All About Walker’s Shortbread Mince Pies

Mince pies, also called mincemeat pies, are a classic Christmas treat, especially in the United Kingdom.

This short post offers basic information about mince pies, including helpful tips to enjoy them yourself this holiday season.

 What Are Mince Pies?

Mince pies were originally called mincemeat pies because they contained a fine mince of lamb or mutton, though they could also be made with beef, pork, rabbit, or some other game. They were richly spiced with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. They also included  finely minced fruit, commonly raisins and apples, though candied fruit peel and citrus could also be used.

Nowadays, mince pies are filled with spices and fresh or dried fruits, but lack the meat - though the name mincemeat is still sometimes used. Another common name is Christmas pies, connoting the fact that they are popular for the holidays.

Walker’s Shortbread Mince Pies are made with a crumbly, all-butter shortbread crust and filled with rich, vine fruits, tangy spices, and candied peel. A treat for all to enjoy, each Mince Pie comes ready-to-eat in its own aluminum foil pie dish and can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways.

How to Enjoy Them: Notes for Pairing and Preparation

While the simplest way to enjoy Walker’s Shortbread Mince Pies is fresh out of the package, there are ways to elevate the experience!

One popular option to enjoy a Walker’s Shortbread Mince Pie is by heating it up in the oven. Since they’re wrapped in their own foil tins, they’re perfect for this! Simply preheat the oven to 350℉ and pop them in for 6 to 7 minutes or until the shortbread crust starts to turn golden brown around the edges. This will make it crumbly, toasty, and release the rich, spiced aroma.

If you don’t have time for the oven, a quick warm-up in the microwave will also do the trick! Just be sure to remove them from their foil tins before doing so.

Mince pies are also best enjoyed with a little bit of cream.  Simply top with a dollop of whipped cream or a bit of custard. Clotted cream makes a nice pairing, too. Dust lightly with cinnamon to enhance the experience.

If you like the juxtaposition of hot and cold, you can also top these mince pies with a scoop of vanilla or French vanilla ice cream for one more way to get the most out of these little delights.

They also pair beautifully with hot beverages. The sweet tastes and spices make a wonderful complement to coffee and tea and keeping with the Christmas time theme, they also work wonderfully with cider or mulled wine.

Mince Pie Trivia

Mince pies have been served for hundreds of years and there is a large body of folklore surrounding them.

You may have heard of “Stir-up Sunday,” which is always the last Sunday before Advent; this year, it will be on November 24th. It’s called “Stir-up Sunday” because traditionally it is the day on which Christmas puddings are prepared, since they must age for several weeks before being enjoyed. It just so happens that families also often make mince pies on the same day!

Like making a Christmas pudding, there are folkways and customs surrounding the making of mincemeat in the United Kingdom. One is that each family member should take a turn stirring the mincemeat, and that it should only ever be stirred in clockwise fashion - lest it bring bad luck to the stirrer!

Other bits of lore surrounding the making of mince pies at Christmas have to do with the nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon that are mostly commonly used to spice mincemeat (though other spices are sometimes used). It is said that this trinity symbolically represents the Magi that visited the baby Jesus.

Mince pies were sometimes made in an oval shape (though most modern ones are round) which is said to symbolize the crib in the manger where the baby Jesus was born. In fact, early mincemeat pies were said to be made with 13 ingredients (symbolizing Jesus and the 12 disciples) and some may have been made with a lid featuring a pastry baby Jesus.

When eating a mince pie, it’s said that you should always make a wish - and you should never cut it with a knife - or else, more bad luck.

Another interesting fact is there’s a myth that there is an antiquated law to the effect that it’s illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas.. Don’t worry, though - it’s not more than an urban legend.

Introducing Two New Walker’s Mince Pies in 2024

We’re proud to announce that our mince pie collection is graced by two newcomers for this year’s Christmas season - Cranberry and Clementine Mince Pies and Gingerbread Mince Pies. Our Cranberry and Clementine Mince Pies are crafted with cranberry, clementine, and rich spices, and our Gingerbread Mince Pies are made with a unique, gingerbread shortbread crust.

Like our other mince pies, these are free from artificial colors and flavors, suitable for vegetarians, and can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways - including warmed with whipped cream!

Make Memorable Moments with Walker’s Shortbread Mince Pies!

This Christmas season, celebrate with a traditional treat - Walker’s Shortbread Mince Pies. Create an assortment to offer to your company or give them as a gift and enjoy together. You’ll both enjoy!