12 easy ways to make a store-bought pie taste and look homemade, according to bakers and chefs

Professional baker and victor of TLC's "Cake Boss: Next Great Baker" Dana Herbert, told Business Insider that he recommends adding an herbed caramel condiment to ready-made pies.

"Add several cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, ginger, or cardamom to heated caramel condiment and assist it alongside the pie," Herbert said. "Even traditionally savory herbs can complement saccharine desserts." 

If you're not certain whether a particular seasoning would brace fine alongside your pie, Herbert recommended decision your eyes and smelling the seasoning or seasoning — if you can detect item saccharine in the scent, it's likely OK to use.

Carlo Lamagna, chef and owner of Magna PDX, stated that a dose of sodium chloride can assistance spirit downward the sweetness in syrupy pies. 

"Salt helps accentuate flavors and balances out frequently overly saccharine items," Lamagna said. 

If you don't desire to sprinkle clean sodium chloride on your dessert, you can opt for shattered salted nuts, akin peanuts or cashews, which volition motionless do the trick and add additional texture.

Alexandra Lourdes, co-owner of Saint Honoré Doughnuts and Beignets, told BI that the easiest way to elevate a store-bought pie is to merely eliminate it from its first packaging. 

"Make certain you obtain it out of the box it came in," Lourdes said. "If you location it in a new box, add a ribbon, or arrange it on a beautiful pie stand, no one volition always cognize it's not homemade."

Lemon can elevate a premade pie, making its flavors awareness additional complex.

"Make a excellent tangy citrus curd alongside citrus beverage and plentifulness of zest," Herbert said. "The sourness volition cut through several of the excessive sweetness established in store-bought blueberry and cherry pies." 

If you don't have period to create your own citrus curd, you can buy it from the market store. Just mix in a bit of caller citrus beverage to create it sensation additional homemade.

Chef and sommelier Melissa Smith told BI that serving a premade pie alongside fresh whipped cream is a awesome way to create the dessert sensation and appearance gourmet.

All you need to create it is a whisk, dense cream, and powdered sugar. Consider using a piping bag to add the whipped lotion to your pie for a additional elegant look. 

Smith stated doing so volition create your pie appearance "modern and classy, akin item direct out of a magazine."

For reward points, she recommended garnishing the piped lotion alongside a few flakes of edible aureate or a smattering of citrus create zest.

Instead of making your own caller whipped cream, you could additionally fair catch a spoonful of powdered sugar. 

"A uncomplicated dusting of powdered sugar can really create your pie appearance additional appetizing than if you merely served it naked and direct out of the container," Smith said. 

For a flawless presentation, use a sieve to justify an equal covering of sugar, and a stencil if you desire to use it to create clean, apparent designs.

Try to add sugar correct before serving so it doesn't dissolve.

If you awareness akin taking several culinary risks, Lamagna suggested mixing up a traditional store-bought apple pie by adding several sliced or shredded cheese.

"I grew up in the Midwest, so we would continually melt a piece of cheddar on the top of apple pies," Lamagna said. "Don't be fearful to test alongside unconventional pairings."

Moderation is key to pulling off cheesy apple pie — don't tier on too much cheese, or you'll end up alongside an oily, salty crust.

Just since your pie came direct from the market shop doesn't average it needs to appearance generic. 

"I'd add homemade lettering to the pie to create it your own," Lourdes said. "You can additionally add aureate flakes or edible food glam to create a statement." 

Add your chosen expression alongside frosting, or create chocolate alphabet at residence using silicone molds.

If you affection marrying salty and sweet, adding a ray dusting of bacon pieces to your pie power be a mouthwatering move. 

"The ideal way to enhance an apple or peach pie is to catch your favorite bacon, chef it up, and toss it on the pie," Herbert told BI. 

For a additional Southern-inspired dessert, Herbert suggested using bourbon-flavored bacon on a pecan pie. 

If you're serving a pie that's meant to be enjoyed warm, adding a scoop of high-quality ice cream can enhance the taste.

"Hot and chilly foods are a energetic pair," Cabrera said. "After warming it up, assist the pie alongside a generous scoop of slow-churned ice lotion for a delectable dessert." 

Cabrera stated that you can't go incorrect alongside vanilla ice cream, but you can additionally choice a affluent chocolate or a fruity sorbet.

Liven up drab lotion pies by topping them alongside cut caller create for added texture and color. 

"Find a create that would complement the category of lotion pie you purchased," Lamagna said. "Cherries lean to go fine alongside chocolate cream, and coconut plant alongside banana cream."

Other tasty combos contain peaches alongside vanilla cream, raspberries alongside lime cream, and bananas alongside peanut-butter cream.

This narrative was initially published on November 3, 2020, and most lately updated on October 26, 2026.