So... What are the best mince pies?

[DaddyCoolNippingAtYourNose]

.. and i don't mean the crappy standard ones. i mean the finest ones ever. i was always partial to tesco 'finest' and sainsbury 'taste the diff' but someone last year recommended the next step up on the posh scale to 'Duchy Originals' which i've bought but haven't tucked into yet.

which are the very very best in your opinions?

that's the third or fourth waitrose reference. i've got my colleague to pick me up some on the weekend.

don't put trinny in your name, it gets me all excited. she's one of my taboo crushes.

I like mine. I make shortcrust pastry for the bases which I put into a bun tin. Then add mincemeat. Then top with crumble mix made with flour, fat and brown sugar.

which is which? did u see them on parki?

Tescos Finest get my vote. I'm not a huge fan of mince pies but these are nice.

yes. tescos are my current favourite. very brandyish.

i didn't see trinny on parki. she floats me boat but i can't really understand why.

I think the TFinest pastry is more shortbready than most too

absolutely and i like how they are really big and flat. they're not so much deep but really saucer like and the pastry is nice and thin with plenty of filling.

I've got some shortcrust pastry in the fridge so I'm tempted to make a mince tart. Lattice tart or something like that?

This will be my first atttempt at home made mince pies. Did anyone decide which shop brand had the best mincemeat?

no, we have't covered that. so... what is the best shop bought mince meat filling everyone?

when dw made them she always went for the organic stuff. seemed to be much nicer.

I always take the mince out of the jar mix it up in a bowl and add an extra glug of brandy

ok. i made an observation last night. i was tucking into the last of my 'taste the difference' pies from sainsbaggers. i noticed that these pies have three small holes poked in the top. these holes allow just the right amount of cream inside said pie and make the inside all gooey and creamy. i enjoyed this particular feature and i must say, it looks like the 'taste the diff' pies may be back in the running for UK's best mince pie. i apologise, i did not previously notice this feature on this pie.

you have OPD

obsessive pie disorder

it's very rare. you must have had previous experience with OPD to identify the signs so quickly Enid

yes. last christmas was a terrible time. I suffered hugely.

pregnancy has staved off the worst of the symptoms this year although I am strangely drawn to this thread...

i feel your pain.

isnt the hole to let the air out when they cook?

i LOVE Sayers mince pies as they are soooo tasty as im abit fussy on mince pies as they gotta taste right and they are gorgeous

i second Asda "Extra special" mincepies as they were sssooo tasty too!

GAM - it looks as though the holes serve two purposes. the tescos ones don't have any holes at all and if you leave them in the microwave too long they gloop out the sides.

hmmm asda. we don't have an asda. I'd have to drive to coventry. hmmm... i wonder if i could send one of my people.... lol

I've arranged delivery of the Asda pies! LOL. Colleague will pick some up tomorrow.

i've got my french colleague (who only shops at waitrose because she thinks the other supermarkets sell 'english swill') getting me the waitrose ones. i've already got some sainsbaggers, tescos and duchy ones so i'll sit down and try each in turn.

My name's Rainbow Walker and I'm a seasonal Pieaholic...

I'm also a long-term sufferer of the little-known condition OHXB disorder... (obsessive hot cross bun disorder)

M&S Luxury all the way DC

... join our group and share your pain. open your heart and let the love and healing in.

ROFL @ seasonalpieaholic

I bought 2 boxes of the Finest ones last night. DH and I ate one box last night

oink

so true, DC.