Nothing beats a delicious dessert full of spices and flavor during the holidays, much like Costco's signature Kirkland pumpkin pie. This pie has been a favorite for years. In fact, it first hit the shelves in the 1980s, and its recipe has remained relatively the same throughout the decades. It brings comfort, spice, and everything in between. However, one question is on many people's minds: Is Costco's pumpkin pie healthy? This article will explore this question, the ingredients in this pie, and more.
Costco's pumpkin pie has many qualities going for it. Its crust is flaky, soft, and relatively fragile. The filling is spicy but not too spicy. It contains just the right amount of flavor. This famous pie is well-loved and flies off the shelves right through the fall and winter months, which is not surprising given its price of $5.99 for a pie of its size!
Is Costco's Pumpkin Pie Healthy?
The answer to this question is no, Costco's pumpkin pie is not healthy. Delicious? Yes. Healthy? No. Kirkland's signature pie is quite large for your typical store-bought pumpkin pie. It is slightly over 3.5 pounds and contains approximately 323 calories per slice. Let's break down the nutrients in each slice of Costco's popular pumpkin pie.
One slice of pumpkin pie is approximately 133 grams.
Based on the pie being roughly 58 ounces and 12 inches in diameter, the approximate amount of calories for the entire pie amounts to 3,992.
Calories | 323 |
Total Fat | 13g |
Saturated Fat | 2.6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.4g |
Monounsaturated Fat | 6.1g |
Cholesterol | 35mg |
Sodium | 318mg |
Total Carbohydrates | 46g |
Dietary Fiber | 2.4g |
Sugars | 25g |
Protein | 5.2g |
Vitamin D | 0.1mcg |
Calcium | 85mg |
Iron | 1.2mg |
Potassium | 222.1mg |
As you can see, Costco's pumpkin pie is high in calories, sodium, and cholesterol. On the other hand, each slice does contain calcium, iron, and potassium. However, the good doesn't exactly outweigh the bad in this case. While the pie is delicious, it isn't exactly nutritious.
What are the Ingredients in Costco's Pumpkin Pie?
When taking a look at the ingredients in the pumpkin pie, they aren't too complex. They include the following:
- Pumpkin
- Sugar
- Water
- Eggs
- Enriched Flour (Wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamine, mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Shortening (soybean oil, mono- & diglycerides, TBHQ, citric acid)
- Nonfat milk
The pie also contains two percent or less of the following ingredients:
- Spices
- Corn syrup solids
- Modified corn starch
- Salt
- Canola & or soybean oil
- Dextrose
There are a few ingredients to be aware of for customers who have allergies. Costco's pumpkin pie contains eggs, milk, and wheat. In addition, the label states that the product is made around equipment that produces tree nuts, dairy, season, and peanuts. Therefore, those who have food allergies need to read the ingredients carefully.
Tips For Serving Costco's Pumpkin Pie
Costco shoppers know what a deal you can find with this pumpkin pie. Yet, with a pie as big as this one (12 inches!), it can be a good idea to stock up on some helpful tips. These can especially come in handy after you run out and purchase your next Costco pumpkin pie. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Yes, you can freeze Costco's pumpkin pie. In fact, with this thing's size, it is highly encouraged so that you can enjoy the deliciousness for as long as possible. Wrap the pumpkin pie in one to two plastic wrap layers and once in aluminum foil. The pie will be good for one month in the freezer.
- Freezing the pie in individual slices will allow you to pull out one piece at a time without having to dethaw the whole pie.
- The pumpkin pie can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days.
- Chill Costco's pumpkin pie before serving. The filling is a tad watery. Therefore, cutting the perfect slice can be challenging when warm.
One Last Note
Going back to the previous question, is Costco's pumpkin pie healthy? It is safe to say no, not exactly. It is a sweet and delicious treat that many people rave about around the holidays. However, it is not exactly screaming nutritious for our health. Of course, this is to be expected from a holiday dessert. So, don't worry about eating Costco's pumpkin pie for health. Instead, enjoy it in moderation, like dessert should be eaten.
While Costco's pumpkin pie isn't exactly healthy, it is tasty with a hint of spice and perfect for bargain shoppers. After all, it is hard to beat $5.99 for a holiday dessert this size!
Recipe Card
Want to make your own? Try our delicious and easy pumpkin pie recipe. Enjoy!
PrintPumpkin PIe
- Total Time: 0 hours
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 it into the pie shell, extending above the 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, and mix well.
- Pour pumpkin mixture into pie shell and place in center oven rack. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the filling is firm.
- Cool completely on wire racks.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 30 ninutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
The image featured at the top of this post is ©MomsWhoThink / Eric Bleeker .