Simple and sweet, bold and boozy or stuffed with marzipan and mincemeat, mince pies are our favourite Christmas treat. We've experimented with different pastries, fillings and toppings, and now bring you a round-up of our best ever pies. Whether you're a staunch traditionalist or looking to mix things up a bit, we have a recipe for you. Grab a mulled wine and settle in with your cosiest jumper: 'tis the season for some serious snacking.

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For more classics and modern mincemeat twists on pancakes, pies and pastries, check out our ultimate mince pie recipe collection. Using up a jar of mincemeat? Try our five ways with mince pies.

1. Classic mince pies

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With melt-in-the-mouth pastry and a chunky mincemeat filling, what's not to like about our easy mince pie recipe? Short, buttery pastry is the base of this five-star treat, which won't last long in the kitchen. If you're looking for a Christmas classic, you can't go wrong with these perfect pies.

2. Hazelnut crunch mince pies

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Add some texture to the standard recipe with our hazelnut crunch mince pies. Upgrade a jar of mincemeat by adding fresh grated apple and orange zest, then use star-shaped pastry lids for a final festive flourish.

3. Stollen mince pies

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Combine two Christmas dessert staples with a batch of our stollen mince pies. Madeira cake mixed with almonds, candied peel and marzipan is a quick stollen substitute, and still packs plenty of seasonal flavour. These buttery beauties are a surefire winner.

4. Jewelled mince pies

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A lighter, fruitier mincemeat filling and a little extra gloss are the keys to our jewelled mince pies. If you have time to spare, these dazzling desserts are well worth the effort. Make a jar of our jewelled mincemeat ahead of time – it's full of tropical fruit and a dash of booze.

5. Almond-topped mince pies

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Switch up standard shortcrust with our fabulous frangipane topping. Our almond-topped mince pies are bound to become a firm family favourite, as these next level nibbles have an extra dose of almondy goodness. Bake until golden brown, then dust with icing sugar and present with pride.

6. Puff pastry mince pies

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Our puff pastry mince pies couldn't be easier. Use a couple of clever shortcuts and perk up shop-bought mincemeat to make these delicate, golden-brown beauties. Add a splash of brandy, rum or whisky or some orange zest to jarred mincemeat, then finish with a sprinkling of demerara sugar for texture.

7. Custard & crumble mince pies

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Try another marvellous mash-up in the form of our custard & crumble mince pies. A layer of creamy custard and an irresistible crunchy crumble topping help make these mellow mince pies a standout.

8. Vegan mince pies

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Cater for everyone this Christmas with a platter of our vegan mince pies warm from the oven. The cherry-and-hazelnut filling is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and is packed with plenty of warming spices. Make the pastry extra flaky with our quick tip: put the vodka in the freezer for at least an hour before using.

9. Gluten-free mince pies

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Our gluten-free mince pies will be eaten up in a flash, as they're perfect with a cup of tea (or something a little stronger). Adding orange zest to the pastry gives these pies a citrussy boost. Try serving them warm with a dollop of brandy butter or crème fraîche for an extra dose of decadence.

10. Deep-filled mince pies

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A generously filled mince pie is a thing of beauty. After all, who could say no to one (or two!) of our deep-filled mince pies with their afternoon cuppa? We say the more mincemeat the better.

Enjoyed these recipes? Try our other Christmas treats

Easy Christmas desserts
Make-ahead Christmas desserts
10 decadent Christmas cheesecakes
Christmas brownie recipe collection

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What's your favourite mince pie recipe? Leave a comment below...

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