They’ve been on quite a journey to arrive at where we are today. In the Tudor period, they were rectangular in shape and made with actual meat as well as the dried fruit and spices with which we are familiar. During the Civil War, they were frowned upon for their links to Catholicism and some say Oliver Cromwell banned them. The Victorians dropped the meat and fashioned them into a small, sweet treat.
Mince pies are imbued with tradition and superstition. It is said that if you are making your own mincemeat, you should only stir it in one direction: clockwise. You should make a wish as you eat your first mince pie of the year. You should never cut one with a knife.
Rather like Christmas cake, plum pudding or Bailey’s on ice, you don’t actually have to like mince pies to find yourself indulging in them over the festive season. According to Good Housekeeping, we consume 800 million in the UK each year.
The humble treat is more divisive than you might think, too. The Reverend Richard Coles says: ‘I remember in one parish a terrible row over the ideal size of mince pies.’
Indeed. Should they be a standard size or mini? Boozy or straight? With cream or without? Accompanied by a cup of tea or by a glass of fizz? Warmed in the oven or eaten straight from the packet?
In any case, if you know you are going to tuck into a few, they might as well be the most delicious ones available at the best price.
Here, we’ve scoured the high street and combed the mince-pie reviews of the nation’s finest supermarkets, so that you can get it right first time.
Sainsbury’s
Taste The Difference Mini Mince Pies, £2.25
BEST FOR: ALL-ROUND BRILLIANCE
All-butter mini pastry pies with a mincemeat and brandy filling.
We say: Small but perfectly formed, these morsels will perk up a winter’s afternoon and won’t break the bank.
M&S Collection
Six Mince Pies, £3
RUNNER UP: ALL-ROUND BRILLIANCE
Melt-in-the-mouth all-butter shortcrust pastry, deep filled with mincemeat containing dried vine fruits, glacé cherries, cranberries, brandy, cider, clementine juice and Cognac.
We say: These are utterly delicious but lose points for higher price.
Tesco Finest
Crumble Top Minced Pies, £2.25
BEST FOR: SERVING AS A PUDDING
All-butter pastry packed with a delicious mix of plump vine fruits, Napoleon glace cherries, festive spices and citrus peel. Infused with Cognac, brandy and port for a deeper flavour, topped with an all-butter crumble.
We say: The crumble top adds festive flair and elevates these mince pies from a snack to an actual dessert.
Lidl Deluxe
Luxury Mini Mince Pies, £1.99
BEST FOR: BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Crumbly, all-butter shortcrust pastry cases generously deep filled with lightly spiced mincemeat laced with cognac and finished with a sweet dusting.
We say: Lidl’s offering is delicious and, with 12 pies in a packet, plentiful.
Co-Op
Six Mince Pies, £1
RUNNER UP: BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
Shortcrust pastry filled with mincemeat made from sultanas, raisins, mixed peel and spices and sprinkled with sugar.
We say: The least expensive on our list, these lost points for dreary packaging.
Heston From Waitrose
Spiced Mince Pies With A Lemon Twist, £3.50
BEST FOR: INVENTIVE TWIST
Mince pies made with spiced shortcrust pastry, richly fruited mincemeat, lemon curd and a zesty all-butter crumble topping.
We say: Our most expensive entry, these are not your common or garden mince pie. They are truly something else.
Morrisons
Free From Mince Pies, £1.99
BEST FOR: FREE FROM
Gluten, milk and wheat-free pastry filled with rich mincemeat made from juicy vine fruit and festive spices.
We say: This is a valiant attempt to bring Christmas treats to the “free from” brigade.
By Becky Ladenburg
November 2022
