Forget chocolate, Sainsbury’s is launching a new mince pie advent calendar

| Senior Lifestyle Reporter Published September 25, 2026 11:35am Updated September 25, 2026 11:39am Love a mince pie? Sainsbury’s has just the thing for you… (Picture: Getty Images) Is there such a thing as too much chocolate? I’m not convinced, but if you find yourself getting a bit sick of it at Christmas time, Sainsbury’s upcoming launch might be ideal for you. The retailer has just unveiled a new advent calendar, and you won’t find a single piece of chocolate inside. Instead, behind each of the 24 doors is a mince pie. There are three different types of mince pie inside (Picture: Sainsbury’s) When does Sainsbury’s mince pie advent calendar launch? Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Mince Pie Advent Calendar will arrive on supermarket shelves from November 1, and it’ll also become available to buy online the same day. Inside, there will be three varieties of mince pie: Brandy, Port & Brown Butter Mince Pies, Viennese Whirl Mince Pies, and All Butter Mince Pies. The latter is a classic, while the Brandy, Port and Brown Butter one features all butter pastry enriched with brown butter. It’s then filled with a brandy and port fruit mincemeat and finished with pecan pieces for added crunch. And, as the name suggests, the Viennese Whirl mince pie is topped with a ‘soft and crumbly’ Viennese Whirl. It also features an all butter pastry shell and is filled with a brandy and port fruit mincemeat. The advent calendar is a bit pricier than the average chocolate one and will set shoppers back £20. It’s filled with Taste the Difference pies (Picture: Sainsbury’s) Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said they’re ‘excited’ for the advent calendar to launch, and they’re not the only ones, as customers have been sharing their excitement on social media too. On Facebook, Matt Youlden said the calendar was a ‘great idea’, as Stuart Barrie claimed they ‘loved it’. ‘This is the one I want,’ commented Kelly Rees. And Julie Butler simply wrote: ‘Yes please.’ Others shared that they thought it looked ‘yummy’ and ‘cute’, and they ‘needed it’ immediately. Would you buy a mince pie advent calendar? Sign up to Metro's The Slice newsletter for your guide to what's on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways. What else is new for Christmas? Not a big mince pie fan? Not to worry, as there will be plenty more treats hitting shops soon for Christmas. Sainsbury’s has lots more in store, from new Christmas tipples (Christmas Pudding Cream Liqueur) and Pistachio Panettone, to a showstopping Taste the Difference Discovery Pigs in Blanket Wreath. M&S also recently unveiled its festive range, which featured malt and cookie mince pie alternatives, chocolate s’mores desserts, and a new twist on limoncello. Over at Tesco you’ll find some fun party food for the festive period, including Tesco Finest Sweet Potato Tikka Baonuts, which are bao-style doughnut bites, and Tesco Finest Loaded Potato Bites with Truffle Cheese Sauce. Deals of the Day I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale And Waitrose is bringing the nostalgia this Christmas with retro desserts like No.1 Jewelled Winter Berry Panna Cotta, and savouries such as No.1 Lobster & Prawn Vol Au Vents. More food stories from Metro... Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Do we all need to stock up on doomsday essentials? Readers discuss Arrow MORE: The supermarket fashion and homeware buys that look far more expensive than they are Arrow MORE: Major UK train station to close for 5 days in December — including Christmas Eve The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.