The Ultimate Festive Treat That Defines British Christmas
Few foods capture the magic of Christmas quite like the humble mince pie. But when made properly — buttery, golden, generously filled and beautifully spiced — they become something truly unforgettable. This recipe combines soft, melt-in-the-mouth shortcrust pastry with the rich, warming flavour of Chef’s Selections Mincemeat (3kg) from Nicol Retailer Limited. It creates bakery-quality mince pies perfect for gifting, serving, or enjoying fresh from the oven.
Whether you’re celebrating National Mince Pie Day on December 13th or preparing for festive gatherings, this recipe brings together tradition, luxury, and irresistible Christmas flavour in every bite.
The History of Mince Pies — A British Christmas Icon
Mince pies have been part of British festive traditions for over 600 years. Originally made with minced meat, dried fruits and warming spices brought back from the Middle East during the Crusades, they evolved throughout the centuries into the sweet, fruit-rich pies we know today.
By Victorian times, mince pies had become a symbol of generosity and celebration — served warm at festive gatherings and gifted as a gesture of love and good fortune. Today, over 200 million mince pies are eaten in the UK every year. This makes them one of the nation’s most cherished seasonal bakes.
National Mince Pie Day — A Celebration of Festive Baking
National Mince Pie Day, celebrated in the UK every year on 12 December, is a joyful tribute to one of Britain’s most beloved festive treats. It marks the start of the Christmas baking season. Homes fill with the warm aroma of citrus, cinnamon and spiced fruit. It’s the perfect moment to bake a fresh batch of mince pies, share them with loved ones and enjoy the tradition that has been part of British Christmas for centuries. Using Chef’s Selections Mincemeat (3kg) from Nicol Retailer Limited makes this celebration even more delicious. It gives every pie a rich, authentic festive flavour.
How to Make These Delicious Christmas Mince Pies
Making these traditional Christmas mince pies is wonderfully simple and incredibly rewarding. With just a few basic ingredients and the rich, flavour-packed Chef’s Selections Mincemeat (3kg) from Nicol Retailer Limited, you can create bakery-quality mince pies right at home. The process begins with preparing a buttery shortcrust pastry and filling each case generously with spiced mincemeat. Then, bake them to golden perfection. Whether you’re an experienced baker or making mince pies for the first time, this step-by-step guide will help you achieve beautifully festive, perfectly flavoured pies every single time.
Luxury Christmas Mince Pies Using Chef’s Selections Mincemeat
Ingredients
- 375 g plain flour
- 260 g cold unsalted butter, diced
- 125 g caster sugar
- 1 Large egg
- A pinch of salt
- 1-2 tbsp cold water (only if needed)
For the Filling:
- 800 g Mincemeat
- 2 brandy or spiced rum
- 1 Zest of 1 orange
For Finishing:
Instructions
Make the Pastry
- Rub flour, salt and cold butter together until breadcrumb-like.
- Stir in the caster sugar.
- Add the egg and bring together into a dough.
- If dry, add 1 tablespoon cold water.
- Wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
- In a bowl, mix the Chef’s Selections Mincemeat with brandy and/or orange zest for extra festive depth (optional but incredible).
Assemble the Mince Pies
- Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C Fan).
- Grease a muffin or tart tray.
- Roll out pastry to 3mm thickness.
- Cut rounds to fit your tray for the bases.
- Spoon 1–2 tsp mincemeat into each pastry case.
- Top with pastry lids, stars, or festive shapes.
- Seal edges gently and brush tops with beaten egg.
- Sprinkle with demerara sugar.
Bake
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and bubbling slightly.
Serve
- Cool for 10 minutes, dust with icing sugar, and serve warm with clotted cream, brandy butter or custard.
Notes
Nutrition
Serving Suggestions
These luxuriously spiced Christmas mince pies shine even brighter when paired with the right festive accompaniments. Here are delicious serving ideas that elevate the flavour, texture and presentation — perfect for holiday gatherings, Christmas Eve treats, or National Mince Pie Day celebrations.
Classic Brandy Sauce
Nothing says traditional British Christmas dessert like warm brandy sauce poured generously over a hot mince pie. Smooth, silky and gently boozy, it balances the sweetness of the mincemeat and adds a festive warmth to every bite.
Brandy Butter
Creamy, rich and sweet, brandy butter melts beautifully over warm mince pies. Made with butter, icing sugar and a splash of brandy, it creates an indulgent finish worthy of a Christmas dessert table.
Vanilla Custard
A thick, velvety custard brings comforting warmth and creaminess. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon for a festive twist.
Luxury Vanilla Ice Cream
The contrast of cold, silky ice cream against a hot, freshly baked mince pie is irresistible — ideal for those who prefer a lighter, refreshing finish.
Spiced Whipped Cream
Lightly whipped cream flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg and a hint of orange zest pairs beautifully with the fruity mincemeat.
Festive Presentation Ideas
- Dust pies with icing sugar “snow”
- Arrange on a wooden board with holly, cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices
- Pack into gift boxes for neighbours or friends
- Serve warm on a tiered stand for a Christmas afternoon tea
Shop the Star Ingredient
All you need for these delicious festive mince pies — including the premium Chef’s Selections Mincemeat (3kg) — is available at: Nicol Retailer Limited – https://nicolretailer.com/product/chefs-selections-mincemeat-3kg/