Mince pies ranked from Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Aldi…

Mince pies ranked from Marks and Spencer, Tesco, Aldi and Morrisons - and two got perfect scores

When it comes to sweet treats at Christmas, there's not a lot that will beat a mince pie.

For some of us, our parents make them so well that it's pointless even bothering to roll out the pastry and turn the oven on. However, if you're looking for a quick fix, heading to the supermarket and picking up a pack of six isn't a bad idea.

The only thing is, not all shop-bought mince pies are created equal. Some fall to pieces the moment you bite in, while others may be lacking in the sweet and sticky berries and winter spices that make them the perfect festive treat.

There are some though which hit the spot perfectly. To find the best mince pies on offer, some of our colleagues at the Liverpool Echo did a taste test of mince pies from four of the UK's leading supermarkets - here are their verdicts.

M&S Collection 6 Mince Pies

M&S Collection mince pies (Liverpool Echo)

Marks and Spencer's collection of six mince pies come in a classy navy box decorated with winter berries and a stylish gold M&S motif. A clear panel means you can see the mince pies inside, with the lids designed to look like snowflakes.

Their light dusting of sugar makes them look home made, or like some you may find in a quaint café. Reviewers found that the pastry was melt in the mouth delicious with a buttery taste.

There was plenty of filling, with deep and fruity flavour and a "perfect" sticky texture, with the Cognac not overpoweringly boozy. They're recommended as a great buy if you love the homemade taste of mince pies, without going to the effort of making them yourself.

Rating: 5/5

Price: £3

Where to buy: M&S stores or Ocado

Tesco Finest 6 Crumble Topped Mince Pies

Tesco Finest mince pies (Liverpool Echo)

It should be said that the reviewer who tried Tesco's mince pies had never tried a mince pie at all. They have a decorative crumble top and "beautiful packaging", though the pastry was found to be heavy and dry and the filling lacking in flavour.

Rating: 1/5

Price: £2.25 or £2 with a Clubcard

Where to buy: Tesco stores or online here

Aldi's Holly Lane 6 Deep Filled Mince Pies

Aldi's mince pies were deemed appetising, covered in frosted sugar and with a snowflake design on the top. The crust is nice and solid and "it didn't look like they were going to fall apart any time soon."

The discount retailer's pies had plenty of flavour and wasn't too overbearing, though the pastry was the best part. Described as lovely and light yet perfectly sweet with a nice, firm crust, it's another good score at just over a third of the price you'd pay in Marks and Spencer.

Rating: 5/5

Price: £1.09

Where to buy: Your local Aldi store

Morrisons Mince Pies

Morrisons Mince Pies are said to be a decent size, dusted in sugar and featuring a "lovely" snowflake design on the top. They have a sweet, melt-in-the-mouth pastry, while the pies were generously filled and packed with rich and fruity flavour - offering great value for money.

Rating: 4/5

Price: £1.25

Where to buy: Your local Morrisons store

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