Naice mince pies without alcohol | Mumsnet (2025)

FAQs

Do all mince pies contain alcohol? ›

Experts say that despite the notion of a sumptuous, brandy-laden mince pie, there isn't much alcohol in the regular shop-bought pies. Alcohol helps to give the pies a 'robust' flavour, but by the time they have been cooked, there isn't much spirit left. The advice is to check the ingredients carefully when buying.

Contains alcohol. Filling will be hot, please handle carefully. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, store in an airtight container and consume within 3 days.

Traditions, folklore and superstitions

Stirring the mincemeat was quite an event, and English tradition dictates that it should only be stirred clockwise. Stirring the mincemeat anti-clockwise would lead to bad luck and poor fortune in the coming 12 months.

Typically, its ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Mince pies, eggnog, chocolate treats, mulled wine. But for some, the festive food and drink items on offer are prohibited. Muslims, for example, can't eat anything that contains pork or pork-based stuff such as gelatine (or gelatine made from other non-halal meat), or drink alcohol.

Martin Fone investigates the most traditional seasonal food of all, mince pies, and finds that they really did contain meat at one time in the past. Just be grateful you never got served one made with fish...

The Holly Lane Deep Filled Mince Pies from Aldi looked cheap if I am brutally honest. They had a star decoration on top and the pastry was a bit powdery. They may have only be £1.09 a pack (the cheapest box I tired), but in terms of taste and texture, they weren't the best in my view.

Vine Fruits (32%) (Sultanas, Raisins, Currants), Sugar, Apple (24%) (Apple Puree, Preservative: Acetic Acid), Glucose-fructose Syrup, Candied Mixed Peel (4%) (Orange Peel, Glucose-fructose Syrup, Sugar, Lemon Peel, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid), Vegetable Suet (2.5%) (Palm Oil, Rice Flour, Sunflower Oil), Mixed Spice ...

Woolworths has recalled a batch of its mince pies due to potential metal contamination as families gather for their Christmas feasts. NSW's Food Authority urged consumers to check the type and best before date of fruit mince pies they may have purchased from Woolworths before they're served.

It has been claimed that eating the snack is illegal in England if done so on Christmas Day. The tradition comes from the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s, when mince pies were banned at Christmas, along with other tasty treats. Cromwell wanted to tackle gluttony in England.

What is the difference between mince pie and mincemeat pie? ›

All About Mincemeat: The Fabulous Filling for Mince Pies

If you are wondering what the difference is between a mince pie and a mincemeat pie, wonder no more—they are the same thing.

A metal pie pan placed on a preheated surface will set the bottom crust quickest; once cooked, the liquids from the filling above won't soak in, and as a result: no soggy bottom. (Using metal is crucial: Glass or ceramic pans don't transfer heat as efficiently, so they can be accomplices to a sad, soggy bottom.)

By the 18th century it was more likely to be tongue or even tripe, and in the 19th century it was minced beef. It was not until the late Victorian period and early 20th Century that mince pies dropped the meat and had all fruit fillings (albeit with suet). Even today there are traditions associated with mince pies.

In American English, "mincemeat" is a sweet pie filling (I think it's mince pie in BrE) which originally contained some meat but in modern times it is generally made mostly of apples and raisins. It's not very popular anymore, but you sometimes see it around Christmas time.

Not only is mince an incredibly versatile meat, it is also packed full of nutrients that can help support good health and wellbeing. With mince, you don't need to eat a lot of it to get the nutritional goodness.

This easy mince pie recipe is perfect for kids. I never feel more Christmasy than when I'm tucking into a mince pie. It really wouldn't be Christmas without them. So far this year we've made about 4 batches and I think there is probably time for some more!

It once contained minced meat and fat (lamb usually), and well into the 20th century, beef suet was always included, even when made at home. Today, most recipes or mince pies use vegetarian suet instead, but check the label if you're buying ready-made.

“A mince pie is a sweet pie of British origin, filled with a mixture of dried fruits and spices called "mincemeat", that is traditionally served during the Christmas season in much of the English-speaking world (Wikipedia). “A meat pie is a pie with a filling of meat and often other savory ingredients.

We all love munching on mince pies but have you ever wondered why their filling is called 'mincemeat' even though there's no meat in it? This is because long ago mince pies actually did have meat in them. They went by different names like 'mutton pie,' 'shrid pie,' or 'Christmas pie.