No matter how many guides there are for making the right amount of food for Thanksgiving (we even have our own chart for preparing enough food based on your guest count), there are always leftovers. Not that anyone complains. As you're wrapping up leftovers on Thanksgiving night, you may be wondering how to store apple pie so that the crust stays crisp and the filling stays flavorful. On Friday morning, enjoy a slice of pie to accompany your breakfast sandwich made with cranberry sauce, turkey slices, and stuffing piled between a sliced buttermilk biscuit. Ahead, find even more delicious tips for ensuring that your apple pie tastes fresh days after Thanksgiving.
How to store apple pie
Of course you may be asking, do I have to store the pie? What if I just ate the rest of it right here, right now? I hear you. I see you. And I'm with you. But if you're a responsible adult that can practice restraint around baked goods like apple pie, you may want to learn how store it properly so that it stays good for Black Friday and beyond. So what's the best way to store apple pie? "Once the pie is baked and fully cooled, store it at room temperature on a cool counter (i.e. out of direct heat), under a pie dome, in a pie box, or wrapped in plastic wrap," says Lana, the office manager of Sister Pie in Detroit, Michigan.
If you won't be serving the apple pie for a day or two after Thanksgiving, you can store it in the fridge, but Lana recommends letting it come up to room temperature before serving. However, she advises against storing a fully baked pie in the freezer.
In addition to location, location, location, it's also important to properly wrap and seal an apple pie. If using plastic wrap, Lana recommends double wrapping the pie. To do this, "pull a long sheet of plastic wrap, place the whole pie tin on the wrap, and fold the ends over each other," says Lana. Folding the ends over each other ensures that both the tops and sides are securely covered, which keeps the apple pie protected and fresh for as long as possible. If you want to reduce your plastic usage, Lana adds that can store your pie under a pie dome, in a pie box, or in an airtight plastic container.
"The trick for all of these methods is to make sure the apple pie is at room temperature before storing it; otherwise condensation can gather from the warm pie and make the whole thing a slick, soggy mess," advises Lana.
But wait . . . I haven't baked it yet
If you are ahead of the game and prepared your pie a few days early, first of all, props to you! But second of all, there are a couple of steps to follow to properly store a pie before baking it. "While we don't typically recommend assembling apple pies too far in advance, we would recommend that you store a pre-made, unbaked fruit pie in the freezer and then pop it into the oven to bake from frozen," says Lana.
How long is pie good for?
A pie that has been properly stored at room temperature will be good for 2 days. However, fruit pies can also be refrigerated for up to 5 days, says Lana, giving you a few bonus days of sweetness. For the best flavor and texture, it's best to eat the pie within one to 2 days (preferably with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream). That shouldn't be too hard to manage, right?
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