Spiced Mincemeat Cookies

ChicPeaz's Note:

I love mincemeat and grew up eating my grandma's pies at every holiday feast, but I realize it's not for everyone. I've found that while people shy away from the strong flavor of mincemeat pie, a sweet and spicy cookie is a much more gentle introduction to mincemeat and it's a good way to win converts!

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 3 dozen

• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 cups mincemeat pie filling
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (220 degrees C).
2. Cream together brown sugar, shortening, vanilla and molasses.
3. Add in egg and mincemeat and mix well. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and spices, and stir into mincemeat mixture.
4. Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes.
5. Drop onto cookie sheet and bake 8 - 12 minutes.