Fruitcake Made With Mincemeat

Mincemeat fruitcake is a holiday tradition.

Fruitcake made with mincemeat is considered traditional English cuisine, served on Christmas Eve to represent the Christian beliefs of the birth of Christ and the gifts of the Magi.

Symbolism

Mincemeat fruitcake is a variation of mincemeat pie dating back to the 11th century. Mincemeat fillings contained three spices -- cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg -- thought to symbolize the gifts brought to the baby Jesus from the Orient by the three Wise Men. Consuming a pie for each of the 12 days of Christmas was thought to bring forth luck.

History

Mincemeat filling used in cakes and pies began as a way to preserve meat through the sugar of the fruit and the spice concoction. Mincemeat cakes and pies were eaten as a main course predominantly amongst the impoverished until developing into a dessert.

Types

Vegetarian mincemeat fruitcake is made with dried candied fruit such as apples, raisins, cherries and apricots versus nonvegetarian mincemeat fruitcake that includes crumbled meat such as turkey, beef or venison in the mixture. The cake batter consists of ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and brandy.

References

• Epicurean.com: Mincemeat Fruitcake Recipe
• English Tea Store: History of Christmas Cake
• Eilenberger Bakery: Mince Meat Fruitcake Information