Cherry Pie Showdown: Which Store-Bought Slice Reigns Supreme?
Let’s face it—cherry pie is a classic, but not all store-bought versions are created equal. From dry crusts to overly tart fillings, finding the perfect slice can feel like a gamble. But fear not! I’ve done the heavy lifting (or should I say, the heavy tasting?) and ranked seven store-bought cherry pies from worst to best. But here’s where it gets controversial: some of these pies might be sitting on your grocery store shelf right now, and you’ll be shocked to see where they landed on the list. Let’s dive in!
7. Giant Eagle Market District Cherry Pie
This pie had me at hello—and then broke my heart. With its thick lattice crust and sugary topping, it looked like a dream. But looks can be deceiving. The crust was overwhelmingly chewy, almost stale, despite being freshly purchased. The filling? Dry and sour, with too little gel to save it. At its premium price, this pie is a hard pass. And this is the part most people miss: even the crimped edges, which offered a hint of crunch, couldn’t redeem it.
6. Sara Lee Cherry Pie
Sara Lee, a frozen dessert heavyweight, fell flat in this battle. The pie deflated in the oven, and the crust crumbled like a graham cracker gone wrong. While the cherries were plump and free of artificial flavors, they were lip-puckeringly sour. Here’s the kicker: despite being half the price of Giant Eagle’s pie, it still didn’t impress. Freshness was its only saving grace, but that’s a low bar to clear.
5. Walmart Freshness Guaranteed Traditional Cherry Pie
If you’re on a budget, this pie won’t disappoint—but it won’t blow you away either. The crust is solid, if unspectacular, and the filling bursts with syrupy cherries. However, the pinkish tint of the filling screams “artificial,” even though real cherries are the star. The real question: is this pie worth the shelf space? For a quick cherry fix, sure. For a memorable dessert, not so much.
4. Table Talk Old Fashioned Cherry Pie
Table Talk’s mini pies are adorable, but their charm comes with a trade-off. At four inches, they’re perfect for a personal treat, but the crust-to-filling ratio is heavily skewed toward the crust. But here’s the twist: the crust tastes like a sugar cookie, and the filling, though goopy, has a bright, fruity flavor. It’s decent, but not exceptional. Controversial take: these pies are more about nostalgia than quality.
3. Fresh from Meijer Cherry Pie
Meijer’s pie is a study in contrasts. The crust? A golden, croissant-like masterpiece that’s rich and buttery. The filling? A letdown. It’s gel-heavy and tastes like it came straight from a can. The burning question: why pair such a stellar crust with such a mediocre filling? If Meijer could balance these two, this pie would be a contender for the top spot.
2. Marie Callender’s Lattice Cherry Pie
Marie Callender’s pie is a labor of love—it requires baking and cooling, but the payoff is worth it. The cherries are tangy and plentiful, and the lattice crust strikes the perfect balance between dough and fruit. But here’s the catch: some areas of the filling were gummy and undercooked, likely due to the thick lattice strips. A few extra minutes in the oven could solve this, but it’s a small flaw in an otherwise stellar pie.
1. Kroger Private Selection Triple Cherry Pie
And the winner is… Kroger’s Triple Cherry Pie! This pie is a flavor explosion, blending sweet and tart cherries with a buttery, slightly crisp crust. The triple cherry mix adds depth, creating a taste that’s almost strawberry-like but never cloying. The best part? It comes in a half-pie size, perfect for indulging without overdoing it. This pie is the gold standard for store-bought cherry pies.
Methodology: I scoured four grocery stores—Walmart, Kroger, Giant Eagle, and Meijer—to find these pies, tasting both fresh and frozen varieties. Each pie was judged on its crust (flakiness, texture, and flavor) and filling (cherry quality, sweetness, and balance). The best pies combined a buttery crust with a vibrant, well-balanced filling.
Final Thoughts: Cherry pie is a delicate dance between crust and filling, and Kroger’s Triple Cherry Pie nails it. But here’s my challenge to you: do you agree with my rankings? Which pie would you crown the winner? Let’s debate in the comments—I’m ready to defend my choices!
