Forum Topic

Mince pies - advice please.

Which shop/store sells the very best mince pies please?  And for those who like to make their own mince pies, who stocks the best mince pie filling? Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4138d21 Comments

Yes it is Phil but I was disappointed on Friday as tey had sold out.

Nigel Brooks ● 4131d

I'm late to this thread - every year some newspaper or another does a taste test of various Christmas products.A google search shows this Good Housekeeping survey reported in The Telegraph:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/christmas-food-and-drink/11190615/Best-Christmas-food-Iceland-for-mince-pies-Asda-for-stuffing.htmlIceland's offering at £1.50 for 6 pies seems to have won comfortably. Nigel - interesting what you say about various stollens.  I'm two-thirds of the way through my Lidl version,  at £1.99 for 750g and was just thinking it might not have enough marzipan!Is it worth the trip to Aldi in Hounslow to get their stollen?

Phil Kay ● 4131d

Ja, Gerry ALDI ist ein Deutscher Supermarkt wie LIDL und ihre Stollen ist wunderbar!

Nigel Brooks ● 4132d

Had an M&S mince pie tonight and it was too sweet.  The best ones I think are home made but I'm not very good at getting round to making them.  As they are so rich I like to make mini ones and to add extra apple.  My mother in law used to put some apricot in the bottom under the mince meat.  Another friend puts a teaspoon of cream cheese in and I notice that Waitrose have a recipe in their free Christmas booklet with tangerine or satsuma added.Perhaps I'll try lifting the lids on some bought ones and customising them!

Philippa Bond ● 4132d

Haven't tried Aldi for stollen cake. Am I right in thinking Aldi is a German company? If so, they'll probably know a good stollen from indifferent ones. Btw, Christmas in our family always means we have stollen cake all Christmas season. Yes, the marzipan must be used sparingly and not dominate the various sweet mixtures.

Gerry Tan ● 4133d

For stolen it's Aldi every time, the others use far too much marzipan.

Nigel Brooks ● 4133d

Plum Duff bakery in Chiswick best of the lot imo.

Keith Iddon ● 4133d

Thanks Bob, we bought 6 mince pies from Parkers in Northfield Ave and they were very good and we bought 6 from good old M&S and they were all butter ones and were marginally better. We don't like Tescos mince pies.BTW, who sells the best stollen cake?

Gerry Tan ● 4133d

Try Parkers Bakery in Northfield Avenue, made on the premises and freshly baked, you can smell them as you walk passed the shop.

Bob Little ● 4134d

Even better when you also give homemade Sloe / Damson Gin!

Jane Reynolds ● 4137d

That's a good idea for personal Christmas gifts to friends and family - in fact to anyone - thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4137d

I've made my own mincemeat for the first time ever and it is very simple and so satisfying. I used Delia's recipe and now have 17 jars of mincemeat in my basement; some of which will be used as presents and the rest can be kept for up to 3 years if stored in a cool dark place. I doubt I will be buying mincemeat from a shop ever again!

Jane Reynolds ● 4137d

Our house, homemade filling and pies.

Graham Weeks ● 4137d

"...our favourite is the grand mariner"Wow, hello sailor!Thanks Christina, your homemade mincepie filling sounds delicious - must try Mary Berry's looks good.

Gerry Tan ● 4137d

Delicious...but deadly to dogs

David P Archer ● 4137d

Gerrywe've been experimenting and making our own mincemeat this year because my husband doesn't like cloves and I don't like candied peel.Making your own is really easy and we adapted Dehlia's recipe and Mary Berry's. (links below). You can add more of what you like and an extra tot of booze won't go amiss. The fun part about making your own is deciding which alcohol to use. We've divided up our mixture into eight jars and tried gin, cointreau, port, pedro Ximinez (sherry), Marsala and rum.So, far our favourite is the grand mariner.Mincemeat keeps for ages, in theory. But, the big problem though is you'll find your own mincemeat is so much better than the shop bought stuff - that you'll have trouble getting it in the jars. It smells wonderful and you make it and warm it through. We've even heated up a portion in the microwave and serves with ice-cream for a quick and tasty pudding.I'm also tempted to try thesehttp://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4856/little-eccles-mince-pieshttp://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/mincemeat/home-made-christmas-mincemeat.htmlhttp://www.maryberry.co.uk/recipes/christmas/special-mincemeatChristina

Christina Fox ● 4137d

According to the Daily Mail, Iceland's mince pies beat most of the (much more expensive competition). Worth a try! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2810340/1-50-Iceland-mince-pies-beat-Harrods-Budget-version-praised-buttery-pastry-fruity-filling-blind-taste-tests-year-s-Christmas-food.html

Rosie Blair ● 4137d

Ah, not a fan of most mince pies, Gerry, as I find them overly sweet, so I couldn't recommend anywhere local!Re mince pie filling, I've made this a few times http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/home-made-christmas-mincemeat-with-cranberries.html - it's quite tart (I also cut the sugar down a bit), and keeps pretty much forever!

Ann Haddleton ● 4137d

Plum Duff in Chiswick every time for me.

Keith Iddon ● 4137d

Thanks Ann, but I meant which shop in Ealing?And how do you make your own mince pie filling - I mean the ingredients please? And for how long will it keep? Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4138d

These are (apparently) the best in London:http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/restaurants/londons-best-mince-pies-9894955.htmlBrompton Food Market (on the list) is also selling 'old fashioned' mince pies, made with mutton and porter!As for the best mince pie filling - making your own  :)

Ann Haddleton ● 4138d