Get ready for a sweet adventure as we dive into the world of store-bought cherry pies! A Pie-ful Journey Awaits!
I embarked on a tasty mission to uncover the best cherry pies available at your local grocery store. With a year-round supply of these fruity delights, I set out to find the ultimate cherry pie experience.
But here's the catch: Not all cherry pies are created equal. While they may look similar on the outside, it's the inside that truly matters. A perfect cherry pie strikes a delicate balance between juicy, real cherries and a glossy gel, all wrapped in a crust that's both flavorful and textured.
So, let's uncover the sweetest slice of the bunch! Here's a ranking of seven store-bought cherry pies, from worst to best, with some tasty insights along the way.
7. Giant Eagle Market District Cherry Pie
This store-brand pie comes with a hefty price tag and a disappointing taste. The thick lattice crust, though visually appealing, proved to be overwhelming and stale. The filling lacked the necessary gelatinous goop, leaving the pie dry and in need of a side of milk.
6. Sara Lee Cherry Pie
I had high hopes for Sara Lee, a frozen dessert queen, but this pie fell flat. The top crust crumbled, and the cherries were sour. While it lacked juiciness, it did have an advantage over Giant Eagle's pie - freshness straight from the oven. But was it enough to impress?
5. Walmart Freshness Guaranteed Traditional Cherry Pie
A no-frills cherry pie at a great price, this Walmart offering satisfies cravings. The classic dual crusts provide a solid foundation, and the filling bursts with syrupy juices. It's a standard cherry pie, nothing extraordinary, but it does the job.
4. Table Talk Old Fashioned Cherry Pie
Table Talk's snack pies are adorable and affordable. The proportions lean heavily towards crust, but the soft bite and sugar cookie-like flavor make up for it. The filling, though mostly goop, has a bright fruity taste. It's a decent pie, but could use more balance and indulgence.
3. Fresh from Meijer Cherry Pie
Meijer's cherry pie has a unique golden croissant-like crust, smooth and rich. However, the mediocre cherry core, with its gel-heavy filling, lets it down. It's a satisfying pie, but could be improved with more real cherries.
2. Marie Callender's Lattice Cherry Pie
Marie Callender's delivers a tasty cherry treat with its lattice pie. The tangy cherries and lattice crust offer a great balance. The only downside is the gummy, undercooked areas due to the thickness of the lattice strips.
1. Kroger Private Selection Triple Cherry Pie
And the winner is... Kroger's Triple Cherry Pie! This premium pie boasts three types of cherries, creating a rich, complex flavor. The buttery, soft crust with a light crisp is a perfect match. It's a delicious, well-balanced pie that stands out from the rest.
Methodology:
I visited four grocery stores, including national chains and regional grocers, to collect a variety of cherry pies. I judged each pie based on its crust and filling, prioritizing a flaky, buttery crust and a generous amount of real, plump cherries.
So, there you have it! A sweet journey through the world of store-bought cherry pies. Now, I want to hear from you! Which pie would you choose? And what's your secret to a perfect cherry pie experience? Let's discuss in the comments!
