Mince pies are a traditional sweet British pastry filled with a spiced mixture of dried fruits and suet, known as mincemeat, that is typically served during the Christmas season. Despite the name, they do not contain meat in modern recipes.

The history of the mince pie can be traced back to the 13th century when European crusaders returning from the Middle East brought recipes containing meats, fruits, and spices. The original pies were larger, often oval-shaped to represent the manger of Christ, and contained actual meat, which was later replaced by suet, giving way to the sweet version we know today