A recent casual survey among my peers indicated that a notable portion of younger people in the UK express a strong aversion to mince pies. My typical response is, “You simply haven’t tried a good one yet,” before I offer them my homemade rendition, which boasts flaky, buttery crusts brimming with succulent currants. It’s worth noting that the abundance of mediocre mince pies available in stores has caused many to dismiss their potential enjoyment.numerous retailers seem to prioritize affordability and shelf stability over quality when it comes to these holiday delicacies—though I must confess that I still treat myself to several during the festive season.
This past experience likely explains why I’ve encountered so many lackluster versions over time; however,as I embark on this tasting journey with the ever-enthusiastic professional baker Benjamina Ebuehi, I’m resolute to concentrate on the positives. After all, I wouldn’t want her thinking I’m a Grinch!
As we evaluate our selections, we agree that our perfect mince pie should have a crisp golden pastry and an authentically fruity filling. While my focus tends toward boozy flavors more than Benjamina’s aesthetic sensibilities—typical for someone with her design background—we feel like an effective duo as we gear up for our tasting escapade.
Best Mince Pies from Supermarkets
Top Pick/Best Value:
Mr Kipling Signature All Butter Mince Pies
Benjamina Ebuehi: These are surprisingly wide but not excessively deep—a delightful surprise! The pastry is beautifully baked with an appealing color compared to others we’ve sampled; however, there may be just a tad too much apple flavor for my liking. ★★★★☆
Felicity Cloake: Visually appealing even from below! the pastry is crisp but somewhat lacking in flavor; concurrently,the filling offers lovely citrus notes without any unpleasant sourness along with a subtle hint of alcohol—a nice chunky texture complemented by chewy peel makes this pie enjoyable overall.★★★★☆
Alternative selections …
Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference All Butter Mince Pies
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‘£3 .50for six at Sainsbury’s (£58 p each)
< strong > BE :The appearance is lovely but could benefit from darker tops; while there’s an evident buttery flavor present here it feels somewhat artificial upon tasting it—the texture leaves something desired as well as it’s rather pasty overall.< em > ★★★☆☆
< strong > FC :The top appears quite light while edges have some crunchiness which adds interest even though there’s an artificial butter essence reminiscent of ghee present throughout—only half-filled resulting mostly jammy content lacking whole fruit pieces yet flavors remain decent enough being both boozy & peppery accompanied by orange undertones! ★★★☆☆
Morrisons Best Signature Collection Mince Pies
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