Bringing together friends and family over a piping hot mince pie straight from the oven is the essence of traditional festive spirit.

Delicious with a glass of mulled wine, these Christmas treats with rich, crumbly pastry and a delightfully sweet centre, make the perfect sweet canapé for any drinks party or get-together this yuletide season.

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It's something to look forward to every year; the smell of freshly baked goods wafting through the household as soon as you walk through the door. Oozing with rich, fragrant juices and fruits within a yummy pastry case, the taste and texture of a fresh, home-made mince pie is superior to its shop-bought equivalent.

The beauty of the home-made recipes is that they never look exactly the same. With a result that leaves rustic pastry crumbling the instant it enters your mouth, their simple preparation is easy and truly fun to make with all the family.

Let children loose with star-shaped pastry cutters, edible glitter and holly and berry shaped icing to decorate the end bake. From simple, traditional recipes to indulgent almond-filled, frangipane creations, there's no end to the possibilities in personalising your mince pies.

Finish off with lashings of brandy butter or Cornish clotted cream to transform this tea-time treat into a classic Christmas dessert which no meal would be finished well without.

Traditional Mince Pies

Mince Pies with Orange and Cinnamon Crumble Topping

Pink Lady Apple and Mincemeat Tarts

Ultimate Frangipane Mince Pies

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