Love 'em or hate 'em, mince pies are - and will always be - a festive staple. The buttered pastry delights date back to the 1500s, when people ate them for 12 days from Christmas Day to the Twelfth Night.
Nowadays, mince pies are eaten throughout November, December and even January (if you've got leftovers). They're the perfect accompaniment to a cuppa, and thanks to a blend of warming spices the humble mince pie encapsulates Christmas time.
Of course, you can make your own, with shop bought pastry and a jar of mince it's pretty simple. But let's be honest, the majority of us buy them readymade.
