The Ultimate Mince Pie Taste Test: Mr Kipling vs Supermarket Brands

A mince pie can make or break Christmas. Getting the perfect mix of crumbly, short pastry, fruity filling, and sweetness balance is the gift that the festive season keeps giving.

In a head-to-head comparison, I pitted Mr Kipling’s Deep Filled Mince Pies against similar offerings from nine different supermarkets, testing them all as cold pies. The results were eye-opening, with price points and flavor profiles varying significantly.

Mr Kipling remains a brand leader, offering delicious short pastry and a well-balanced yet fruity filling, but its higher price point diminishes its value for money. On the other hand, Waitrose’s luxurious mince pies boast a buttery pastry and a distinctive filling, but their hefty price tag is hard to ignore.

Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Morrisons, Asda, and Aldi each presented their unique takes on the classic mince pie, with varying degrees of success. While some fell short in flavor and quality, others offered surprising and impressive options.

Despite Mr Kipling’s high bar, there are supermarket contenders that have now caught up on taste as well as value for money. In particular, Iceland stood out as the surprising and clear winner, with an affordable price point and exceptional flavor.

In this comprehensive taste test, Iceland’s mince pies stole the show with their delectable, well-balanced flavor and affordable price, presenting a strong challenge to the traditional market leader.