How to Store Any Type of Pie So It Stays Fresh During the Holiday Season

And beyond.

We’re about ready to kick off the holiday season, which means, among other things, that there’s about to be a whole lot of pie in your life. As delicious as pie is, sometimes you just can’t finish the entire scrumptious dessert, especially if it was preceded by an elaborate, festive meal. 

That’s where this guide on how to store pie comes in. We’ll teach you the best way to preserve everything, from that final slice of pecan pie to that extra apple pie you bought that went untouched. As you may have guessed, the rules vary slightly based on the type of pie you’re storing, but we’ve broken it all down so no confection is left behind. Keep reading to find out how to store any type of pie so it stays fresh (and delicious) this holiday season.

Related: How to Store Cilantro So It Stays Flavorful

How to Store Pie

The best way to store pie depends on the type of pie you’re dealing with—fruit pies, custard pies, cream and cold-set pies, or savory pies. Since the ingredients vary among the pie types, each one has its own set of storage rules.

Fruit pies

Fruit pies, such as apple pie, peach pie, or cherry pie, are among the easiest to store. If you have leftover fruit pie and are planning on finishing it within a day or two, go ahead and store it at room temperature on your counter. For optimal freshness, the leftover pie should be kept out of direct sunlight and well covered with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or a pie dome. This will help keep bugs away and maintain freshness of the dessert. Just make sure the pie has come to room temperature before being covered, or else it runs the risk of getting soggy.

If you don’t think you can eat all of your leftover pie within two days, it’s time to clear out some space in your refrigerator. When stored covered in the refrigerator, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that a fruit pie will stay fresh for about seven days. However, we recommend eating any leftover fruit pie within about four days of putting it in the fridge for the best results. Additionally, if you plan to eat your fruit pie straight out of the fridge, we suggest letting it come to room temperature first or warming it in the oven for a few minutes before eating. That way, the filling will be tender and the crust will regain that wonderful, flakey quality.

Custard pies

Custard pies include popular pie varieties such as pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Since these pies are typically made with plenty of dairy and eggs, the USDA notes that any leftovers must be stored in the refrigerator. When kept in the fridge, these pies can typically stay fresh for four to five days. Like fruit pies, custard pies are best served at room temperature, so feel free to take the chill off of any leftovers for the best results.

And keep in mind that while you may see many pumpkin and pecan pies at the grocery store in the packaged foods section (as opposed to the refrigerated portion of the store) these baked goods often contain preservatives that makes this possible. 

Related: 15 Easy Pie Recipes Everyone Will Love

Cream pies and cold-set pies

As the name suggests, cream pies and cold-set pies such as a chiffon pie, lemon curd pie, and coconut cream pie, need to be refrigerated. This is especially true if the pie in question contains any whipped cream on top, which will spoil if it’s not kept cold. When stored in the fridge, these pies can stay fresh for about three to four days, according to the USDA.

Savory pies

Since savory pies (like shepherd’s pie or cottage pie) typically contain some type of meat, you’re going to want to store them in the refrigerator once they have cooled completely. The same goes for savory pies that don’t have meat, but are made with dairy or eggs. 

Savory pies are best eaten within four days of being put in the refrigerator, but can last for up to a week depending on the ingredients used. It’s always best to give your pie (sweet or savory) a sniff before removing it from the fridge and digging in. If you notice any foul smells or discoloration, go ahead and throw the pie out.

Can You Freeze Pie?

Some pie varieties freeze better than others, and it all depends on the ingredients used to make each dish.

• Fruit pies: Fruit pies freeze well, though it’s best to freeze a whole fruit pie instead of individual slices. Per Gold Medal Flour, the best way to freeze a fruit pie is to bake it, let it cool, and place it uncovered in the freezer. Once the pie has completely frozen, place it in a plastic freezer bag and put it back in the freezer. When frozen this way, fruit pies will keep for up to four months.

• Custard pies: While you technically can freeze a custard pie, we don’t recommend it. That’s because when custard pies are frozen and then thaw, they can get watery and the layers are prone to separating. As a result, the texture of the pie won’t be the same. That said, if you want to freeze and thaw your pumpkin pie, follow these steps for the best results.

• Cream pies: Similarly to custard pies, cream pies can be frozen but don’t hold up well after being stored in the freezer and then thawed. In other words, skip the freezer for these guys.

• Savory pies: Savory pies can freeze well, but the degree to which they survive the freezing and thawing process depends on the ingredients in the pie. For example, while a standard shepherd’s pie can typically be frozen, you’ll want to steer clear of freezing a savory pie with ingredients that don’t thaw well, such as potato pieces and tomatoes.
  

Related: Here Are Secrets to Making the Best Apple Pie

How to Reheat Pie

There are a few types of pie—namely pecan, pumpkin, and several fruit-based options—that simply take on an extra level of deliciousness when served warm, particularly once the cold weather rolls around. If you’ve refrigerated any of the aforementioned pies and want to reheat a slice before chowing down, the quickest way to do it is to pop a piece in the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds. If you’d rather reheat your pie in the oven, place the dessert on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, loosely cover it with aluminum foil, and set the oven to 350 degrees. After approximately ten minutes, your pie should be perfectly warmed through.

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple.