiday cookie trays. Great keepers and very tasty.

280g plain flour
(2 cups)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 ounces butter, softened
(3/4 cup)
75g golden caster sugar
(2/3 cup)
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 to 3/4 small jar of purchased mincemeat

Streusel Topping:
285g brown sugar
(1/3 cup)
70g plain flour
(1/3 cup)
2 tsp water
1 tsp cinnamon
2 TBS softened butter
50g chopped toasted pecans

Glaze:
140g icing sugar, sifted
(1 cup)
milk as needed to make a runny glaze



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Line two shallow baking trays with parchment paper. Set aside.

Sift together the baking powder, flour and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the caster sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla, beating until smooth. Beat in the flour mixture until the dough is well mixed. Divide into quarters.

Shape each quarter into a long thick sausage shape on the parchment paper, each about 13 inches long and about 3/4 of an inch wide. Place the logs, 2 inches from the edges of the pan and at least four to five inches apart from each other. Press it a bit flat with your gingers and square it off at the ends. Taking the handle of a wooden spoon make a depression down the centre of each log lengthwise about 1/4 of an inch deep. Spoon the mincemeat carefully down the centre of each, filling in the depression.

Make the streusel by rubbing all the ingredients together to make a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle some of this over each log. You will not need it all.

Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they start to colour and firm up a bit. Remove from the pan and while they are still warm, using a sharp knife, cut each log into 12 diagonal slices. Slide the paper onto wire racks to allow them to cool completely before separating them. Once they are completely cold, make a glaze by whisking the icing sugar together with enough milk to make a smooth drizzle. Drizzle some of this over each cookie. Allow to harden before stroring in airtight containers. Will keep at least a week, if you have them that long! They also freeze very well.

9 comments

  1. OH Marie...these cookies look incredible! Wondering if you can your own mincemeat?

    My Mom used to make Mincemeat Pie for the holidays but I always went for the Pumpkin or Pecan Pies. Now my tastes have changed and I love Mincemeat too!

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  2. I love the way these look, Marie--I can just about taste them! How do you get your photos so delicious, along with the recipes?!

    Hope you're having a wonderful day--dropping something off in the post for you tomorrow--sorry I'm so slow!!! Time's flying by too quickly this Christmas! Much love to you!

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  3. I have to STOP!! I have some mincemeat and I know I would like these more than the pies~ Great idea!

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  4. WOW these sound SO good!!! Ill have to try them out! Merry Christmas!

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  5. These look sooo good, Marie! I've already been eating too may sweet, and it's days to Christmas yet... LOL! Happy Day, dear friend--LOVE YOU HEAPS :O) ((BIG HUGS))

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  6. I like the look of these, will see what mincemeat I have left after the last batch of pies are made.

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  7. I’m a raw vegan and frankly this time of year can be tough. Trying to accommodate my dinner guests as well as being surrounded by tons of junky and processed foods can get way out of hand. Someone at the local whole foods recommended I check out this site www.RoseCole.com/HolidayCookbook . It has tons of vegan/raw vegan/sugar free/ dairy free/gluten free recipes. I’ve tested out a few on some NON-vegan friends and they loved them!

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  8. Thanks for the recipe. I love mincemeat and it's always nice to have some ways to use other than just pies. Not that I mind eating the pies '-)

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