- FEMAIL sampled a selection of mince pies from the UK’s supermarkets
- READ MORE: Suffolk bakery stuns customers with cost of mince pies
Festive jingles are roaring across the supermarket aisles, cinnamon is floating through seasonal treats and shoppers are already trying to get their hands on a turkey for Christmas.
The Yuletide is well and truly upon us, and with the big day only days away, many will be sampling the best mince pies to stock up on.
With classic selections on offer as well as quirky alternatives – topped with icing or Ballycastle (a cream liqueur) – it can be tough to wade through the options.
Earlier this month, consumer group Which? tasked an expert panel to give their verdicts on which ones you should be popping into your shopping basket, and which ones are best left on the shelf.
Their winner, which got the Best Buy recommendation, was Waitrose’s No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac.
Elsewhere, Aldi’s Specially Selected Mince Pies got a Great Value endorsement from the group.
The judge line-up was made up of four baking experts: Bake Off: The Professionals 2022 winner Nathan Rave, Great British Bake Off 2010 winner Edd Kimber, award winning baker and food writer Dan Lepard and pastry chef and author Shaheen Peerbhai.
Here, Femail tastes 29 mince pies to reveal which are worth a spot of the Christmas table, and which are best left on the shelf…
Best mince pies (in supermarkets)
Lidl Deluxe Six All Butter Mince Pies
£1.99 for six
Rating:
The beauty of this pie lies in its wonderful shortcrust pastry, which is perfectly smooth and buttery. The quality of it feels premium, both stable and silky. It is the perfect vessel for the nicely flavoured mincemeat filling, which is not too sweet and packs a nice punch.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The beauty of this pie lies in its wonderful shortcrust pastry, which is perfectly smooth and buttery, Elmira says
Aldi Specially Selected Ballycastle Mince Pies
£2.59 for six
Rating:
These are always a crowd-pleaser and for a good reason. The soft creamy topping perfectly accentuates the mincemeat filling. Neither flavour overpowers the other, and the textures are non-combative, working well with one another. The pastry was also delicious and held its structural integrity despite the hefty filling.
– Elmira Tanatarova
Elmira says that these are always a crowd-pleaser and for a good reason. The soft creamy topping perfectly accentuates the mincemeat filling
Asda Puff Pastry Mince Pies
£1.35 for four
Rating:
The puff pastry in this was delightfully soft and airy, and teamed with the crunchy sugar on top, made for the perfect complement to the mincemeat. It’s a lovely palate cleanser for those of us who may be stuffed to the brim with shortcrust and want something a bit more flaky, that is still festive.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The puff pastry in this was delightfully soft and airy, and teamed with the crunchy sugar on top, made for the perfect complement to the mincemeat, Elmira said
Asda Exceptional Luxury Mince Pies
£2.75 for six
Rating:
I was pleasantly surprised by these mince pies. They were nicely filled and the mincemeat was really tasty with a good amount of fruit and I thought the pies were a generous size. The box disappeared very quickly indeed and they definitely wouldn’t be out of place if they were stocked in M&S or Waitrose.
– Eleanor Dye
They were nicely filled and the mincemeat was really tasty with a good amount of fruit, says Eleanor
Aldi Specially Selected All Butter Mince Pies
£1.49 for six
Aldi is known for making flavourful offerings which still fit the budget and this is no different. The mince pies look lovely and the pastry is soft without breaking apart when you hold it. The mincemeat is delicious and not too sweet – the additions of cognac, port and cider enhance but don’t overwhelm the festive flavour. They are also the perfect size – not too big nor too small.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The mince pies look lovely and the pastry is soft without breaking apart when you hold it, Elmira says
Iceland Cathedral City Our Cheddar & Chutney Mince Pies
£3 for six
Rating:
These were absolutely delicious, and a very clever way to bring a mince pie quality to a savoury bite. The mincemeat presence still feels like it’s there with the fruity chutney, but the cheesiness is perfectly distributed through the puffed pastry. It feels festive, indulgent, and perfect warmed up.
– Elmira Tanatarova
These were absolutely delicious, and a very clever way to bring a mince pie quality to a savoury bite, Elmira said
Iceland Luxury Butter Mince Pies
£3 for six
Rating:
I gently heated these up and they were absolutely blissful to taste. The pastry is the perfect balance of buttery but crusty, and doesn’t fall apart when you hold it. The filling is nicely balanced but not too tart. A great option if you – like me – are not a fan of things that are too sweet.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The pastry is the perfect balance of buttery but crusty, and doesn’t fall apart when you hold it, Elmira said
Iceland 4 Caramel Crumble Mince Pies
£3 for four
Rating:
These were absolutely delicious, but it feels deceitful to call them mince pies as there is very little that is ‘mincey’ about them. It is a perfectly biscuity base with a caramel filling which is always bound to be a crowd pleaser – especially for fussy eaters who can’t stand mincemeat. However, not one for traditionalists!
– Elmira Tanatarova
These were absolutely delicious, but it feels deceitful to call them mince pies as there is very little that is ‘mincey’ about them, Elmira said
Asda Exceptional Frangipane Mince Pie Slices
£2.50 for four
Rating:
I really enjoyed this innovative take on the mince pie with the added frangipane. You can definitely taste the added brandy, port and orange oil, so if you’re all mince-pied out this Christmas, this could be a good option to mix things up. I did think it was a bit far to shoehorn mince pie into the name however – they were tasty, but if you’re looking for a classic mince pie-based treat, you could end up being disappointed. If you’re after a classic mince pie I would stick to what you know.
– Eleanor Dye
Eleanor says that if you’re all mince-pied out this Christmas, this could be a good option to mix things up
Asda Exceptional Whisky Fig & Spiced Honey Mince Pies
£2.50 for four
Rating:
These made for an absolutely delicious bite that felt like a festive hug. The whisky flavour send a lovely warmth throughout the pie but doesn’t overwhelm it. The mincemeat works in perfect harmony with the fig infusion and the nutty crunchiness added throughout. The pastry is perfect, and soft.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The whisky flavour send a lovely warmth throughout the pie but doesn’t overwhelm it, Elmira says
Tesco Finest Mince Pies
£1.50 for six (Clubcard price)
Rating:
Tesco has once again outdone itself with its Finest Mince Pies, delivering a taste of Christmas that feels indulgent and luxurious. These festive treats are a triumph, boasting a buttery, golden pastry that crumbles perfectly with every bite. The filling—a delightful blend of rich, spiced mincemeat—is infused with hints of citrus, warming brandy, and a medley of seasonal spices, creating a flavor profile that evokes the joy of the holidays.
The pies are finished with a dusting of sugar that adds a touch of sweetness. Enjoyed alongside a steaming cup of tea it was the perfect midweek sweet treat. They are a quintessential Christmas indulgence.
But, while the flavor is undeniably delicious, the filling-to-pastry ratio could be improved.
– Chloe Louise
These festive treats are a triumph, boasting a buttery, golden pastry that crumbles perfectly with every bite, says Chloe
Co-op Irresistible All Butter Pastry Luxury Mince Pies
£2.50 for six
Rating:
These Co-op mince pies were tasty and won me over with the filling, which was spiced perfectly. The pastry was nice if not a touch too crumbly, but it was accentuated perfectly with the mincemeat which was fragrant, sweet and delightfully tangy. While it made a little bit of a mess, it was very worth it.
– Elmira Tanatarova
These Co-op mince pies were tasty and won Elmira over with the filling, which was ‘spiced perfectly’
Pret mince pie
£2.75 for one
Rating:
It’s not strictly a supermarket, but the Pret mince pie served as a lovely treat to buy on your lunch break this year. The pastry feels fresh and wholesome and the mincemeat is portioned perfectly, as not to overwhelm the whole pie. The dusting of powdered sugar is generous and the sweet star shape on top is a cute touch. However, it’s a touch pricey for such a small snack.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The pastry feels fresh and wholesome and the mincemeat is portioned perfectly, as not to overwhelm the whole pie, Elmira says
Waitrose No.1 Brown Butter Mince Pies with Cognac
£4 for six via Ocado
Rating:
These are delicious, and perfectly held together by the soft, buttery pastry. The mincemeat is lovely and not too moist nor too dry, and delightfully fragrant. However, the packaging doesn’t lie when it says ‘with Cognac’. The boozy addition does indeed pack a punch, and can very strongly be tasted throughout.
Elmira says the packaging doesn’t lie when it says ‘with Cognac’. The boozy addition does indeed pack a punch
Marks & Spencer Collection Mince Pies
£4 for six via Ocado
Rating:
I’m not a huge fan of mince pies, but these were enjoyable! For those who like strong flavours in the mincemeat, perhaps look elsewhere, because the filling was lightly spiced and more fruity – making them a better bet for the sceptics. The pastry was buttery, but a little on the dry side. Depending on how big of a sweet tooth you have, I’d say they’re best served hot with custard, just to add that extra bit of sugariness.
– Alanah Khosla
For those who like strong flavours in the mincemeat, perhaps look elsewhere, because the filling was lightly spiced and more fruity, Alanah advised
Sainsbury’s Mince Pies
£1.70 for six
Rating:
These Sainsbury’s mince pies were nice enough but I just felt like they were missing something to make them truly exceptional. I felt like there was a lot of air in the actual mince pie which felt a bit stingy, although what I did eat was perfectly nice. They’re a good option if you’re looking for a standard mince pie, but don’t expect to have your socks blown off.
– Eleanor Dye
Eleanor said that these Sainsbury’s mince pies were nice enough – but it felt like they were missing something to make them truly exceptional
Marks & Spencer Six All Butter Mince Pies
£2.75 for six
Rating:
These struck the right chord, but struggled to stand out in any exceptional way. The pastry was nice and sweet, and the filling was a good texture but I found the flavours didn’t stand out and everything was a touch bland altogether. However, it is a perfectly serviceable pie and would go down lovely with a cup of tea.
– Elmira Tanatarova
The pastry was nice and sweet, and the filling was a good texture but Elmira found the flavours didn’t stand out
Co-op Bakery Shortcrust Mince Pies
£1.60 for four
Rating:
These treats were nice overall, but I struggled with the pastry which I felt was running away from me at times. It was soft, but at times too crumbly and when the pie itself is quite hefty, it can make for an inconvenient bite. However, the flavours overall were sweet and teamed well with a fragrant mincemeat.
Morrisons The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies
£2.75 for six
While the pastry on these festive pies was nice and soft (although at times too crumbly), the filling fell a little bit flat. The mincemeat was sweet, but could have done with a tangier feel to it to bring a more fragrant punch to the treat. However, I would overall recommend it as the shortcrust does a nice job of elevating the pie to a delicious bite.
While the pastry on these festive pies was nice and soft (although at times too crumbly), the filling fell a little bit flat, Elmira says
Waitrose No.1 Crumble Top Mince Pies with Cranberry & Orange
Rating:
£4 for four
While these are more akin to a biscuit than a mince pie – they are a delicious combination of both. It’s a perfect offering for those who may dislike the softness and crumbliness or a traditional mince pie, but still maintains that festive flavour. The cranberry and orange flavour however could have been stronger, as it didn’t feel like it added much to the mincemeat.
– Elmira Tanatarova
It’s a perfect offering for those who may dislike the softness and crumbliness or a traditional mince pie, Elmira said
Aldi Holly Lane Deep Filled Mince Pies
£1.25 for six
Rating:
These were tasty, but a touch dry and shy on the filling. They would have benefitted from a softer pastry or more plentiful allocation of mincemeat. However, they are otherwise lovely with a cup of tea.
– Elmira Tanatarova
These were tasty, but a touch dry and shy on the filling, Elmira said in her review of the pies
ASDA Festive Mince Pie & Custard Tart
£5
Rating:
This combination sort of feels like it shouldn’t work, and yet, it does. The mincemeat doesn’t overpower the custard – however, this means there is a little too much aftertaste and sweetness all going on at the same time. However, it’s a great idea that softens up the mincemeat and lends to a more shareable format.
– Elmira Tanatarova
This combination sort of feels like it shouldn’t work, and yet, it does. The mincemeat doesn’t overpower the custard – however, this means there is a little too much aftertaste, Elmira says
Worst mince pies (in supermarkets)
Tesco Finest 4 Rich Plum & Port Mince Pies
£1.75 for four (Clubcard price)
Rating:
Tesco’s Finest Mulled and Fruity Mince Pies (4 Pack) promise a festive treat, but unfortunately, they fall short in execution. The pastry, touted as buttery, is overly so, with a grainy texture that detracts from the overall experience. Rather than being light and crumbly, it feels heavy and dense, leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.
The filling, infused with mulled fruit, also disappoints. While it has a promising hint of spice, it leans too heavily into bitterness, overshadowing the traditional sweetness of a mince pie. The combination of dried fruits and spices feels unbalanced, with the bitter undertones dominating the more delicate flavors.
Though the pies are visually appealing and offer a seasonal twist, they miss the mark in both texture and taste. Tesco’s Finest range usually promises a premium experience, but this version doesn’t quite deliver.
– Chloe Louise
Tesco’s Finest Mulled and Fruity Mince Pies (4 Pack) promise a festive treat, but unfortunately, they fall short in execution, said Chloe
Co-op Irresistible Blood Orange and Chocolate Frangipane Mince Pies
£2.50 for four
Rating:
Although they look like a treat, the taste of these premium priced mince pies is rather disappointing. I am not sure blood orange goes well in a mince pie, along with the chocolate frangipane which was quite dry.
A frangipane should be rather moist and almondy. The orange was also very overpowering, which meant it was the only thing you could taste – despite it having port and brandy inside. I think this recipe may need a rethink – but the pastry on the other hand was a good consistency and not too crumbly.
– Gina Kalsi
Gina said although they look like a treat, the taste of these premium priced mince pies is rather disappointing
Deep Filled Mince Pies by Amazon Our Selection
Rating:
£2.80 for 6
The Amazon mince pies come in attractive packaging that catches the eye, but also not overdoing. However, the pastry leaves much to be desired, feeling a bit soggy and lacking the rich, buttery flavour found in other brands. Despite this, the filling is a standout feature, tasting fresh with a good blend of warm spices and a generous boozy kick. With the filling outshining the pastry it feels that there is no good balance between the two components of the mince pie. If you prioritize filling over pastry, these mince pies might be worth a try and you might be in for a boozy surprise.
– Alice Wade
The pastry leaves much to be desired, feeling a bit soggy and lacking the rich, buttery flavour found in other brands, Alice said
Iceland Luxury Frangipane Mince Pies
Rating:
£3 for 6
These were, sadly, unbearably dry. They fare much better heated up than they do cold – and can be made tasty with a cup of tea or coffee at the ready – but on their own are a touch too crumbly. However, the flavour is quite nicely balanced and not too sweet.
– Elmira Tanatarova
These were, sadly, unbearably dry. They fare much better heated up than they do cold – and can be made tasty with a cup of tea or coffee at the ready – but on their own are a touch too crumbly, Elmira said
Iceland Chocolate Caramel Crumble Mince Pies
Rating:
£3 for 4
These pies’ non-chocolate cousin is a much better pick – as these ended up feeling too bulky and the chocolate flavour overwhelmed on top of the caramel. While they are a fun option for someone who wants to be part of the mince pie fun without committing to mincemeat, there are better alternatives at Iceland.
– Elmira Tanatarova
These pies’ non-chocolate cousin is a much better pick – as these ended up feeling too bulky and the chocolate flavour overwhelmed on top of the caramel, Elmira said
Marks & Spencer Iced Topped Mince Pies
£2.75 for six via Ocado
Rating:
Unfortunately this selection, which aimed to spruce up the traditional mincemeat filling with icing. However, while I think the aim was an admirable attempt to recreate wedding cake, the execution was a chalky mixture that didn’t work together at all. The icing was much too similar in texture to the dried fruit, and instead of complementing it, harshly fought against one another. Perhaps this could have worked better if there was a drizzling of icing instead of a thick layer of fondant.
– Elmira Tanatarova
. Perhaps this could have worked better if there was a drizzling of icing instead of a thick layer of fondant, Elmira says
Morrisons The Best Cherry Bakewell Mince Pies
£2.75 for four
Rating:
Unfortunately, these were very underwhelming. I’m not a traditional mince pie lover, so I was excited to try these.
It’s a nice concept, but it seems the recipe needs rethink as the party is way too crumbly and not buttery at all. The frangipane was extremely dry and not rich and almondy like you would expect in a normal cherry Bakewell.
The filling did not pack a flavour punch like expected.
– Gina Kalsi
Gina said it’s a nice concept, but it seems the recipe needs rethink as the party is way too crumbly and not buttery at all
ASDA Exceptional Frangipane & Amaretto Mince Pies
£2.50 for four
Rating:
It is tough to make frangipane work with mince pies, and unfortunately this was not a success.
There was nothing moist enough to help the almondy texture not feel dry, so everything felt a bit chalky on top the pastry as well.
– Elmira Tanatarova
It is tough to make frangipane work with mince pies, and unfortunately this was not a success, Elmira said