Price: £3.00 for a box of 6 (16/11/2024)
The Iceland Luxury All Butter Mince Pies were much anticipated in my household because they have performed well in independent reviews in previous years. This year the packaging promises a ‘new improved recipe’, raising expectations even higher.
The text on the box describes them as ‘shortcrust pastry filled with vine fruit mincemeat containing Brandy, port & cut mixed peel‘. Surprisingly, the Iceland name doesn’t appear anywhere on the front or sides of the box. It’s only in small print on the back, as if the pies are trying to keep a low profile and don’t want to reveal their true identity.
Visually, these pies look similar to the premium pies from many of the other major UK grocery retailers, with a snowflake pattern on the pastry lid and a dusting of sugar on top.
Cold Taste Test
The pastry is pretty good, commensurate with its rivals at the top end of the market, albeit with no standout qualities to really distinguish it from the competition. The mincemeat is one of the thicker, lumpier ones that I have reviewed and I got a couple of slightly chewy pieces of fruit or peel in the first one I tested. I don’t mind that at all, and the overall flavour was pleasing, with a nice citrus aftertaste.
Hot Taste Test
The Iceland Luxury All Butter Mince Pies heat up nicely in a microwave and the sweet flavour of the chunky mincemeat is somewhat enhanced when warm. I still struggled to pick out much hint of the brandy or port, but it was a nice taste nonetheless.
Verdict
These are good, solid, all-round mince pies that score highly in every department and won’t let you down. They are worthy of a place in anyone’s Christmas dessert spread. The pastry and mincemeat are prepared to a high standard and I was impressed by the level of filling inside them. I would happily buy these pies again.
One point of note, though, is that these Iceland Luxury All Butter Mince Pies have the highest level of sugar in any of the pies that I have tested thus far. No doubt that contributes in no small part to their satisfying taste, but the health conscious mince pie connoisseur might want to consume them in moderation.
Nutrition
Typical values (per 100g):
- Energy: 384 kcal
- Fat: 13.4 g
- Saturates: 8.9 g
- Carbohydrate: 61.1 g
- Of which sugars: 41 g
- Fibre : 2.1 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Salt: 0.5 g