by Sheila Rae Watson

Created on: November 15, 2010

When to buy a store-bought pie crust-

We all love to cook holiday dinners and it would be terrific is every bite of it were made from scratch, homemade being the best food to present to the family and holiday guests. However – we can’t all be Mrs. Crocker so we opt for items that are just as good as mom’s (well, maybe) but are so handy and real time savers, we buy pie crusts.

Reasons to buy crusts:

Convenience – There are many good pie crusts that are widely available in every grocery store.

Variety-There is a broad assortment of pre-made pie crusts available from which to choose; brand names, store brands, and organic packaged, frozen crusts.

Price – It may be that these “store-bought” pie crusts are less expensive to buy than even to make from scratch. The frozen crusts are modestly priced from $2.99 for the store brands to $4.99 for the organic pie crusts. With the dry mixes starting at around $.75 - a true bargain; on up to $2.20 or so.

Probably the best to buy would be the ones that come frozen.

Here is an unbiased review of the common crusts available in the US.

First reviewed were the regular pie crusts which come frozen, ready to thaw and use.

Regular pie crusts

Best rated is Mrs. Smiths – (Frozen)Comes in two’s both in pans, regular size and deep dish size, crimped edges on both, disposable pan.  Ready to use for single crust pies, or thaw, prick and blind bake. Use second crust in package to make top crust. 

Cost: Moderate $2.85

Taste: Perfect, just like homemade. 

-Pillsbury Refrigerated come with 2 rolled crusts, easy to make top crust as opposed to the frozen; will fit into 9” or 10” pie plate.

Cost-$3.15

Taste: Too salty, a bit greasy before baking and very soft texture when serving pie.

“O” (Organic) - 2 crusts, frozen

Cost-Was higher at $4.39

Taste: Buttery, with a delicate homemade taste, flakey

Options: Comes in whole wheat or white,

Taste-Great buttery flavor, good balance between sweet/salty, baked up flakey, but held its shape when served, not crumbling or breaking.

Store brand-(Generic) 2 crusts, frozen, in aluminum pans

Cost: $3.12 for a big disappointment

Taste: Not good, fell apart, crumbly, not sweet enough

Of the tested readymade, frozen pie crusts the winner (unofficially) was the “O”organic pie crusts.  Not only did they taste very good, they were available in a whole wheat version which delighted several of the testers.

-Dry pie crust mixes – two varieties tested

 Jiffy Pie Crust Mix- makes 2 crusts

Cost: $.75 – very affordable for 2 pie crusts

Taste: Good salty to sweet ratio

Easy to use, flakey, nice color, a bit crumbly, but great price!

Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix– makes 2 crusts

Cost: $2.15

Taste: A little chewy, some testers felt it was too greasy

Easy to use, not the best taste.

From this taste test our team discovered that more expensive is not always the best.  The little blue box offers value, good taste, ease of use and was a hit.  Jiffy Pie Crust Mix wins this test.

So - if you are pressed for time, can’t cook, don’t want to cook, or just like the convenience of dry mixes or frozen pie dough, perhaps this short review of some of the most  popular “store-bought” pie crusts was valuable.

Learn more about this author, Sheila Rae Watson.
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