Mince Pie Crumble Squares

Mince pies are a staple at Christmastime – these treats are a cross between the classic mince pie and a flapjack-style bar with a sweet crumbly top. They are naturally vegan, gluten-free and easy to make in less than 30 minutes.

Who doesn’t love a good mince pie? I’m not a fan of the ones that you find in the supermarkets that are really sweet. So, I do prefer to make my own and it is something we have done at home ever since I can remember at home. When November starts, so does the mince pie making! To compliment my original Homemade Mince Pies recipe, I thought I’d make something a little different – Mince Pie Crumble Squares!

Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Mince Pie Crumble Bars

Inspired by my recent love for crumble bars (I recommend you also try out the Vegan S’Mores Crumble Bars) I infused a little festivity into them. The base and the crumble topping mixture is the same flapjack-style recipe which makes these Mince Pie Crumble Squares really easy and quick to make. Combine sticky dates, oats or buckwheat flakes, chia seeds and the important mixed spice with some coconut oil, a pinch of salt and some almond (or vanilla extract) in a blender and that’s it. I love using almond essence for a nuttier experience which adds an almost sweet marzipan-taste to the bars but vanilla would also work very well.

The flapjack base is then topped with some sweet mincemeat – either homemade (like my recipe for easy mincemeat here) or shop-bought. Just make sure it is vegan-friendly and gluten-free if needed! Sprinkle over some of the remaining oaty mixture and that’s it. Allow your kitchen to fill with heavenly festive aromas as you blast some Christmas songs and get the kettle on (or mulled wine…).

Mince Pie Crumble Bars

These Mince Pie Crumble Squares are delicious served warm on their own or with custard or ice cream as a dessert. Or serve them cold with tea, they are great either way. They are naturally sweet, sticky and crumbly and a real crowd-pleasing festive sweet or snack. They have all the classic mince pie flavours with a fun twist. Plus, they are easy to make, quick to devour and wholesome.

If you are looking for more festive bakes and desserts, how about my Orange and Cranberry Almond Biscotti, Pear Cardamom and Almond Crumble or Mince Pie Cinnamon Rolls.

Mince Pie Crumble Squares

• Servings: 12
• Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Mince pies are a staple at Christmastime – these treats are a cross between the classic mince pie and a flapjack-style bar with a sweet crumbly top. They are naturally vegan, gluten-free and easy to make in less than 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 200g dates, soaked in boiling water
• 200g oats/buckwheat flakes
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 50g coconut oil
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp almond extract (or vanilla)
• 200g mincemeat

Directions

1. Soak the dates in boiling water for 10 minutes if they are not soft enough then drain.
2. Preheat the oven to 160Fan/180*C and line a baking tray (16x18cm) with parchment paper.
3. In a food processor, blend the oats/buckwheat flakes and chia seeds into a fine flour and put to one side.
4. Add the dates to the processor and blend until jammy and then add in the oat/buckwheat flour, mixed spice, coconut oil, salt and almond extract and combine to a sticky dough.
6. Transfer ¾ of the dough to form the base of the crumble bars and press down firmly.
7. Spoon the mincemeat over the base and top with the crumble mix. Press down lightly with your hands.
8. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown on top.

Mince Pie Crumble Bars

I hope you’ll enjoy these Mince Pie Crumble Squares and they’ll jazz up your Christmas season. Let me know what you think below and tag me in your creations – I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With mince pie crumble squares love x