Mince pies are one of the best things about Christmas. The burst of clementine, cinnamon and mincemeat makes this once-a-year treat one of the best around.
In Britain we assume that mince pies are a tradition of our own, however, the idea actually started in the middle east back in the 1200s.
Still, since the invention was brought over to the UK, we've had plenty of time to perfect our mincemeat recipes and make just about every variation under the sun.
Leeds' mince pie concoctions come in all shapes and sizes this year, ranging from bao buns and french toast, to pancakes and more
There are plenty to choose from, but we've put together our favourite Leeds-based creations below.
Keep reading to discover the ones you absolutely need to try before Christmas
It doesn't get more festive than a lazy Sunday afternoon in a coffee shop and this Brew and Brownie seasonal special is all you need to get in the Christmas spirit. We're talking mince pie brioche french toast with Bailey's cream, marzipan crumble and spiced orange syrup - the ultimate festive indulgence.
Brew and Brownie is an indie family run cafe that serves a huge variety of homemade cakes and speciality coffee. Of course, their brownies are delicious, but with a festive mince pie combination available as either french toast or on a pancake stack, there's a chance these might become new cafe favourites.
Nothing tastes quite as good as a homemade mince pie, and that's where Sift in Otley comes in. Made with Rosebud preserves, orange and almond mincemeat, made-in-store pastry and dusted in icing sugar, these sweet treats make an ideal afternoon snack whilst hiding from the winter drizzle.
The vegetarian cafe and bakery is open Tuesday to Sunday with varying opening times, depending on the weekday. Make sure you plan ahead to make sure you get there in time to try out a mince pie or slice of cake.
The addition of deep-fried mince pie bao buns to the Christmas menu here was a fine choice in our eyes. The collection came shortly after the Little Bao Boy X Doh'hut menu.
This bao bun is deep-fried and tossed in sugar before the middle is crammed with mince pie filling to give it a crunchy, yet still chewy, texture. If you needed any more excuses to get yourself a never-seen-before festive treat, this is it. On the menu, you’ll also find a savoury option with everyone’s favourite Christmas dinner dish: pigs in blankets.
If you're not yet acquainted with C.R.E.A.M in Halifax, you should be. Not only do they offer an incredible bottomless brunch menu with unlimited espresso martinis and an all-you-can-drink remote workers offer with a free post-work pint, but they also have a unique Christmas menu.
Their mince pie on french toast is a festive staple that can be found alongside all the best winter warmer meals like stacks of pancakes, pigs in blankets and Baileys hot chocolates.
Every year, Chapel Allerton residents make their lists and pass on their Christmas baked goods orders to Crust and Crumb's Nicola. Available only as a pre-order this Christmas, mince pies are featured alongside her special cranberry and orange baked cheesecakes - another local favourite.
A feast for the eyes and the belly, with a keen eye for detail this coffee shop knows exactly what the public wants. If you're looking for a gift for 'the person that has everything', Crust and Crumb will have you covered with Christmas coffee gift sets from locally roasted and hand blend coffee beans.
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
15th December 2021 
