How many kinds of mince pies have you sampled so far?

I don’t like fancy mince pies such as all butter or ones with icing on the top . I’ve had 3 this year so far and rate them as follows-
3. Asda basic mince pies
2. Morrisons puff pastry mince pies
1. Costco mince pies
The Costco ones have a layer of sponge on top of the mincemeat and I love them with custard .

I do make some with my own pastry and bought mincemeat the week leading up to Christmas which I take into work to share at break.Up to then it’s bought ones, and since there are lots of variations it’s nice to try them all out.😋

I’ve not eaten a mince pie yet, not because it’s too early but rather that I haven’t got round to either buying or making any yet. I usually make some nearer Christmas, but have varied results - sometimes the pastry is light and crumbly, other times it’s as hard as a brick. One of the best recipes I tried used a shortbread type dough - they were delicious, but oh, so naughty being laden with so much fat (butter in the shortbread pastry and suet in the mincemeat). Still, as I only make them at Christmas, an occasional one is a treat.

Maybe I should seek out a recipe for mincemeat that doesn’t contain suet - is there such a recipe? If there is, I imagine it would want using up quite quickly. I’ll do an internet search 😋

I had one on Sunday, at my son’s house. It was yummy 😋

Thanks to all for joining in The GreatMincePie debate 😂even the MincePieGrinches.
I’d forgotten the commandment on a stone tablet that says ‘thou shalt not touch a mince pie until it be the second week in December’🤭
Also thanks for the recommendations to mince pies I haven’t tried as yet.It won’t be long yeah, to quote a Beatles song.

None. I don’t like them. Though I’ve tried and tried. Homemade, fancy , posh. There’s something about mincemeat that sets my teeth on edge. They always look so delicious I have a bit of FOMO every year, but now I’ve been diagnosed with coeliac disease they join the list of foods that are off limits to me anyway.

The co op bakery shortcrust mince pies in packs of 4 are great.

Molly New, I’m still buying Hot Cross Buns (Aldi) - bought more yesterday!
I also like Aldi’s Specially Selected Mince Pies (£1.49 or thereabouts)

Bazza

I tried the Waitrose limoncello mince pies having been seduced by their Christmas food magazine and they were delicious. Big golden raisins which I particularly like.

I’ve just finished mine, as I’m not a big fan of mince pies, but was tempted by these.
They were delicious ( all four of them)

My go-to mince pies are Lidl's Favorina vegan ones. Every year I stock up, but I'm lucky if they last into the New Year. Being dairy-free is so hard at Christmas They aren't the best around, but I have tasted far worse. The pastry is a bit doughy rather than crumbly, but I can't be bothered to warm them properly in the oven. I find they are quite sweet, but a little soya "cream" helps.

None - I don’t like them unless they are home made! )and I don’t make them) Am I the only one?
Shop bought are horrendous

Made the first batch last week, for a family supper. Using Nigella's pastry recipe ( would recommend) and home made mincemeat, went down a treat, had to have a couple (to test of course) must say they were scrummy, especially topped with homemade brandy butter !! Yes I am a Slimming World member but still within target.

Mince pies are for Christmas (it’s not even Advent yet!) and Hot Cross Buns are for Good Friday. No wonder kids are confused about the festivals!

I only like mince pies I have made! It’s my own mincemeat. I’ve tried a variety of different toppings - frangipane, crumble, etc
And any pastry item ALWAYS has to be warmed - never cold!!!

Thanks BAZZA. Will try Waitrose as spent some yrs in Sicily so Limoncello mince pies appeal

Oreo…have you tried Greggs? They are the best. I’m not sure if they are on sale yet. I do know that once Christmas is over they no longer sell them. Which is a good thing for us!

Uk Newbie here!! Hello. Havent concluded my mince pie tests but have found my go-to topping. Marks extra thick cream with Calvados. Gorgeous & equals discontinued Prosecco cream IMHO

I tried the Waitrose limoncello mince pies having been seduced by their Christmas food magazine and they were delicious. Big golden raisins which I particularly like.

None. Don't like them. Should be banned.

I agree shop bought ones usually have far too much pastry for my liking. I do make my own, about the only thing I bake these days, but too early yet! I always add a teaspoonful of cooked Bromley apple and half a teaspoonful of ground almonds on top of the mincemeat before adding the lid, delicious!

A timely post. Had my first one yesterday as DGS has been asking for some for ages. We were in the Coop so picked up their cheapest version. Surprisingly good.

Seriously mince pies are one of the most unhealthy foods you can eat- but I do love them.

How do you work that one out, keepingquiet?

They're not exactly healthy, but 'one of the most unhealthy'?

MollyNew

Oreo Sainsbury's in a box or from the bakery? Warm with creme fraiche is also good.

We start taste testing mince pies in November and my other half would eat hot cross buns all year round if he could.

My DH does eat Hot Cross buns all year round!
Re mince pies, had my first one this pre-Christmas* this morning, Morrisons own from the bakery pack of six, can recommend.
I noted that one of the six had disappeared overnight, DH confessed to 3am hunger pangs.
What came first, the hunger pangs or the siren call of the mince pies I don’t know ;)

*I call it pre Christmas as I can’t say ‘this year’, as we were still eating them last February.

M0nica your DD sounds like a Christmas treasure. Your mention of jam tarts has reminded me of my dear late mum's jam tarts which were such a treat when we were kids.

Supermarket mincepies, are all, no matter how highly rated, well below the standard of my DD's minced pies in a sweetcrust pastry, filled with home made mince meat.

No we live close, supermarket mince pies are banished. She is set to make batches whenever we need them. Not that she eats them herself, she does not like food 'with bits in', which therefore excludes all dried fruit dishes. But she loves coking and every batch of mince pies includes a tray of jam tarts for her.