The Costco Pie That’s Better than Homemade

Costco shoppers expect to get a lot for their money. A set of tires includes balancing and rotation, gift cards come at a hefty discount, and two jars of the best pasta sauce cost the same price as one at a regular grocery. At this time of year when food and festivities push budgets to the breaking point, I’ve uncovered a deal that turned out to be a two-for-one dessert. And I can’t wait to serve it this holiday season. It’s Costco’s bakery apple pie!

Costco’s apple pie is one of the best grocery store apple pies I’ve tasted. The filling is packed with hearty bites of fresh apple in a not-too-sweet syrup flecked with warm cinnamon.

As a crust-lover, the pastry is actually the most eye-opening part of the pie. Weighing in at more than four pounds, this pie is extra-large. Its size makes it nearly impossible for the center crust to become as crispy as the outer edge — and that’s a good thing. As I dug into the center of my slice with its slightly soft and tender pastry, I realized that this pie was actually a pie and a cobbler in one!

Instead of approaching this oversized dessert as I normally would, I now serve this sweet a bit differently: Pie fans are served portions from the perimeter, which guarantees a better pastry-to-filling ratio and a crispier crust. Guests who prefer the tender topping of a cobbler are served a scoop from the center. No matter which section of Costco’s apple pie ends up on your plate, the pastry is topped with a sugary finish that makes each slice sparkle. And of course, there’s nothing like warm apple pie topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.

Find it in stores: Costco’s Apple Pie, $14.99 for 75 ounces

Have you tried Costco’s apple pie? Tell use how you serve this two-for-one dessert.