Mince Pies Reimagined

For many people, the first mince pie of the season, maybe picked up casually from the supermarket from the Christmas stand in November, or bought from the local baker, is the first taste of what Christmas will have to offer this year.  There’s nothing like them – the unique combination of flavours and textures – the spices which say Christmas is coming – and the beginning of indulgence as you lather on the whipped cream or add custard for a dessert.

It seems so strange that mince pies started out as “mincemeat pies” – a mixture of meats and sweet treats such as dried fruit.  The meat has not survived, but the classic spices have – the flavours of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg representing, according to the antiquarian John Timms writing in 1866, a “ token of the offerings of the Eastern Magi”.  So our humble mince pie has a connection with the story of the Three Wise Men bringing Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh on the first Christmas.

But heres’ the thing about mince pies – not everyone actually likes the traditional flavour, and just like in recent years hot cross buns have come in all kinds of weird varieties from Earl Grey Tea to chocolate chip, there have been many efforts to reimagine the humble mince pie for the modern palate.  Let’s look at a few.

Chocolate and Sour Cherry

This take on a mince pie from Heston at Waitrose has divided opinions.  While many people like the chocolate cherry hit, a lot of mince lovers don’t like the strange mix of flavours and dryness of the whole experience.  Our verdict:

If you love mince pies: 

If you hate mince pies:

Almond Topped

As you’d expect from Fortnum and Mason, the almond topped mince pie contains great quality filling with the addition of a crunchy almond lid.  You also get a nice hit of brandy on the inside.

Top tip: buy them off season for £1!

If you love mince pies:

If you hate mince pies:

Frangipane

A popular alternative available from Marks & Spencer, these combine the nice flavour of a frangipane sponge with the more traditional mincemeat filling.  Sweet and great with custard.  However, these are heavy on the frangipane and light on the  mince pie, so lovers of tradition may give these a miss.

If you love mince pies:

If you hate mince pies:

Chocolate Orange

Chocolate Orange is a classic combination, especially welcome at Christmas.  This offering from Lidls is sweet and orangey, but again light on the mincemeat so more of a substitute than anything.  Popular with the children though!

If you love mince pies:

If you hate mince pies:

Rhubarb and Stem Ginger

Another classic combination, this time from Tescos.   A nice hint of Christmassy spice but concentrating on rhubarb as the fruit rather than traditional mincemeat.  These go well with a sweet sherry and are particularly nice with clotted cream.

If you love mince pies:

If you hate mince pies: