We tried mince pies from Aldi, Tesco, Lidl and M&S to find out which is best

It's that time of year again when you can't navigate a supermarket aisle without tripping over a stack of mince pies.

These days, there's a broader range in stores, with every kind of topping and flavour.

However, it's the traditional basic mince pie that retailers sell the most, particularly when many shoppers are budget-conscious.

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That's why we decided to conduct a blind taste test comparing the cheapest mince pies from each supermarket, including Aldi, Tesco, Lidl and M&S.

Based on appearance alone, most look quite similar - small deep pies with crimped edges and various snowflake, leaf and star patterns on top. The ones from M&S are wider than the others and have a top that covers the entire pie, with it featuring an open star in the centre.

Aldi's were slightly more browned than the others, giving them a firmer top. Lidl's had the softest pastry, but not all our testers liked this, so it depends on your preference.

All are topped with granulated rather than dusting sugar, but the amount used varies with each brand, reports the Manchester Evening News.

M&S had a light dusting and it was given high praise for its overall taste and texture - with the cinnamon and nutmeg flavours standing out.

We all savoured the flavour of the Aldi pies, which are among the cheapest, costing €1.19 for a pack of six. But one pie stood out for those with a sweet tooth - Tesco's Merry Mince Pies, which are price matched to the budget retailer.

The rich fruit flavours mixed with its buttery pastry and just the right amount of sugar on top is a winning combination. And at just 25c a pie, this one's definitely the star of the show.