Freezer Mincemeat is the latest request for a recipe from Home and Freezer Digest. It’s a really easy recipe that tastes delicious and you can store it in your freezer. Every now and then, I get another comment or request on the post I did about Home and Freezer Digest back in November 2009.
What is Home and Freezer Digest?
Home and Freezer Digest was one of the few cooking magazines available in the early 1980s. I did have many copies all in their special binders.
However, before I started my blog I gave them away to a charity shop. I still have the December 1988 copy and three of the special ‘books’ that I bought from them.
Christmas from the Freezer
The Complete Freezeaway Christmas
100 Best Apple Recipes
When were the Home and Freezer books published?
Only the 100 Best Apple Recipes has a publication date, which was 1981.
I’m assuming that, as 100 Best Apple Recipes was 75p, it came first. Followed by Christmas from the Freezer at £1 and finally, at the huge price of £1.95, The Complete Freezeaway Christmas Cookbook.
Occasionally I still cook from these books and have some real favourites in the Apple book.
Recipe requests for Home and Freezer Digest
I am not the only one with affection for these magazines and the recipes in them. I regularly get comments on the 2009 post from someone who used to collect the magazines, seeking a particular recipe.
This month I had a request for ‘Princess Pudding’, sadly I was unable to help. However, yesterday I had a request from Clare in Canada, for the mincemeat recipe from Christmas from the Freezer.
Finding copies of Home & Freezer Digest
If you are looking for copies of Home and Freezer Digest magazine, I suggest that you look on eBay. There are usually a few copies of both the magazines and the little books available at reasonable prices.
More Mincemeat Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen
I’m a big fan of mincemeat and make it every year, trying different recipes to share with you.
Easy Slow Cooker Mincemeat is the easiest mincemeat I’ve ever made. Mince Pies are a Christmas tradition in the UK. Mince Pies are sweet pastry tarts filled with a rich mixture including dried fruit, spices, and sugar.
Instant Chocolate Mincemeat is quick and easy to make. it’s ideal if you want to make your own mincemeat but didn’t quite get around to making soon enough for it to mature properly
Dark Chocolate Mincemeat is a rich cooked mincemeat recipe with added chocolate. The chocolate adds an extra layer of delicious flavour that will make your mince pies an instant hit.
What to make with Mincemeat
Once you have made your mincemeat, check out this collection of Recipes Using Mincemeat for some great ideas for bakes, cakes, and desserts using mincemeat.
Freezer Mincemeat
Most mincemeat is stored in sterilised jars but this recipe for mincemeat is made to be stored in the freezer. It’s really easy to make and tastes so much better than anything you can buy. Make it in advance and will last for 3 months.
Freezer Mincemeat
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (675g cooking apples
- 1 pounds 450g seedless raisins
- 8 oz 225g currants
- 6 oz 150g sultanas
- 2 oz 50g mixed peel, chopped
- 8 oz 225g shredded suet
- 10 oz 275g soft brown sugar
- 1 lemon grated rind and juice
- 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
- 4 tablespoon brandy
Instructions
- Peel, core and slice apples. Cook genlty without water, stirring to pulp them. Cool.
- Add dried fruits to all other ingredients, then stir in apple. Mix well.
- Put into rigid containers. Keep 3-4 days in fridge to ‘mature’.
- Seal and freeze ior up to 3 months
Notes
To freeze: seal and label. Use within 3 months.
To serve from freezer: thaw overnight at room temperature.
Karen S Booth says
That mincemeat recipe is very similar to my boozy fat free mincemeat, it also has apples in it too and you cook them with the fruit! A lovely post and I had never heard of this magazine before until now. Karen
Ruth Darley says
I used to get the Home & Freezer Digest too – brilliant little book, but I can’t find the one that gives the recipe for the very “short” pastry for the mince pies. I always get asked to make these. They are known in our family as “Mum’s drop on the floor mince pies” as soon as you take a bit they just fall apart, but are so delicious. If anyone still has the copy with these in I would be grateful for the recipe again.
Janice Pattie says
They sound lovely Ruth. I don’t think I have that recipe, if I get a chance I’ll look, just so busy in the run up to Christmas.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
My mother had that 'Complete Freezeaway Christmas' – I'm going to HAVE to hunt for one on Ebay now!!
Janice Pattie says
Hope you find it Sarah!
Jane Willis says
I used to love that magazine too. In fact I have several scrapbooks full of recipes cut out of it and many of our long standing family favourites first appeared in it.
Tina says
We had that booklet in the 70s. There was a recipe for ginger hollows. Biscuits that cooked with a hollow centre. They were delicious.
Heather says
I stumbled across your blog whilst searching, in vain, for the "Home & Freezer Digest" recipe for Cranberry Relish. I have been making it all this time but am currently in Qatar and cannot find my copied recipe! I know exactly where my binders are at home but everyone is away for Christmas already. Can anyone help?
Janice Pattie says
Hi Heather
There is a Cranberry Sauce recipe in each of the Christmas books:
450g cranberries
150g caster sugar
150ml water
Put all ingredients in a saucpan, cover an simmer for about 15 minutes until berries are tender. Serve hot or cold.
Cranberry Orange Sauce
150g granulated sugar
300ml water
1 orange, finely grated rind and juice
450g cranberries
Heat sugar in water slowly till dissolved stir in rind and juice and boil 5 mins. Add cranberries and simmer gently for about 10 mins till berries burst. Serve hot.
There's also a great cranberry relish recipe HERE
Heather says
Thanks for your time and trouble, Janice.
The recipe I was after used vinegar and cinnamon stick but I can't remember what else and in what proportions. It was a relish and definitely not like the 'jam' which passes for sauce. 😉
Merry Christmas to all.
Caroline says
My mum still uses recipes from some of her very old books on a regular basis – latest to be used was the Sainsbury's Freezer Cookbook which contains her chicken liver pate recipe!
fleurblanc says
Is the brandy butter recipe in the "Christmas from the freezer" cook book. I remember using it & everyone loved it as it was entirely different from the usual brandy butter.
Janice Pattie says
I'm afraid I don't have access to my cook books at the moment, they have all been put away while I get work done on the kitchen. I'll try to remember to come back and let you know when I can get to Christmas from the freezer, thanks for your interest
Gloria says
Do you have the recipes for stuffings that were in Christmas From The Freezer . I had a new kitchen fitted last year and hsve lost my copy of the cookbook. I have tried most of the christmas recipes over the years and am so unhappy that the book has got lost.
Janice Pattie says
If you email me [email protected] I'll scan and send them to you. If you want a copy of the book, try eBay I've seen copies there.
MAIR HILL says
I made the freezer mincemeat from Christmas from the Freezer but i seem to recall that it was made with butter not suet.
Janice Pattie says
Yes, I believe the freezer mincemeat was made with butter but this is isn’t the Freezer version, it is a cooked version and the recipe definitely states suet. There are so many different ways to make mincemeat but, in my opinion, it’s all delicious! Thanks for your comment, always nice to hear from fans of H&FD
Karen says
I had quite a collection all in the blue hardback folders. Unfortunately when I moved home in 2014 I threw the lot in the dustbin. They had become quite dusty and I didn’t think I had room for them. However I really regret that now and keep remembering recipes which I used from there i.e. tuna plait and tuna pate. So sad!
Janice Pattie says
So many of us have thrown out our collections, Tuna Pate sounds familiar, I’ll have a look and see if I have the recipe.
Karen clark says
Thank you Janice.
Janice says
I still have the Freezing for Christmas book and use it every year, especially love the mincemeat.
Janice Pattie says
Good to know there are still some of us using the old H&F books!
Beryl Smith says
I am about to make the freezer mincemeat tomorrow,love it because there is no suet in this one ,have made it for years?
Janice Pattie says
That’s great, Beryl. Home and Freezer Digest was such a great little magazine, full of useful, everyday recipes as well as specials for entertaining.
Jester Bit says
Hi, I winder if you can help me please? About 30-40 years ago my Grandad used to buy the Freezer Digest magazine each week for my Mum. She used to cook a really nice Biryani recipe from them, quite possibly a Mary Berry recipe my Mum recalls. She’d really like to make the recipe again but has long since lost the magazines. I wonder if you know of anywhere I might be able to search further for it please? Thanks for any help.
Janice Pattie says
Hi there
You can buy some of the magazines on Ebay, but difficult to know what you are going to get. I will look and see whether I have a Biryani recipe in any of my remaining magazines and let you know. Otherwise, perhaps ask on Twitter?
Jester Bit says
Thank you, Janice, that would be amazing. I’d happily go on eBay, but with so many magazines produced, and with no idea of what issue this recipe was in, it’s a bit of a needle in a haystack.
Janice Pattie says
I’ve had a look and I did find a ‘Feast from the East’ but sadly it didn’t include a Biryani. I do regret throwing out all the magazines that I had, but it’s too late now. Hope you manage to find the recipe you are looking for.
Jester Bit says
That’s ok, thanks so much for looking, really appreciate that.
Alison Barker says
My Mum has used the recipe from the freezeaway Christmas book for her fruit cakes and had lost the book in recent years. Thank you so much Janice for providing the recipe, she’ll be one happy lady and the rest of the family look forwards to eating lovely Christmas cake once again!
Janice Pattie says
You are very welcome Alison. I’m glad to help our where I can, and I hope you and your family enjoy your Christmas cake.
Geraldine Denny says
Hi my mum used to make the coffee walnut cake recipe from home and freezer digest. We have moved so many times she no longer has the books but it would be great if someone had the recipe. Many thanks.
Janice Pattie says
I’ll have a look Geraldine and let you know if I have the recipe.
Geraldine Denny says
Lovely, thank you
Janice Pattie says
Sorry Geraldine, I have looked through the recipes that I have from Home & Freezer Digest and I don’t have a Carrot Cake. I can recommend this one that I got from a blogging friend
Clare says
Lost this recipe when we emigrated from UK to Canada, so glad to have found it again. My family will not eat shop bought so we have gone without for a few years. I must admit I add about 100gm glacé cherries. Thanks you for posting.
Peter Dunkley says
We’ve lost the page from ‘The Complete Freezaway Christmas Cookbook’ (the £1.75 version!) for boned turkey with three stuffings. Would very much appreciate it if someone will send it. Thanks
Janice Pattie says
I’ll see what I can do Peter.
MAUREEN WOODWARD says
DOES ANYONE HAVE THE RECIPE FOR THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING IN THE HOME AND FREEZER DIGEST PLEASE, ITS THE ONLY ONE MY FAMILY WILL EAT, I SUGGESTED BUYING A PUDDING BUT IT DIDN’T GO DOWN WELL. THANKYOU XXXX
Janice Pattie says
Hi Maureen, I’ve emailed you.
Mrs Ruth Darley says
I have the old freezer digest with 3 different Christmas puddings in – 1.Traditional rich 2. Budget special 3.South Seas Christmas pudding. I “Mum’s drop on the floor mince pies” as the pastry is so crumbly you take one bite & …. you can guess what happens!! – explode onto the floor 🙂
Linda Oates says
Hi Ruth I have been looking for the recipe for the mince pies as I have lost my copy with it in so can you help
Janice Pattie says
Hi Linda
Which mince pie recipe was it you were looking for?
Janice
Ruth Darley says
I can email you the traditional mince pie recipe. Do I need you email address or do I just type it out here?
Linda Oates says
They are the recipe using part cornflour. when made they are so light and the pastry melts my husband threw mine out thinking they were old magazines for the tip
Mrs Ruth Darley says
The recipe in my old F.D. book uses SR flour not cornflour, so maybe there’s another one.
Linda Oates says
Thank you for your reply the recipe I’m after is in one of the freezer monthly books regards Linda x
Janice Pattie says
Hi Linda, I’ve also checked my H&F books and I don’t have any recipes using cornflour , sorry. Janice
Ruth Darley says
That comment was for Linda Oates I’ve just realised. Not sure how this site works. I am going to make the traditional mince pies tomorrow as it happens!
Mrs Ruth Darley says
Somehow half of that vanished I actually said ” I have kept the old Christmas edition as my family love the traditional mince pie recipe in it & call them “Mum’s drop on the floor mince pies etc etc
Janice Pattie says
Sounds like a good one, Ruth!
Mrs Ruth Darley says
If the lady who needed the pudding recipe wants to email me I can copy out whichever recipe it is that she needs.
Sue Elleker says
I need the recipe for the traditional rich pudding please-I lent my book to someone last year, Can’t remember who & never got it back.
Janice Pattie says
I’ll email you Sue.
Mrs Ruth Darley says
I guess you don’t need me to copy it out as it looks as if Janice is going to. If not please let me have your email address Sue & I’ll copy it out.
Janice Pattie says
Kind of you to offer Ruth ?
eva says
The question is has anyone got the recipe for the short pastry mince pies with macaroon topping from Home and Freezer Digest.
Janice Pattie says
I’ll email you Ewa.
Christine Jones says
I loved the Home and Freezer Digest. I have used recipes for Christnas Cake and Pudding from one entitled Cook Ahead For Christmas most years. The saved pages are so tattered and food stained but still readable. Shock horror I thought I had left them in France but am pleased to say I must have brought them back with us.
Janice Pattie says
I’m glad you managed to find your copies of H&FD, Christine. It was an awesome magazine and so ahead of its time.
Paula Swinbourne says
Have you the recipe for a light sherry soaked Christmas cake I think it was in a little H and F booklet for Christmas that had a red cover would dearly live to make this again
Thank you
Janice Pattie says
Hi Paula, I’ll check tonight and get back to you.
Janice Pattie says
Hi Paula, I’m afraid there doesn’t seem to be a light sherry soaked Christmas cake in the H&F books that I’ve got. You can sometimes find H&F magazines and books on Ebay. Sorry I couldn’t help.
Jo Kirk says
Hi
I found this site in a desperate search for the Christmas from the freezer mince pie recipe. I recently moved house and I can’t find my copy anywhere. If anyone has the book and could email the recipe my Christmas will be complete.
My Mum used this book every year and I got the book when she passed away I have looked everywhere.
Janice Pattie says
Hi Jo, I’ll email you.
Jessica says
I’ve so many fond memories of baking with my mum from these books, the tray bakes were a regular, and we still have the lemon stuffing balls every Christmas. I was hoping to make my mum the lemony freezer trifle but sadly my mum has misplaced her copy. i don’t suppose you happen to have a copy that you could please share with me? Thank you, Jess
Janice Pattie says
I’ve emailed you, Jess ?
Marg says
I,too,had a stack of these books from the ’70s and ’80s and threw out all but the christmas one. This is in very tatty condition but used every year. They were very useful for a girl just starting family life. It might be an idea to check charity shops\(when they open.).
Janice Pattie says
They seem to be very popular little magazines.
Sue says
The recipe that I used for freezer mincemeat was from Home & Freezer Digest, and definitely used butter not suet. The dried fruits, apples, sugar, lemon rind & juice and butter are all cooked up in cider. Then at the end some brandy or rum is added.
It’s delicious. I have lost the original copy, but still have the recipe as friends asked me for it and Then have typed out copies.
Janice Pattie says
Hi there, I think H&F published quite a few freezer mincemeat recipes over the years. Great that you still have access to the recipe.