Sweet Potato Grits

3 Store-Bought Pies That Are (Almost) Better than Homemade

published Now

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Credit: Joe Lingeman

Pie is an incredibly seasonal dessert, inextricably tied to certain holidays and months of the year. But there’s one day of the year that we can celebrate ALL pies in their varied glory, and that’s March 14 (otherwise known as Pi Day). While we wanted to choose 3.141592653 … of the very best store-bought pies to mark the occasion, for these purposes, we rounded down to 3 (like mathematicians do!).

Don’t get us wrong: Homemade pies are a treat to be savored. But we’re also of the belief that there are certain store-bought ones that rival even the most treasured of family recipes. These are the ones that belong in our Grocery Store Pie Hall of Fame.

Credit: Walmart

1. Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie

Although it definitely peaks during certain times of the year, apple pie is pretty much a year-round classic. For those hoping to avoid peeling and slicing a peck of apples, look no further than your grocer’s freezer aisle. The crust on Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie is crumbly, flaky, and browns beautifully (which is no small feat for a frozen pie).

Buy : Marie Callender’s Lattice Apple Pie , $5.97or 42 ounces at Walmart

Watch More In Organize & Clean

Credit: Anna Goldfarb

2. Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie is a beloved summertime treat that’s made with a sweet-tart custard inside a graham cracker crust. Homemade key lime pies have a creamy yellow hue — as opposed to green, like some store-bought varieties. That’s why the key lime pie from Trader Joe’s is so sought-after during the summer when this seasonal pie returns. It’s yellow, it’s made with sweetened condensed milk and real key lime juice (as it should be!), it’s $5.49 — and it’s perfection in a pie.

3. Costco’s Pumpkin Pie

Costco’s top-secret pumpkin pie recipe has remained unchanged for decades. The powers that be at Costco are tight-lipped about the secret spice blend that makes this pie so special. Its massive size is also a major selling point — it’s almost 4 pounds! (And just $5.99.) The only trouble is that this pie is not available year-round. It graces shelves with its presence starting in September, so mark your calendars and grab an extra pie or two to store in the freezer for those months when you can’t find it in stores.

What is your favorite store-bought pie? Share your picks in the comments below.

Patty Catalano

Contributor

Patty is a freelance recipe developer who worked as Alton Brown’s Research Coordinator & Podcast Producer and in the Oxmoor House test kitchen. She loves maple syrup, coffee and board games. Patty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

Source : food