What goes into the mince pies that fuel Norfolk’s Christmas spectacular?

Nick Henry making mince pies at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

It's even said the average Briton eats a whopping 27 mince pies each festive season.

One company firmly on the serving side of mince pie mania is Fakenham-based wholesale bakery Krusty Loaf.

The bakery supplies the sweet treats to shops from Wisbech to Sidestrand, but by far their biggest customer is another famous festive phenomenon, the Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

Krusty Loaf director Nick Henry said the all-singing, all-dancing show served up 500-600 of their mince pies to its guests from across the country every day.

Nick Henry, making mince pies at Krusty Loaf's bakery in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Mr Henry, 36, said: "They've got quite an operation up there, and we've been supplying them for about 30 years.

"Thursford handle them really well. The trick is to serve them warm, and they have warming cabinets to make sure the fat has a nice temperature so it dissolves quickly into the mouth.

"They're more moreish that way and you get more of the aroma."

Their mincemeat is a mix of sultanas, raisins, cherries, almonds, vegetable suet, spices and a dash of brandy.

Showgirls in costume for the Thursford Christmas Spectacular 2019. Picture: THURSFORD (Image: Archant)

But Mr Henry said they go through so much of the filling - roughly a tonne over the six weeks before Christmas - they couldn't possibly make their own, so it comes from an industry wholesaler.

But what is the secret to making a really good mince pie?

Mr Henry said it's all about the pastry.

He said: "It's the same pastry my dad showed me how to make when I first got involved with the bakery.

Mince pie forms ready for filling at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

"We haven't tinkered with the recipe at all.

"You need the right balance between the sugar, the fat and the flour. It's a really short pastry, and we have a lot of good comments about it."

The mince pies are baked for 25 minutes in Krusty Loaf's ovens at 180 degrees before they are sent out for delivery.

On top of all the other loaves, filled sandwiches, tray bakes and other treats, it's pretty much a 24-hour operation.

Paul Henry in the bakery at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Mr Henry's dad Paul, who bought the business in 1987, is now retired, but still comes into help out over the busy summer period and around Christmas time.

A pop of mince pie filling at Krusty Loaf's bakery in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Paul Henry, retired former director of Krusty Loaf in Fakenham, comes in to help out with mince pie production during the festive season. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Mince pies at various stages of production at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Pastry destined to become mince pies at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

The ovens at the bakery at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)

Steve McGhee making mince pie forms prior to filling at Krusty Loaf in Fakenham. Picture: Stuart Anderson (Image: Archant)