The artisan look is definitely 'in' so most of those we tested could have passed as home made, including a number of the supermarket brands. We think small is best, whether for a child's mouth or a festive party so where on offer, we sampled mini ones.

The golden rule with all mince pies is that they are nicer warm, preferably with a dollop of brandy butter. Mince pies dipped in chocolate or covered in sweet white gloopy icing are therefore immediately out!

Department Stores



Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnums have almost idential mini sets in boxes of twelve. They are completely encased in pastry (which is a bit too much for me) but look really pretty and are properly bite-sized so you can pop them in in one go. Good for parties. The children loved them - especially the ones from Harrods, one variant of which comes half dipped in either white or dark chocolate. Yuck.
From £8.50 for twelve. Buy in store at Harrods and Selfridges or online at Fortnums. VERDICT: ***

We tried a selection from Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Brandy Rich Mini Mince Pies came out top. Not quite bite-sized but with good butter pastry and excellent raisin-y mincemeat. £1.99 for 9 or 2 packs for £3. Click here to buy online. VERDICT: *****

  


Waitrose Mini Star Mince Pies were second. They looked the prettiest of the supermarket pies. Def need a stint in the oven as the pastry very pale. Mincemeat fine but a little dull.  £2.99 for 12. Click here to buy online. VERDICT: ****

All of the Tescos pies were disgusting. Gloopy syrupy mincemeat and sweet cloying pastry. The Finest range is differentiated by an overpowering dash of brandy.
VERDICT: NO STARS

Grocers and Delis

Our favourite shop for mini pies remains Mr Christian's in Elgin Crescent, Notting Hill. They are freshly made each day and are just what you would hope to produce yourself, were you a Nigella godess. 85p each. Pre-order if you want more than about a dozen. Tel 020 7229 0501. VERDICT: *****

Daylesford Organic don't do minis. They deserve a special mention for producing a wheat free version of their regular organic sets. The kids were not as keen on the mincemeat which contains quite big chunky pieces of peel and has a strong citrus flavour. £5.95 for six. Click here to order online. VERDICT: ***

Also worthy of mention is Baker & Spice. They did not have any available to taste but they are instore from today and last year were delicious. £1.35 each for minis. Click here for cafe contact details. South Londoners swear the pies produced by the Blackbird Bakery in Herne Hill are the best in town. They are not making them until next week though.Tel 020 7095 8800.

Delivery Boxes

Both the delivery boxes we tried scored highly on the homemade front and we were split as to which was the nicest.

Riverford Organic don't have mini pies but their regular ones were my favourite. Completely homemade with wonderfully crumbly pastry and utterly delicious mincemeat. Only niggle is there is quite a lot of sugar on top. We prefer a dusting of icing sugar. £4.95 for six. Click here to buy online. VERDICT: *****

Abel & Cole 12 Mini Mince Pies are light with a pretty pastry star in the middle. Good mincemeat, pastry slightly pale but good when cooked through a bit. £4.99 for twelve. Click here to buy online. VERDICT: **** They also do a lovely mince pie making box (£8.99). All the ingredients you need (including a jar of ready made mincemeat) to DIY!