Welcome to the ultimate guide to all your burning Costco pumpkin pie questions! As the leaves begin to fall and the holiday season approaches, one iconic treat graces Costco’s shelves, tantalizing our taste buds with its delicious blend of spices and creamy pumpkin goodness.
But what if you want to savor that pumpkin pie perfection beyond its limited seasonal availability? Can you freeze Costco pumpkin pie and still enjoy it at your leisure? We’ve got answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive Costco pumpkin pie FAQ.
Whether you’re a seasoned Costco shopper or a newcomer eager to explore the world of Costco products, join us as we demystify the secrets of this beloved Thanksgiving dessert and uncover some delightful pumpkin pie hacks along the way.
Does Costco Sell Pumpkin Pie Year Round? Costco Pumpkin Pie Availability 2023
While the warehouse contains several wonderful baked goods (like their muffins), the company does NOT sell their seasonal treats year-round. Costco pumpkin pies begin being sold around September 1 every year and usually leave the warehouse in December.
In 2023, the warehouse sells 12-inch pumpkin pies that weigh over three pounds for $5.99, one dollar cheaper than in 2021. It’s a large pie that easily serves a crowd, and if you don’t get around to eating it, it freezes well.
What Month Does Costco Have Pumpkin Pie?
Costco sells pumpkin pie from September until December. Despite its popularity, It’s a seasonal item, so it is not sold year-round.
Costco Pumpkin Pie Price 2023
A 12-inch Costco pumpkin pie costs $5.99 in 2023. This is an excellent price! We’ve seen smaller 9-inch pies selling for $8.99.
In the past, this fall dessert sold for $6.99 and dropped last year to the current price. Costco hasn’t made the reason for the change public, but on average, pumpkin production in America has increased over the past few years. Perhaps a more robust supply leads to better pricing? We can only speculate at this point.
Whatever the reason for the lower price is, we are welcoming it!
Costco Pumpkin Pie Size
The average size of a Costco pumpkin pie is 12 inches in diameter and weighs over three pounds. That makes the circumference of the pie about 38 inches. Assuming each slice measures 1.5-2”, you can easily cut 16-19 wedges. This is perfect for a holiday gathering.
The Costco pumpkin pie is very large! A standard pie is 9.5”.
How Many People Does A Costco Pumpkin Pie Serve?
By pie standards, this one is LARGE. The standard pie is 9 inches, while the warehouse version is 12 inches. If you cut 1.5-2-inch slices, you can easily get 16-20 slices from a Costco pumpkin pie. This is perfect for a holiday.
Ingredients In Costco Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin, Sugar, Water, Eggs, Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine, Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Shortening (Soybean Oil, Mono And Diglycerides Acid, TBHQ, Citric Acid), Nonfat Milk, Contains 2% Or Less Of The Following: Spices, Corn Syrup Solids, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Canola &/Or Soybean Oil, Dextrose.
Is Costco Pumpkin Pie Gluten-Free?
While pumpkin filling is likely gluten-free, the crust of a Costco pumpkin pie is not. This pie crust contains wheat flour, which has gluten protein in it.
That means that Costco pumpkin pie is NOT Gluten-free.
Besides people with gluten intolerances, those with other allergies may want to avoid eating Costco Pumpkin Pie as it contains wheat, eggs, and milk. It’s also produced on equipment that processes peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and sesame. It’s best to proceed with caution.
Costco Pumpkin Pie Calories
There isn’t any nutrition information on the package, but according to a same-day Costco delivery, there are 320 calories per slice.
Does Costco Have Good Pumpkin Pie – An Honest Review
I make pumpkin pie every year for Thanksgiving. I’ve gone so far as to process my pumpkins to ensure the freshest puree, so I feel I am a good judge here. Costco pumpkin pie is a definite contender.
The texture is solid, and the taste is pretty good. We wish it had a little more pumpkin flavor and the crust was a little blah. Nothing a good dollop of whipped cream doesn’t make you forget.
We would certainly purchase it for a large holiday gathering. The price can’t be beat, and the simple flavors are crowd-pleasers. If you are serving a large group, this is an excellent option.
Should Costco Pumpkin Pie Be Served Warm or Cold?
Costco pumpkin pie can be served warm or at room temperature, based on personal preference. Traditionally, pumpkin pie is served warm.
If you serve it at room temperature, don’t take it out of the refrigerator too early. Pathogens that cause foodborne illness grow over time. Forty-five minutes should be enough time for the pie to increase in temperature. Don’t leave it out for longer than two hours.
How Do You Heat Up Costco Pumpkin Pie?
If you wish to serve Costco pumpkin pie warm, the oven is great for heating the whole pie, and the microwave is best for leftovers. The pie is fully cooked, so you are just warming it
Here’s how to heat up Costco pumpkin pie in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
- Remove the pie from the protective plastic covering.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the desired temperature.
We haven’t had this happen, but keep an eye on the crust. Place a pie of tented foil on top if it starts to change color.
You don’t want the pie piping hot, just warm.
Thirty seconds to one minute should be plenty of time to heat a slice. Do not put metal in the microwave, so remove the slices from the aluminum pie plate before heating.
How Long Does It Take To Thaw A Costco Pumpkin Pie
We’ve found that it takes longer than you’d think to defrost frozen goods. It takes about a day to defrost a Costco pumpkin pie. Place your pie in the refrigerator the day before you wish to use it to thaw.
To warm the pie, place it in a preheated 326-degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
How Do You Cut Costco Pumpkin Pie
To cut a pumpkin pie, you’ll need a serrated knife and spatula. The first slice will be messy, so keep it to a sliver.
Here’s how to cut a Costco pumpkin pie.
- Place the tip of your knife in the center of the pie and bring your arm towards the floor to cut.
- Repeat a short distance away.
- Use a spatula to scoop out the slice.
A standard slice is 1.5-2”, and a Costco Pumpkin pie should get 16-20 slices.
How To Freeze Costco Pumpkin Pie And How Long Can You Freeze Costco Pumpkin Pie?
Costco pumpkin pie can be frozen for up to four months if properly handled and stored. The quality will start to degrade after 1-2 months.
Be sure to properly store and label the item. We’ve had the best results with wrapping a whole or partial pie in two layers of plastic wrap and placing it in a large freezer bag. Zip-loc makes 2-gallon bags that fit a whole pie perfectly.
It’s important when freezing to keep the pie consistently frozen at zero degrees. It’s also important to properly handle the dessert before freezing. Do not leave it at room temperature for longer than two hours. Freezing may stop the production of illness-producing bacteria but doesn’t eradicate it.
Why Is Costco Pumpkin Pie Gritty?
Occasionally, you will get a product that isn’t perfect. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. This is true for Costco pumpkin pies, too. Once in a while, the pie filling has a gritty texture compared to the typical smooth one.
There are two possible reasons. One is that the pumpkin puree wasn’t processed long enough to make it smooth. The inside of this large orange squash is stringy, so it needs a food processor to get the desired silky texture.
Another cause for gritty pumpkin pie is overbaking. Egg proteins in the batter create a net that traps moisture. As the pie bakes, the proteins contract; if they are heated too long, they separate from one another and create curds.
While not ideal, neither is a cause for alarm, and a gritty pie is still safe to eat.
Why Is There Water On My Costco Pumpkin Pie
There are two reasons there’s water on your pumpkin pie; the causes are gathered from when you see it. If there’s water after taking it out of the oven, it’s likely due to overbaking. If you see water droplets on top of the pie after leaving it on the counter, it’s just condensation.
Neither is cause for alarm; simply blot the water with a paper towel to remove it.
It’s important to properly store your pumpkin pie. Since this product has eggs, it’s best to keep it in the refrigerator and not leave it at room temperature for longer than two hours.
Are Costco Pumpkin Pies Cooked?
Yes! Costco pumpkin pies are cooked. You can serve them warm or cold, depending on your personal preference. Twenty minutes in a 325-degree oven should be enough time to warm it.
Since the pie contains eggs, storing it in a refrigerator is best.
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How many pumpkin pies does Costco bake in a season?
i.e. 2022
According to The Street Costco sold approximately 6.3 million pumpkin pies in 2019.