31 December 2023 , 10:00
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Storing mince pies correctly can help you keep them fresh for weeks.
Mince pies are one of the staple features of the Christmas period, with every family likely to find themselves chowing down on at least a few. Whether you opt for the classic mincemeat pies or the less traditional recipes that have infused extra flavours like cranberries, frangipane, or orange - it wouldn't be the festive season without these treats.
The only downside of mince pies, particularly if you are planning on baking a batch yourself at home, is that they can go stale relatively quickly if they are not stored correctly.
One Reddit user posted on the website looking for advice on how to properly store his mince pies, "I usually make a big batch of mince pies and keep them in airtight boxes until all eaten - can be several weeks. I haven't noticed any problem with taste," they explained.
"However, I was reading that homemade ones don't last well and should be consumed within a few days". The resounding answer from other commenters was that using airtight tins or tubs should be a sufficient way of keeping the home-baked mince pies fresh.
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"My mother's would keep forever. She'd bake a load just before the start of December [because] Dad used to eat one every day of advent. Then another batch 'for Christmas'. We'd be eating those way after New Year. They last in an air-tight tin for quite a while," one advised.
Some joked, however, that this wasn't a problem they faced because they wolfed down their mince pies so quickly once they were ready.
However, others pointed out that freezing your mince pies, if you have the space to, is the best way to ensure that the pies stay really fresh - which is also what top celebrity chefs like Nigella Lawson and the expert team at BBC Good Food recommend.
The BBC advises that if you want to make a batch of mince pies that will last you for a while, or ahead of a specific event, then once you have prepared the pies - but not yet cooked them. "The pies can now be frozen in the trays for up to three months and either defrosted and cooked as stated or cooked from frozen."
Nigella Lawson recommends if you are following one of her recipes to bake mince pies then you should remember they are unlikely to last as long as those you buy in a shop, instead they will stay fresh in an "airtight container for up to one week".
However, she notes on her website that "the baked mince pies do freeze very well and can be frozen for up to 3 months," so you still have the opportunity to keep a batch around for a good while, as long as you have the freezer space.
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