Pumpkin creme pies have become a popular seasonal dessert item at McDonald’s over the past few years. These pumpkin pies with creamy custard filling are offered by McDonald’s each fall around Halloween and Thanksgiving. But will the pumpkin creme pie remain on the McDonald’s menu long-term or is it just a temporary seasonal treat?
The History of the McDonald’s Pumpkin Creme Pie
McDonald’s first introduced the pumpkin creme pie on its McCafé Bakery menu in the fall of 2020. It was added as a limited-time seasonal dessert item. The pumpkin creme pie was an instant hit among customers and quickly developed a devoted following. Each fall when it returns, fans get excited about being able to enjoy this dessert for a limited time.
The McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie features a flaky, buttery crust with a pumpkin pie custard filling. The creamy filling has notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. It’s smooth, rich, and the perfect amount of sweetness. The pie is topped with whipped cream and crunchy pie crust crumbs.
Over the past three holiday seasons, McDonald’s has brought the pumpkin creme pie back on its menu in late September/early October and kept it around through the Thanksgiving season until late November/early December. It’s been available nationwide at participating locations.
Popularity and Reviews of McDonald’s Pumpkin Creme Pie
The pumpkin creme pie has received very positive reviews from both food critics and customers:
- One food reviewer called it “shockingly good for a fast food dessert.”
- Another review said it was “as good as any pumpkin pie I’ve had.”
- Customers say it has a creamy, custard-like filling that sets it apart from typical fruit pies at fast food chains.
- Many reviews say it tastes homemade and has high quality ingredients.
- Some say it’s better than Starbucks’ pumpkin cream cheese muffin or the pumpkin cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory bakery.
On social media, many customers have requested that McDonald’s make the pumpkin creme pie a permanent menu item instead of just seasonal.
Will the Pumpkin Creme Pie Stay at McDonald’s Long-Term?
McDonald’s has not officially announced any plans to make the pumpkin creme pie a permanent menu item yet. However, here are some reasons why it might stay on the McDonald’s menu long-term:
- It has been extremely popular and well-reviewed over the past three holiday seasons, signaling strong customer demand.
- It differentiates McDonald’s fall dessert menu from competitors.
- Pumpkin flavor has grown in popularity year-round, not just during the holidays.
- It brings in revenue during a slower season for McDonald’s sales between the breakfast and lunch/dinner rushes.
- Having it permanently would save McDonald’s marketing and menu changeover costs compared to a temporary promo item.
However, there are also some reasons why McDonald’s may choose to keep the pumpkin creme pie as a limited-time seasonal offering for now:
- Keeping it seasonal helps build hype and a sense of urgency among customers to get it before it’s gone.
- Rotating holiday food helps drive visits from customers wanting to try the new seasonal items.
- It may not have enough all-year appeal to sustain sales during non-holiday seasons.
- Adding it year-round would take up permanent menu space that could go to other new limited-time offers instead.
McDonald’s Comments on Future of Pumpkin Creme Pie
So far McDonald’s has remained vague about the long-term fate of the pumpkin creme pie. A McDonald’s spokesperson provided this statement about the dessert item:
“Customers look forward to enjoying our limited-time McCafé Bakery seasonal offerings and this pumpkin creme pie has been very popular. We know this festive bakery treat, combined with the tastes of the fall season, equals a beloved customer experience. However, we have no current plans to make this a permanent menu item.”
So for now, the pumpkin creme pie will remain a temporary holiday menu item that returns each fall. But its popularity could potentially lead McDonald’s to change their mind down the road.
How McDonald’s Menu Innovation Works
Adding new permanent items or removing limited-time promotions from the McDonald’s menu is not a quick or easy process. There are several key factors the company considers:
- Customer demand – McDonald’s thoroughly tests new items in select regions before deciding whether to rollout nationally. The company relies heavily on sales data, customer feedback, and social media buzz to gauge demand.
- Ingredient availability and supply chain – McDonald’s has high standards for its ingredients and suppliers. Expanding the use of any ingredient like pumpkin puree long-term requires ensuring ample supply.
- Operational impact in restaurants – New permanent menu items affect McDonald’s kitchen throughput and workflow. So they analyze the operational implications before committing.
- Marketing strategy – McDonald’s intentionally rotates limited-time offers to create an ongoing sense of novelty. Permanent items require different marketing.
- Profit margins – McDonald’s evaluates the cost of ingredients, labor, and other factors to ensure new permanent items are profitable on their dollar menu.
So while customers may request for seasonal items like the pumpkin creme pie to stick around permanently, McDonald’s will weigh many factors before making that type of menu commitment.
How to Order the McDonald’s Pumpkin Creme Pie
If you want to try the McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie this fall, follow these steps:
- Check the McDonald’s app or website to see if the pumpkin creme pie is currently available at a location near you. Availability typically runs from late September through late November.
- The pumpkin creme pie is only sold during breakfast hours. So plan to visit McDonald’s before 10:30am to order it.
- Order the pumpkin creme pie by itself or add it to any breakfast order. It makes the perfect sweet pairing with a McDonald’s hot or iced coffee.
- You can order the pumpkin creme pie at the counter, drive-thru, or on the app for pickup or delivery.
- A single pumpkin creme pie costs around $1.99 depending on location. It’s a great value compared to desserts at other chains.
The limited window to get the pie each fall means you’ll want to act fast if you want to enjoy this popular McCafé Bakery treat. Based on demand, locations can sell out quickly.
Nutrition Information for McDonald’s Pumpkin Creme Pie
Here is the nutrition information for a McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie (based on 2022 data):
| Calories | 340 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 160mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 44g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 24g |
| Protein | 3g |
As you can see, the McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie is high in calories, fat, and sugar compared to other menu items. It provides 44g of carbs and 24g of sugar. So it should be enjoyed as an occasional treat. But it remains one of the most crave-worthy seasonal desserts!
How the McDonald’s Pumpkin Creme Pie Stacks Up
Here’s how the McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie compares to similar pumpkin dessert items from other major chains:
| Dessert Item | Calories | Sugar | Fat | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s Pumpkin Creme Pie | 340 | 24g | 16g | $1.99 |
| Starbucks’ Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin | 460 | 37g | 24g | $3.65 |
| Dunkin’ Pumpkin Muffin | 420 | 34g | 18g | $2.49 |
| Starbucks’ Pumpkin Scone | 370 | 24g | 16g | $2.95 |
| The Cheesecake Factory Pumpkin Cheesecake Slice | 630 | 43g | 36g | $8.95 |
The McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie has one of the lowest calorie, sugar, and fat counts compared to other chains’ pumpkin baked goods. And it’s priced lower than competitors. The Cheesecake Factory’s version has nearly double the calories and fat for 4-5x the price. So McDonald’s version is a great value in comparison.
Creme vs. Cream in the McDonald’s Pie Name
Some customers have wondered why McDonald’s calls this dessert the “pumpkin creme” pie rather than “pumpkin cream” pie. The extra “e” in creme indicates that the filling uses a traditional custard-style base.
Custard contains egg yolks to give it a richer, creamier texture and mouthfeel compared to standard cream. The egg yolks also contribute to the pale yellow color of the pumpkin creme filling. So the name differentiation highlights the pie’s decadent custardy nature.
Alternatives If the Pumpkin Creme Pie Is Sold Out
High demand coupled with the short seasonal window can sometimes lead to the McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie selling out. If your local McDonald’s runs out of this popular dessert, here are some alternatives to consider ordering instead:
- Apple Pie – The classic McDonald’s baked apple pie is available year-round. It has a similar flaky, buttery crust with sweet apple filling.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie – Go for the soft, freshly baked chocolate chip cookie for another warm dessert option.
- Cinnamon Rolls – McDonald’s sells several creamy, gooey cinnamon roll varieties including one with pumpkin spice flavor that’s perfect for fall.
- McFlurry – The M&M’S or Oreo McFlurry ice cream treats make a cool, creamy dessert choice.
- Hot Fudge Sundae – Top soft serve ice cream with hot fudge sauce and crunchy peanuts for a classic sundae experience.
While nothing quite compares to the pumpkin creme pie for fans, these sweet bakery alternatives can still cure your McDonald’s dessert craving.
The Future of Pumpkin Flavor at McDonald’s
Looking ahead, if pumpkin remains super popular on the McDonald’s menu, they could potentially explore adding it to even more seasonal fall items in the future. Some possibilities include:
- Pumpkin flavored McCafé coffee drinks like a pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin mocha.
- Pumpkin cookies, muffins, or cheesecake brownies to expand the bakery menu.
- Pumpkin flavored McFlurry with pie pieces and cinnamon mixed in.
- Pumpkin spice flavored chicken tenders or french fries just like the pumpkin & ginger flavored menu items currently at Panda Express.
Pumpkin spice flavor already shows up in McDonald’s fall themed packaging, desserts, and advertising. Expanding it more prominently onto the permanent McCafé menu could be a logical next step. The pumpkin creme pie’s success proves customers crave pumpkin flavor long beyond just Thanksgiving.
Conclusion
The McDonald’s pumpkin creme pie has become a cult favorite seasonal treat since its debut in 2020. Fans anxiously await its return to restaurants each fall. McDonald’s hasn’t officially announced plans to make it permanent nationwide year-round yet. But the pumpkin creme pie’s popularity shows no signs of waning. Its affordable price and positive customer response mean it could eventually join the permanent McDonald’s menu. For now, be sure to get it early in the season before it sells out. And if you miss out, go for apple pie or cinnamon rolls to satisfy your McDonald’s dessert fix instead.