Forget turkey [1] and pigs in blankets! Name a better Christmas [2] food than mince pie. Go on, I dare you. Obviously the best festive sweet treat ever created (closely followed by panettone, rum balls, and gingerbread men), I've often wondered how those who are vegan [3] must up enough willpower to go without them.

From the fruit mince to the melt-in-your-mouth shortcrust pastry, mince pies are pure perfection — and there's nothing better than eating the leftover batter while you're waiting for them to cook. They are so good, in fact, that I just couldn't let our vegan friends go without. So, I hunted down the best vegan mince pie recipes I could find, to make sure nobody's taste buds miss out this festive season.

Click through to check out the recipes, then prepare to mix up batches and batches of vegan mince pies that might just be better than the originals.

Gluten-Free Vegan Mince Pies

Gluten-free and vegan? Consider yourself sorted. These Gluten-Free Vegan Mince Pies [4] courtesy of Rhian's Recipes (which are also free of refined sugar, by the way) were made for you. Just the right amount of sweet, they're easy to make and even easier to eat.

Vegan Mince Pies

Where most traditional mince pie recipes use butter for the pastry base, these Vegan Mince Pies [5] from Birmingham-based vegan blog Domestic Goddess, use coconut oil with a dash of vodka. The result is simply delicious. Eat them while they're hot!

Raw Mince Pies

The Raw Chef [6] knows all about vegan Christmas food, but it's his Raw Mince Pies [7] I can't stop baking. Complete with a creamy cashew icing, they almost look too good to eat. But don't let that stop you. Plate them up at your next party and I promise they'll disappear.

Family-Size Festive Sweet Mince Pie

If you're a true lover of mince pies like me, you won't regret whipping up this Family-Size Festive Sweet Mince Pie [8] from the blog Bit of the Good Stuff. Not only will you be able to serve yourself up a slice three times the size of a traditional pie, but you'll also be able to convince vegan sceptics that cooking without dairy is just as good as cooking with it.

Vegan Mince Pies With a Gingerbread Crust

Vegan Mince Pies With a Gingerbread Crust [9] from the gluten-free recipe blog A Saucy Kitchen, might just be the ultimate Christmas treat. Combining the flavours of gingerbread with that of mince pies, you get all the festive feels in just one bite.

Viennese Whirl Mince Pies

These Viennese Whirl Mince Pies [10] courtesy of The Cook & Him are a total game changer. Each topped with a soft, buttery whirl, they're not as rich in fruit as usual, meaning the ratio is ideal for anyone who claims to hate sweet mince. Pair with mulled wine if you like things extra sweet, though.

Healthier Vegan Mince Pies

Christmas food can be overwhelming, especially when you're trying to be healthy. That's why these Healthier Vegan Mince Pies [11] — from The Healthy Tart food blog — skip the booze in favour of fresh orange juice.