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.
The full details of the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been released - and the action will be kicking off right in the heart of Leeds.
Preparations have moved up a gear this week, with the full map of the first stage revealed, which will see the world's leading female cyclists setting off from none other than The Headrow.
Leeds will make sporting history on 30 July next year, when we host the start of the world's biggest women's professional cycle race.
When our city was added to the 2014 Tour de France route, around 230,000 people packed into the city centre, with another two million lining the rest of the Yorkshire route - so we're expecting even bigger scenes next year.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will move from the centre of Leeds to travel through communities including Headingley, Kirkstall, Bramley, Farnley and Drighlington.
Now, an interactive map has been published that gives people the chance to see for the first time exactly which streets will be in the thick of the action next summer.
Riders will set of from The Headrow before travelling down Briggate and Boar Lane - then they'll head via via Woodhouse Lane, Hyde Park Corner and Otley Road into Headingley before travelling west on North Lane and Kirkstall Lane.
Key roads on the rest of the route include:
Bridge Road at Kirkstall, which will take the riders across the River Aire;
Broad Lane, Waterloo Lane, Lower Town Street and Henconner Lane in Bramley;
Butt Lane between its junctions with Pudsey Road – near Farnley Reservoir – and Tong Road at Farnley;
Whitehall Road, from its junction with Back Lane at New Farnley, to Drighlington.
From Drighlington, the riders will cross into Kirklees and then head over the Pennines into Manchester.
Leeds City Council will be keeping people fully updated about the planning involved to host the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including road closures and other traffic management measures.
Following its visit to Leeds, the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will run from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31 before finishing in London on August 1.
The event will make Leeds the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift promises to be a great occasion for Leeds and one that will raise our profile on the international sporting stage while also delivering a boost to the local economy.
“Today’s announcement of further route details is a reminder that the countdown to July 30 is well and truly on, with a huge amount of planning and preparation work already taking place.
“As part of that work, we will be doing our utmost to ensure residents and businesses have all the information they need about the arrangements for the day.
“People in Leeds are famed for the passionate support they show when the city hosts major sporting events and I’m sure this one will be no different. Roll on next July!”
A new bar dedicated to Guinness and games is coming to Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Sophie Smith -
15th December 2021 
