What to Serve Mince Pies With? (11 Accompaniments)
If you’re looking for a festive treat to serve this holiday season, mince pies are the way to go! But what else do you need to serve with those delicious British treats?
The traditional accompaniments to serve with mince pies include cream, custard, creme fraiche, and brandy butter. These all provide a sweet and creamy contrast to the sugary mincemeat filling. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try serving mince pies with yogurt or ice cream. For those who prefer a savory accompaniment, cheese such as cheddar or brie is an excellent choice.
Credit: canva
Read on if you’re looking for creative ideas to make your holiday gathering a hit! Here are eleven accompaniments to serve with your mince pies.
Single cream is thinner than double cream and is mainly used for pouring. Double cream, on the other hand, contains 48% of milk fat, is very thick, and whips easily.
Both single and double cream are a great accompaniment to mince pies as they add richness and flavor to the dish. The contrast between a hot mince pie and cold cream adds an extra texture to the dessert.
The cream can make sauces or toppings for desserts such as ice cream or cakes.
#2 – Custard or Cream Pudding
For an extra indulgent treat, serve your mince pies with custard or cream pudding! Vanilla custard is always a crowd-pleaser. But if you’re feeling adventurous, try experimenting with other flavors like pumpkin spice or raspberry coulis.
You can also top off each slice of pie with whipped cream for an extra-special touch.
#3 – Creme Fraiche
Creme fraiche is a delicious French-style sour cream. Its slightly tangy flavor adds a unique twist to traditional mince pies and other desserts like crumbles and tarts.
#4 – Brandy Butter
This classic British accompaniment has been served alongside mince pies for centuries! Brandy butter is made by combining melted butter and brandy and sweetening it with either sugar or honey.
This creamy, buttery topping is the perfect finishing touch for your festive pies!
#5 – Ice Cream
This is another excellent pairing to help balance out the sweetness of the mince pies. Serving up scoops of ice cream alongside your freshly baked mince pies will surely leave everyone feeling satisfied and full.
You can choose any flavor you like – vanilla, strawberry, or even salted caramel would all work wonderfully here!
#6 – Cheese and Charcuterie Board
Create an elegant cheese and charcuterie board for an elevated twist on classic mince pies. Include some savory cured meats like salami, prosciutto, or bresaola alongside various kinds of cheese – cheddar, brie, orblue cheese pairs wonderfully with mince pies!
Various hard and soft pieces of cheese will add depth and richness to the dessert platter – plus, they look beautiful too!
Finish your board with fresh fruit and nuts for added texture and flavor.
#7 – Yogurt
Why not try yogurt for a light and refreshing accompaniment to the mince pies? You can either spoon the yogurt straight from the pot or layer it up in glasses for a more aesthetically pleasing presentation.
Yogurt can be plain or fruity – whatever your preference! It’s also a great choice if you’re looking to cut down on sugar and calories.
It’s a great way to add an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish and boost its nutritional value.
#8 – Tea
Nothing goes better with a sweet snack than a hot cup of tea. Try pairing your mince pies with black tea, such as Earl Grey or Irish Breakfast, or opt for something more unique, like chai or peppermint.
For a special touch, try brewing up some homemade mulled wine and adding a few rosemary or orange slices sprigs – it’s the perfect addition to any winter gathering.
#9 – Wine
If you’re looking for something a little more creative, try pairing your mince pies with mulled wine or cider. The warm spices in these drinks will perfectly complement the sweet flavors of the pie while also helping you get into that festive spirit!
#10 – Hot Chocolate
This is a classic combination that has been around for years! Serve some creamy hot chocolate alongside your mince pies for an indulgent treat.
To take it up a notch, why not top each mug of hot chocolate off with marshmallows, cream, or even some grated chocolate? Your guests will love it!
Fresh fruit is another excellent way to add a sweet flavor to your dessert platter. Apples pair especially well with mince pies as the tartness of the apples provides an excellent balance against the sweetness of the mince pies. For added texture and taste, you could also try adding other fruits, like oranges or pears.
Mince Pie Tradition
Mince pies are a traditional English treat that has been enjoyed for centuries. They are sweet pies filled with a mixture of fruits, spices, and suet.
The pies are usually served during Christmas and can be made from scratch or used store-bought mincemeat. Mince pies are often served with cream or custard and can be decorated with icing sugar or other decorations. Whether you make them from scratch or buy them ready-made, mince pies bring festive cheer to your holiday celebrations!
Mince pie with hot chocolate. Credit: canva
How to Choose the Right Accompaniments
Consider the Filling
The most important thing to consider when selecting an accompaniment for your mince pies is filling the pie itself.
If you’re making a traditional mince pie with a sweet filling like apples or raisins, you’ll want to find something that will complement the sweetness of the filling—thick cream or custard.
On the other hand, if you’ve decided to go with a savory option such as bacon and onions, then something like mashed potatoes would be a great way to balance out all those flavors.
Match the Occasion
Once you’ve figured out what kind of filling your mince pies have, it’s time to think about what occasion they’re being served.
If you’re hosting a casual get-together or family dinner, something simple like whipped cream or ice cream would be ideal. On the other hand, if you’re preparing for an elegant holiday party, perhaps some homemade brandy butter or clotted cream would do the trick.
No matter what type of event you’re hosting, there’s bound to be an appropriate accompaniment for your mince pies!
Keep It Simple
No matter what kind of filling is in your mince pies or what type of occasion they’re being served at, sometimes it’s best not to overcomplicate things and keep it simple.
A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top is always a crowd-pleaser and never fails to make an impression! Or, if you want something more festive during the holiday season, why not add some cinnamon sugar sprinkles? The possibilities are endless!
How to Make Mince Pies
Making classic mince pies is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! This recipe will show you how to make 12 delicious mince pies with a shortcrust pastry.
100g fat (butter or spread) or 50g butter and 50g spread
300g jar of mincemeat
Splash of milk to bind the pastry together
350 grams (2 3/4 cups) of all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the work surface
225 grams (16 tablespoons) of unsalted butter (or margarine)
170g plain flour
100g cold unsalted butter
1 tbsp caster sugar
1 large free-range egg yolk
Equipment Needed:
Rolling pin
12-hole muffin tin or pie dish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas Mark 6. Grease your muffin tin or pie dish with butter.
To make the pastry, mix the plain flour and fat until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add in a splash of milk and mix until it forms a dough. Wrap in cling film and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until it’s about 5mm thick. Cut out 12 circles using a 7cm cutter and use them to line your muffin tin or pie dish.
Mix the mincemeat, satsumas, apple, and lemon zest until combined. Divide this mixture between each pastry case so they are filled three-quarters full.
Cut out 12 stars from any leftover pastry and place one on top of each pie before baking in a preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
Allow cooling before dusting with icing sugar if desired! Enjoy!
Credit: canva
FAQs
How do you serve mince meat pies?
Mince pies can be served either warm or cold. If serving them warm, pair them with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or some clotted cream to bring out the flavors even more! Alternatively, they can be eaten on their own as an after-dinner treat.
What is the tradition of eating mince pies?
Mince pies have a long history and were traditionally eaten around the festive period in Britain. This tradition is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages when people would eat small sweet pies filled with various ingredients to symbolize good luck for the coming year.
Do you warm mince pies?
Yes, mince pies can be warmed in a preheated oven at 200°C/180°C fan/Gas Mark 6 for 5-10 minutes. This will help to bring out the sweetness and flavors of the filling even more! Alternatively, they can also be eaten cold.
