Mince pies stay fresh for weeks with easy storage method using 1 item (Image: Getty)
A festive favourite, can quickly become stale and dry within hours of the iconic cardboard boxes being opened.
As for , every knows the struggle of keeping pastry fresh once baked.
While these mincemeat-filled treats are usually consumed quickly, knowing them to extend their freshness is beneficial.
The fridge is the first storage option for many foods that come to mind, but it’s not always the best. Pastries can turn from dry to soggy when kept in the fridge, which can be just as unpleasant as those lacking moisture.
However, one user has suggested that simple storage methods can keep homemade mince pies fresh throughout and into the New Year.
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An airtight tin is a surefire way to ensure mince pies last a long time once baked (Image: Getty)
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In a discussion on the popular online forum about the shelf life of homemade mince pies, the consensus was that an airtight tin or container is the best place for these pastry-based goods.
A user who uses the alias u/GlitteriestFluff shared: “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.”
The member claimed that an airtight container is a must-have to ensure homemade mince pies last “quite a while” and reassured that the flavour is also preserved.
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Mince pies with open tops may dry out quicker than closed lid versions (Image: Getty)
Of course, not all mince pies are equal. This advice was based on homemade pies made from basic shortcrust pastry and shop-bought mince meat, which one user claimed could last four to six weeks in an airtight container.
Other mince pies, like those made with puff pastry or fresh ingredients in the mincemeat, may have a shorter shelf life. However, an airtight container should increase their longevity to some degree.
A third mince pie enthusiast on also endorsed this surefire technique to ensure pies remain scrumptious for weeks; however, they joked that the sweet treats must be “hidden” to prevent them from being swiftly consumed.
For shop-bought pies, it’s advisable to remove them from their packaging and store them in an airtight container as soon as the packaging is unsealed.
To prevent mincemeat from sticking to foil cases, particularly for pies made with star-shaped tops, layers of parchment or kitchen paper can be employed between pie stacks.
Chef Nigella Lawson recommends stashing the pies in the freezer for up to three months for those planning ahead—just ensure they’re thoroughly cooled before sealing them in resealable boxes.