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Hi Bold Bakers!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS POST: A cost breakdown of homemade pumpkin pie vs. store-bought, and the answer to the ultimate Thanksgiving question: is homemade worth it?
As the holidays approach, the debate over homemade versus store-bought pumpkin pie takes center stage. Is it better to save time with a store-bought pie or impress your guests with a homemade one? Let’s break it down!
For under $6, you can create a rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced pumpkin pie from scratch, using my classic Pumpkin Pie Recipe. The best part? You’ll also enjoy the buttery, flaky goodness of my Homemade Pie Crust. Not only does homemade beat store-bought in price, but it also wins in quality and flavor, bringing that extra touch of love and care to your Thanksgiving table.
Curious about the difference? My Homemade Pie Crust Vs. Store-Bought Crust article dives into the costs, taste, and overall experience, so you can see why homemade is the perfect choice for the season’s most cherished dessert.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This post was improved and updated on 11/21/2024, to include new store-bought pumpkin pie prices, homemade pumpkin pie costs, and a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Vs. Store Bought: The Cost Breakdown
Depending on where you are located, the price of ingredients will vary. The following costs of ingredients are based on an average of prices I found at different stores throughout the US, based on my research in November 2024.
They could be a bit more or a bit less, depending on what the demand looks like in your area. For example, I saw in some cities in the US a pound of butter was over $6! So please keep in mind these won’t be exact prices for everyone.
Which brand you choose will also make a difference — store-brand ingredients will be cheaper than name-brand.
Homemade Pie Crust Cost Breakdown:
Average cost of butter: $4.72/pound
Recipe cost: $0.93
Average cost of flour: $0.50/pound
Recipe cost: $0.2
Average cost of powdered sugar: $1.32/pound
Recipe cost: $0.02
Average cost of salt: $1.04/pound
Recipe cost: <$0.01
Average cost of eggs: $2.80
Recipe cost: $0.18
Total: $1.33
Compare that $1.33 to store-bought — I found refrigerated Pillsbury pie crust cost $4.24 ($2.72 more than my homemade) and frozen Marie Callender pie crust cost $3.12 ($1.79 more than my homemade.)
Pumpkin Pie Filling Cost:
Average cost of store-bought pumpkin puree: $1.47 (15 oz can)
Recipe cost: $1.2
Average cost of eggs: $2.80 per dozen
Recipe cost: $0.36
The average cost of canned evaporated milk: $1.32 (12floz can)
Recipe cost: $1.2
Average cost of brown sugar: $2.35 (1 pound)
Recipe cost: $0.33
Average cost of maple syrup: $6.98 (12.5floz bottle)
Recipe cost: $1.55
Average cost of store-bought pumpkin pie spice: $4.17 (1.65 oz)
Recipe cost: $0.20
Average cost of salt: $1.04/pound
Recipe cost: <$0.01
Total: $3.3
Add that total to our pie crust total, and you get $4.63.
Keep in mind this recipe can be made even cheaper if you opt to make a few ingredients at home!
Buying sugar pumpkins and making homemade pumpkin puree is super simple and a great way to use fresh ingredients. You can even make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice — I tend to always have these spices on hand, and I bet you do, too, so that lowers my cost even more. If you don’t want to buy a can or have plenty of whole milk at home, you can make homemade evaporated milk, too!
I know this can all seem pretty “penny-pinching,” but if your grocery list looks anything like mine, then you know those pennies can add up quickly. Using my homemade ingredients, I was able to take my total down below $7!
The biggest splurge for this recipe is the pure maple syrup, which I know can be pretty pricey. Sadly, outside of tapping your own trees and boiling down sap, there’s no alternative to buying maple syrup. But, to me, the flavor of pure maple in pumpkin pie is worth the price.
Taste Test: Homemade Pumpkin Pie Vs. Store Bought
You will find all different price points for store-bought pumpkin pie — from frozen pies, like Marie Callender’s, which cost around $6-$7, to higher-quality pies found at farmers’ markets and incredible bakeries, which could cost you well over $20.
If you can’t fathom whipping together one more thing on Thanksgiving, then frozen pies are a great, convenient option but a bit lacking in flavor and texture. If you have the means, buying from a bakery is also a great time-saving option.
However, if you want the highest quality and the best bang for your buck, I highly recommend baking homemade. The flavor is unquestionable, and you get bragging rights! My pumpkin pie has a super silky custard, and my pie crust is as flakey and buttery as you can imagine!
Is Homemade Pumpkin Pie Healthier Than Store Bought?
Now, I wouldn’t call pie a healthy dessert option, but I do believe making homemade pumpkin pie is a better option than store-bought when it comes to ingredients and nutrition. Store-bought pies could be made with preservatives, which your homemade pie will be free of — on top of that, I love knowing exactly what I’m putting into my baked goods.
I’ll ask my doctor if a slice of pumpkin pie counts as my daily serving of fruit and get back to you.
Is Making Homemade Pumpkin Pie Worth It?!
On top of saving you some of your hard-earned money, pumpkin pie also happens to be one of the easiest pies to make! Learning how to make the perfect pie crust is so fulfilling, and the pumpkin pie filling can be made in just one bowl!
I’ll also defend making pie from scratch until I’m blue in the face. There’s no better feeling than taking a fresh dessert out of the oven and serving it to your loved ones around your holiday table.
Give my Homemade Pumpkin Pie and Buttery Pie Crust a try this holiday season! It’s a pie you won’t regret!
Learn More Tricks And Tips For Homemade Pie:
- How To Blind Bake A Pie Crust
- Buttermilk Pie Crust
- 5 Impressive & Easy Pie Design Techniques
- 5-Minute No-Roll Pie Crust (No Equipment)
- The Flakiest Gluten-Free Pie Crust
IMPORTANT NOTE: This post was improved and updated on 11/21/2024, to include new store-bought pumpkin pie prices, homemade pumpkin pie costs, and a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video.
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Watch The Recipe Video!
Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients
Homemade Pie Crust
- 1 recipe Homemade Pie Crust
Pumkpin Pie Filling
- 2 cups (1 can/15 oz/425 g) pumpkin puree (homemade or store bought)
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 cup (8 fl oz/240 ml) evaporated milk
- ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Pie Crust
For Pumpkin Pie Filling
- In a medium bowl combine all of the pie filling ingredients and whisk until smooth and lump free.
- Pour filling into the prepared crust and brush the rim with egg wash.
- Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 35 to 45 minutes longer or until the crust is golden brown and the top of the pie is set (cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning if necessary.)
- Cool on a wire rack for about an 1 hour. Once cooled refrigerate for at least two hours but up to 2 days.
- Enjoy with whipped cream! Store leftovers for up to 2 days. This pie does not take well to freezing.
no recipes for pie crush 2$
Hi I love pumpkin pie so I’m making it for Christmas can’t wait to have it. Thank you for your tips on the pastry.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’m excited to be able to make this for Thanksgiving