If you're feeling overwhelmed that Thanksgiving is upon us -- perhaps you've just found out that there will be 12 for dinner instead of 8, or you're not feeling well -- you can always send someone to the store for an emergency frozen pie. But which one will taste the best?
The San Francisco Chronicle rounded up an expert panel and demanded that they rate frozen apple pies based on taste. Here's what they found.
Generally speaking, none of them liked frozen pie -- what a surprise! But, when pressed, here are the brands they liked from best to worst, out of a possible score of 100:
Vermont Mystic Pie Co. - 67
Sara Lee Deep Dish - 67
Trader Joe's - 65
Duarte's - 24
Mrs. Smith's - 24
Traditional - 24
Christine's - 20
Sara Lee - 18
Mrs. Smith's Deep Dish - 12
Wholly-Wholesome - 12
Amy's - 4
We think if you are forced to buy a frozen dessert, you should go with Marie Callender's Peach Cobbler. It's uncooked; you put it in the oven and bake it per the package directions. Add some vanilla ice cream and you're all set. We don't think a pre-cooked, frozen pie can be anything but a mushy mess. Go with frozen, but uncooked. And if you're really pressed for time, buy a pumpkin pie at your local grocery store or bakery. Central Market, Whole Foods and many other stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day in the morning.
