Taste Test: We Sampled and Scored Six Locally Made Pies

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Apple Pie (In a Paper Bag)

ELEGANT FARMER | 1545 MAIN ST., MUKWONAGO

Appearance: Cute mini shape, lofty, with a golden wave of top crust. Bits of fruit popping through. *Only fresh pie available locally in 5-inch size.

Crust: Baking inside a paper bag protects the shell from burning, keeping it crisp, which this one is, maybe to a fault. It also sicks to the paper and is a challenge to cut. 

Filling: Lots of fruit, good crisp-soft texture.

Flavor: Very sweet, subtly spiced.

Comments: Thanks to the steaming effect of the bag, the apples “aren’t too mushy,” but its “hurts your teeth” sweetness was too much for some tasters.

Best for: Texture devotees

Chocolate Cream

BEANS & BARLEY | 1901 E. NORTH AVE. 

Appearance: Billowy clouds of whipped cream over a thick chocolate filling

Crust: A classic flaky crust, thinnish and pale in color, bottom crust holds up without absorbing too much moisture. 

Filling: Dense chocolate mousse.

Flavor: Rich, deep chocolate— sweet and slightly bitter.

Comments: “Solid but unspectacular,” “Really rich, gives off Bakers Square vibes.”

Best for: Lovers of decadent cream fillings. 

Door County Cherry

HONEYPIE BAKESHOP | 2569 S. KINNICKINNIC AVE. 

Appearance: Plump, deep-red fruit topped with a coarse crumble.

Crust: Golden, flaky, buttery.

Filling: Juicy but not wet, thick and fruity.

Flavor: Nice balance of sweet and tart.

Comments: “Super nice tartness,” “wonderful crust,” “a fruit party – sooo yummy.”

Best for: Tart cherry and thick filling enthusiasts 

Pecan

MR. DYE’S PIES | 275 W. WISCONSIN AVE. 

Appearance: A bumpy, crusty blanket of pecans in sticky syrup.

Crust: Dry, tough.

Filling: Not set, gooey.

Flavor: Heavy on almond extract.

Comments: Filling “has good taste, but a loose consistency,” “impossible to cut.”

Best for: Believers in second chances.

Pumpkin

BLUE’S EGG & BAKERY | 317 N. 76TH ST. 

Appearance: Thick crimped edge, smooth top with lavish swirls of spice-dusted whipped cream.

Crust: Thick, fluffy layers of richness – like a denser puff pastry.

Filling: Smooth, jiggly but not gelatinous, chestnut brown. 

Flavor: Holy cloves! Strong spice notes.

Comments: Divided—”good spice,” wants “more spice!” “too much spice,” “that crust though- great texture.” 

Best for: You value a flaky, buttery foundation and assertive spices. 

Sweet Potato

MR. DYE’S PIES | 275 W. WISCONSIN AVE. 

Appearance: Flat, shiny surface without cracks, pretty orange hue.

Crust: Soft, sandy with a doughy bottom and lightly flaky rim

Filling: Solid, creamy, a little starchy.

Flavor: Not spicy, very mild. 

Comments: “Looks pretty plain but its delicious,” “tastes like sweet potato and not too sweet,” “borderline boring.” 

Best for: The “less spice/more potato flavor” crowd.