Best mince pies for Christmas 2023 taste tested, from Waitrose to DukesHill

The humble mince pie isn’t quite a full dessert, nor is it your casual snack. A festive dessert spread often includes the likes of a chocolatey Yule log, flaming Christmas pudding and a pyramid of profiteroles, while the mince pie often serves as a post-dessert treat, alongside a warming cup of tea and a game of cards by a roaring fire.

This is not to say that the mince pie isn’t an incredibly important element of festive food preparation. Indeed, no home is complete during the festive season without at least one box of the shortcrust pastry-covered, spiced and fruity creations. When we talk about decking the halls, we mean stocking up your freezer with dozens of supermarket pies before the clock strikes midnight on December 1.

Much like hot cross buns, we may only consume this festive treat during the months of December (November too, at a push).