How good can a $5.99 pie taste?
Please note that this review was not paid for or sponsored by any third party. I purchased this product with my own money and the opinions in this review are strictly my own. I am not affiliated with Costco or any of its suppliers. I am just a fan of the company. I write these reviews to help my fellow shoppers.
Hi everyone! It’s Natalie from Costcuisine. Fall is in the air so I’m reviewing all the different, new foods at Costco! If you would like to read more Costco food reviews visit my Costco food review blog.
I am thrilled to tell you that pumpkin pie season has officially arrived at Costco and I have taste-tested the 2018 Costco Kirkland Signature Pumpkin Pie! Every year around this time it seems like I find half of the shopping carts at Costco all contain this same classic item.
Pumpkin pie is traditionally pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar and spices baked into a pie crust. There are numerous recipes available online for homemade pumpkin pie and they all have slight individual tweaks. To make a pumpkin pie from scratch is pretty labor-intensive and unfortunately they don’t always turn out looking or tasting as good as you hope they will. Costco pumpkin pie has basically turned me off of ever making pumpkin pie again. I definitely enjoy baking Thanksgiving desserts but after trying this pumpkin pie there’s no going back for me.
It had been a while since I have tasted the Costco Pumpkin Pie but I can confirm that this year the pie remains delicious! The filling basically melts in your mouth and is very soft. We tried the pie the same day it was made, so it’s possible the filling may firm up after it has been out a few days. Despite the filling being so soft, it is still easy to cut and the slices hold their shape well. The Costco Pumpkin Pie is simple, sweet and delicious. The spices are balanced and complement each other; you can definitely taste nutmeg and cinnamon and you don’t get any overpowering tastes of any one particular spice. The pie crust is quite soft, slightly flaky, not too crispy and also not very thick. The flavor of the crust is really nice and subtly buttery. If you enjoy quite a thick, crispy, extremely flaky crust you may be slightly disappointed. I ate all of my crust which I think says something considering a lot of people like to leave the crust if it’s too dry.
Actual pumpkin is very healthy for you, but pumpkin pie is not. Nutritionally there’s a reason we only eat pumpkin pie a few times a year!
Costco Pumpkin Pie comes conveniently packed in a large protective plastic container that can be resealed after opening. I like to slice mine up into individual pieces and then place the entire container in the freezer. This makes it super easy to grab a slice to defrost whenever I feel like it. This pie is the perfect treat to bring to work or to a Thanksgiving gathering. If you’re like me and can’t eat Pumpkin Pie without whipped cream then there’s one job you need to do in order to complete this dessert. If you get out of baking the pie, whipping the cream seems like a breeze. I love adding a dash of cinnamon to my pumpkin pie whipped cream (try it, it’s so good!). Costco is always fully-stocked with these pies prior to the holiday, so fear not because if you go, you’ll probably easily get one. Last Thanksgiving at Costco they had an actual tower of these ready for shoppers.
I believe the price point of the Pumpkin Pie from Costco is what causes home bakers drop their rolling pins, turn off their ovens and drive to Costco every holiday season. This massive 12 inch pie is $5.99 Canadian. It’s almost unbelievable how cheap it is considering how good it tastes. To buy all the ingredients for Pumpkin Pie from scratch, you’re probably looking at more than $5.99. I wouldn’t want to see this pie any cheaper because I would fear the quality might be compromised. I have no problem spending $5.99 on this delicious dessert. At this price, I’d totally bring one of these to work for my coworkers to enjoy.
In summary, I don’t think it’s possible to find a cheaper, tastier pumpkin pie for the holiday season. If you make your own pie from scratch, I commend you! Even so, a Costco pumpkin pie is great to have as a backup or even just to enjoy in the weeks before or after Thanksgiving. For those of you like me who are repeat purchasers of the Costco Pumpkin Pie, you and your guests will not be disappointed this year.
Taste: 10/10
Cost: 10/10
Convenience: 10/10
Nutrition: 1/10
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dessert? Do you prefer whipped cream or ice cream with your pumpkin pie?
I totally agree! Costco makes the second-best pumpkin pie I have ever tasted – I make the best (there’s a secret to it), but not having to make it at all wins hands-down!
Myself and my friends find this pumpkin pie to be so bad that we have all said we would never buy it again. I’m not sure how you find it so tasty, but the only good thing we liked about it was the price.
The gelatin layer is completely normal. It comes from a natural process when the cornstarch in the ingredients reacts with the liquids under high heat in the oven.
Yeah, no, I make my own pumpkin pie and it does not end up with this layer. It is actually a top coat of harmony glaze and it is not good.
I love pumpkin pie too and you can’t beat the price. But I’ve also been turned off by the gelatin layer on top and I don’t understand why it’s there or what it’s for, as I don’t get that on other store-bought pumpkin pies. Maybe someone could ask Costco? I’m also in Winnipeg
My family love this pumpkin pie so I’m glad it’s available this year again. Thanks for posting this…Question about the freezing….do you just put it in the freezer in the plastic container it comes in without any additional wrap? Love this idea as Thanksgiving meal is so busy…
Hi Chris! So what I did is I cut all my pieces without taking them out and then just put it the whole container in the freezer. It’s super easy to just pop out a piece to defrost now.
that’s awesome! Thanks for responding. I love that idea…dessert will be a breeze!
i agree it is great value. but i don’t personally care for the soggy crust.
Bought one this week n found the filling not cooked enough. It was very soupy in the middle. Should cook them longer. They are great pies for that price but need more time in oven. I bake pumpkin pies also do know when the middle is cooked. Just a suggestion.
I also find it is not cooked enough. It is also too sweet. It used to be less sweet and cooked more. I liked it better then. Recipe change maybe??
Everyone in my house loves the Costco Pumpkin Pie. We serve it with real whip topping and it is a big hit every time. I always buy an extra one to freeze. Love the $5.99 price.
I see some people mentioning a gelatin layer, I’ve never seen gelatin on any Costco Pumpkin pie I’ve ever had. Is it made differently in different locations?
My gelatin covered pie came from Winnipeg
I’ve never seen what your referring to……and I’ve purchased dozens, return it if so, eat a piece in the parking lot before going home yet and return it but I’m wondering if you’re thinking of another pie?
It’s definitely the in-store baked pumpkin pie for $5.99 at Costco that has the gelatin layer on top. I’m not thinking of a different pie.
Yes! There’s gelatin layer on it!!
I just bought pumpkin pie at willington Burnaby in BC.
I see the clear liquids slowly sliding on top of the pumpkin filling when I lift it up to place in my cart.
If nobody mentioned about it, I’ve never notice it.
This is so good to know! My husband loves, loves, loves pumpkin pie and I don’t mind making it but I can’t even make it for $5.99 and definitely not Costco sized! I am going to pick one up for Thanksgiving next time I’m in Costco….he will love it! He covers his in whipped cream btw!!! The only way he eats it!!!
It’s been years since I’ve bought the Costco pumpkin pie. Does it still have the thick (1/8 of an inch) layer of gelatin on top? It doesn’t look like it in your pictures. That was the one thing my family didn’t like.
Yes it does, just put more whipped cream on top to hide it lol!
The last time I bought this pumpkin pie I was not impressed,it was lacking in flavour it was so good befor,I also had family members who felt the same way,not sure I would buy Again
Oh no! How disappointing! I wonder if they made it differently somehow at the location you purchased it from.
I believe it to be the best pumpkin pie out there. I have tried bakery one’s and they do not compare. I also cut the pie up and freeze into dessert sections. You really don’t need to big a piece. Love it!
You definitely don’t need a big piece. So good!
I cut the pie up in individual pieces and wrap them in plastiv wrap and freeze them.
They take no time to thaw and are delicious
I love how well it freezes also!
I noticed there was no mention of the gelatin layer on top of the pie filling. While it doesn’t bother me, some may be disappointed to find this when they open the lid.
This is very true! I was weirded out the first time I cut into one.
Thanks for adding this review. I agree, it’s a great pie, the best store-bought and you CAN NOT beat the price! I was wondering so it’s great to hear it freezes well!
Thanks again for the great content on your blog!
You seriously can’t beat the price. $5.99 and it’s huge! 🙂