Asda Free From Mince Pies Improved Recipe Review

I reviewed Asda's Free From Mince Pies last year, but this year they have only gone and bloomin' improved them (again), so here I am reviewing the new and improved versions. The things I do for food research haha!

It's always nice to have more gluten free varieties, and thankfully all the supermarkets are expanding their options all the time - with even Aldi currently doing Gluten Free Mince Pies and Christmas Puddings. It's a step in the right direction for us gluten free folk for sure. I do enjoy Asda's offering, in fact I'd say they're the best budget gluten free mince pies around.

Free from Dairy and Gluten, but sadly not egg these aren't suitable for vegans. And despite the lack of butter, the pastry on these still tastes lovely and buttery, melt in the mouth and has just the right thickness.

The filling is moist and gooey, with the right balance of fruits and spice, never tasting too syrupy or sugary. In fact it's rather authentic for a cheaper mince pie.

I really loved these, and I would say they have in fact improved since last year, it's hard to say how exactly but perhaps the pastry is a little more buttery tasting and the filling is more plentiful? I'm not sure exactly, but for a bargain gluten free treat this festive season these are an absolute must - that's if they don't go out of stock, as always tends to happen with gluten free festive products! Snap these up while you can!

8.7 out of 10.

Grown Up Chocolate Company Magnificent Mince Pie Milk Chocolate

A big thankyou to The Grown Up Chocolate Company for today's post, who kindly offered me some of their Christmas chocolate bars to review. I was originally going to be sent a "Make Your Own Bar" voucher but these had run out so festive choccies it was! Not that I'm complaining - I've been wanting to try this Mince Pie Bar since I first heard about it, but have never been able to find it in shops. You can however get it from The Grown Up Chocolate Companies website:

www.thegrownupchocolatecompany.co.uk

Described as "Luxury pieces of magnificent mince pie filling packed into the dreamiest milk chocolate bar", this costs £2.95 for 100g. It is paper and gold foil wrapped, making it feel uber-special. I was pleased to see there was no wheat flour in the recipe as the mince pie filling is purely mincemeat and not pastry. Woohoo! That said, it "may" contain cereals containing gluten according to the warning on the wrapper, presumably as it's made in a factory that processes gluten. So don't eat this if you're super sensitive!

Opening the foil, the chocolate felt quite thick and chunky, presumably to protect the mincemeat filling.

I broke a few pieces off. The mincemeat oozed out and was just like the innards of a mince pie.

Taking a bite, the chocolate is very creamy and melt in the mouth, good quality and the perfect casing for the mincemeat filling. It pretty much takes the place of pastry and does a great job of it. The filling is spicy, fruity and gooey...pretty much a good quality mincemeat! It blends surprisingly well with the milk chocolate, making for a nice chewy filling.

Overall, as Mince Pie meets Milk Chocolate goes this could have been a bit gimmicky and a fail, but in practice it actually worked out very well. The flavours blend well together, making for a luxury tasting novelty bar that is perfectly fitting for the festive season. If you're a fan of novelty chocolates or you know someone who is, this would make a lovely Christmas gift!

Suitable for vegetarians, contains milk & almonds. May contain cereals containing gluten, peanuts and other nuts.

8.5 out of 10.