When the leaves change from green to gorgeous oranges and reds, the weather drops 15 to 20 degrees, and everyone starts adorning their sock caps and light jackets; you can count on one thing: Costco's pumpkin pie is back. Kirkland's signature pumpkin pie has been around since the 1980s with its beautiful crust and unbeatable price. Customers go crazy for this sweet treat every year; around September 1, the pie starts hitting the shelves. People have many questions about Costco's famous pumpkin pie, but you can read all about what makes it unique here. When purchasing it, one frequent question is, can you freeze Costco's pumpkin pie? We will explore this question and more in this article.
Can You Freeze Costco's Pumpkin Pie?
Let's get right down to it; yes, you can freeze Costco's signature Kirkland pumpkin pie. One can hear a collective sigh of relief worldwide. This is because one common theme when someone purchases this pie is not being able to eat it all in one sitting! It is that big! Costco's pie is a little over 3.5 pounds and costs $5.99. So, being able to freeze it in all its glory and deliciousness is a significant reassurance.
How to Freeze Costco's Pumpkin Pie
The method to freeze Costco's pumpkin pie is the same method to freeze any pumpkin pie. Whether you are freezing the pie whole or in individual pieces, the steps remain the same:
- Be sure that the pie completely cools off. Then, wrap the pumpkin pie in two or three layers of plastic wrap.
- Wrap the pie yet again in aluminum foil. Many customers recommend freezing the pie right away for the best results.
- The pumpkin pie can stay in the freezer for up to a month for the best quality.
How Long Does The Pie Last in the Refrigerator?
If you plan on bringing Costco's pumpkin pie to a holiday gathering and prefer not to freeze it, it keeps in the refrigerator for three to four days. The freshness and quality of the pie will last this long in the refrigerator if the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and within the sell-by-date.
According to the USDA, pies that are egg-rich or contain custard must be refrigerated after cooking and cooling. This is because bacteria harmful to our health can start forming within the pies if left out too long.
Can Costco's Pumpkin Pie Sit Out on the Counter?
Food storage can be confusing; using this guide to determine how long certain foods can sit out at room temperature will be helpful. According to the FDA, pumpkin pie can sit safely on the counter for up to two hours. After two hours, it should be stored safely in the refrigerator or freezer.
In Conclusion
If you are a fan of the spicy and flavorful pumpkin pie that Costco has made popular, don't hesitate to run out and grab one for yourself! You can rest easy knowing if you don't eat it all, the freezer is right there, allowing you to savor everything delicious about this pumpkin pie!
Recipe Card
Want to make your own? Try out this delicious pumpkin pie recipe. Enjoy!
PrintHomemade Pumpkin Pie
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups pumpkin (canned or puree)
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Pastry for 1 pie crust (recipe here)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place pie crust dough round into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim edges to extend about a 1/2-inch over the rim of the pan. Fold edges under, and press to seal. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.
- Cut a large circle of parchment; fit into the pie shell, extending above edges. Fill the shell with pie weights or dried beans.
- Bake pie shell 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. Remove weights and parchment; bake 10 to 15 minutes more until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Place pumpkin in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs well. Beat in half and half, vanilla extract, brown sugar, salt, and spices until thoroughly blended. Add in the pumpkin mixture, mix well.
- Pour pumpkin mixture into pie shell and place in center oven rack . Bake for 30-40 minutes until the filling is firm.
- Using an electic mixer, whip cream until almost stiff. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until cream holds peaks. Spread over top of cooled pie or serve in a chilled bowl for individual serving.
- Cool completely on wire racks and serve with whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©MomsWhoThink / Eric Bleeker .