Mince pies and when to eat them…

My MIL used to. But I do pick good quality mince, with mostly fruit and less sugar, and cut with apple and a bit of brandy.

Does anyoe make their own mincemeat?

I start buying and eating them as soon as they’re available. A well known brand with butter shortcrust pastry and brandy in the fruit is my favourite.

I don’t much care for shop mince pies - too much thick pastry. So I rarely buy them, and certainly not yet.

I make my own*, first batch usually on 1st December - with carols playing - King’s College choir - and very likely a tot of mulled wine too. ? ?
Last year I made 4 dozen before 1st Dec, though, for Gdcs’ school Christmas fair at the end of November.

*Main reason I don’t make any until then is that dh and I would be scoffing even more! ?? Once they’re cool enough, dh will put away several of the little trad ones in no time.

Spice101

AGAA4

I used to always wait till December but now if I want a mince pie I will have it. The season is quite short anyway. I don't deny myself an odd treat at my age.

Exactly. There is no rule in life that one can only eat certain things at a certain time.
For me it is open season on things like mince pies, Christmas (fruit) cake and hot cross buns.

There is no rule, of course. But I do think that it spoils the enjoyment of each festival being different and the excitment of looking forward to certain customs, decorations, and specific foods.

As for fruit and veg, it makes total sense to eat in season as far as poss. So much better for the environment, minimum transport, etc, and it actually tastes wonderful. Give me British strawberries and cream in June, and then basta.

We love mince pies but I think I will hold off buying them till mid November or maybe until we go near a M&S as their puff pastry ones are our favourites

AGAA4

I used to always wait till December but now if I want a mince pie I will have it. The season is quite short anyway. I don't deny myself an odd treat at my age.

Exactly. There is no rule in life that one can only eat certain things at a certain time.
For me it is open season on things like mince pies, Christmas (fruit) cake and hot cross buns.

Mince pies are one of the few bakes that I still like to do, so homemade for me every time. But not until December. However, I think you should eat and enjoy any sort you like at any time you like.

We eat them whenever we feel like it. No matter the season. Sometimes home made sometimes bought, as a snack or a pudding, it matters not as my waistline can attest .

One of my pet hates! Served at every event in December!
I just feel pleased I don’t like them as they are so high in calories. Feeling pleased today as my blood sugar count has gone down below diabetes level!

Our local family run bakery sells the best mince pies I’ve ever had, but they don’t start selling them until December. We usually have a bakery treat on a Wednesday, when Mr. B collects the bread order. It’s gingerbread just now, that will change after Hallowe’en. If you fancy a mince pie then go for it!

None of the supermarket ones seem to have decent mincemeat in them...more like brown jam.

Christmas mince pies have little pastry holly leaves on. If they don't have the holly leaves on then you can eat them all year round.

We test all the mince pies - all for a good cause!! Then we know the best mince Pies to get in for Christmas!!

I make mince pies all year as my mum did having eight children she made what would all eat. She made big tray mince pie and sliced it up. I do exactly the same I don't concern myself with when it should be made we love it any time. Home made butter pastry jazzed up jars of mincemeat and dredged with icing sugar.

Ooh bring on the mince pies, I love 'em at any time of year. We eat hot cross buns all year round too.

Only homemade too!
I make in November and freeze ready for December..

Really have gone back to food in season and celebration. Strawberries in June, mincepies for Christmas, and so on.

I am happy to buy mince pies nowadays but I remember making dozens and dozens when the children did stuff at school so for the class party (x5), the cricket team, hockey, drama, brownies, guides, football teams both lots of grand parent's, a patient of DH's who always brought me a plant,the Plymouth Brethren couple next door - ooh and us - possibly!!

Only for Christmas, and home-made, with mincemeat cut with apple. Commercial mince pies are so so sickly sweet, yuk!

Mince pies are only made just before Christmas here.
And I wouldn't buy any ahead of Christmas week.

It’s early October ….. have you got the sprouts on ?presents wrapped ? Spontaneity binned ?

Aldi’s were very good last year.

I’ve not been tempted yet.

I bought Tesco’s own last week but did not think they were very good.

Prentice I have always preferred M&S but you can’t beat home made. My late Dad made scrummy ones with puff pastry.