CHRISTMAS MINCEMEAT AND OAT SQUARES/SLICES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C or 400°F.
• Grease a shallow baking tin, 11 x 7 inches.
• Melt the butter or margarine gently in a large saucepan. Add the sugar and mix well.
• While the butter and sugar are being heated up, mix the porridge oats & flour together in a bowl.
• When the butter & sugar mixture have turned to liquid, take the pan off the heat and add the flour & oat mixture gradually, stirring all the time.
• When it is all thoroughly mixed and blended, spoon HALF the mixture into a well greased shallow baking tin.
• With the flat of your hand, press the mixture down firmly all over - making sure it gets into all the corners!
• The firmer you press, the less crumbly it will be when it has been cooked & therefore easier to pick up and eat!
• Next, using a tablespoon, spread ALL the mincemeat over the top - making sure it is evenly spread and goes into all those corners again! Press it down with the back of the spoon.
• Then spread the remaining oat & flour mixture over the top - again pressing down firmly and making sure it is evenly spread.
• Bake the mincemeat slices in the centre of the oven for about 20 minutes OR until the top is tinged brown - NOT too dark and brown.
• Remove from the oven & with a sharp knife, cut into 12 squares - BUT make sure to leave them in the tin until they are cold. It is easier to remove them this way.
• Sprinkle with icing sugar if you want and store in an airtight tin, that's if they are not gobbled up straight away!
• These can be re-heated in a warm oven OR microwave - then serve with cream or brandy butter as a nice, festive dessert.
• Be careful NOT to overheat in the microwave as mincemeat can really burn your mouth if it gets too hot!