A McCafé pie is a type of sweet or savory filled pastry sold at McDonald’s McCafé locations. McCafé is McDonald’s branded selection of espresso drinks, baked goods, and other products marketed to compete with coffeehouses like Starbucks. The McCafé pie menu features both sweet and savory options made with quality ingredients.
Types of McCafé Pies
McCafé offers several delicious pie varieties:
Sweet Pies
Some of the most popular sweet McCafé pie flavors include:
- Apple – A classic apple pie with sliced apples and spices baked in a flaky pie crust.
- Cherry – Sweet cherry filling in a flaky pie crust.
- Blueberry – Bursting with plump, juicy blueberries in a pie crust.
- Strawberry Cheesecake – A graham cracker crust filled with sweet strawberry and creamy cheesecake.
- Chocolate Silk – Dark chocolate and silk pie fillings in a chocolate graham cracker crust.
Savory Pies
Savory McCafé pies provide a flaky, crusty vessel for tasty fillings like:
- Chicken Pot Pie – Chicken, vegetables, and creamy sauce baked in a pie crust.
- Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef, vegetables, and mashed potatoes.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch – Chicken, bacon, vegetables, and ranch in a pie crust.
- Broccoli Cheddar – Broccoli florets and cheddar cheese baked in a pie crust.
Nutrition Information
McCafé pies provide a tasty portable meal or snack, but how do they fit into your daily nutrition needs? Here is the nutrition information for some of the most popular McCafé pies:
| Pie | Calories | Total Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Pie | 330 | 16g | 43g | 3g |
| Cherry Pie | 340 | 15g | 46g | 3g |
| Chicken Pot Pie | 320 | 18g | 26g | 12g |
| Shepherd’s Pie | 340 | 14g | 36g | 12g |
As you can see, while McCafé pies can be high in calories, fat, and carbs, they also provide protein and make for a tasty occasional treat. The nutrition values can help you make informed choices to fit the pies into your overall eating plan.
Ingredients
McCafé pies are made with quality ingredients like real apples, cherries, blueberries, chicken, and savory fillings. Here are some of the main ingredients that go into McDonald’s pies:
- Flaky pie crust – The pie crust is made with all-butter flaky pastry dough.
- Fruit fillings – Sweet pies contain real fruit like apples, cherries, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Creamy fillings – Cheese, chocolate, and classic cream pies have rich, creamy fillings.
- Meats – Savory pies contain chicken, beef, or bacon.
- Vegetables – Onions, carrots, peas, broccoli, and potatoes are used in savory pies.
- Herbs and spices – Pies are seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and more.
No artificial flavors or colors are used in McCafé pies. The fillings and crust are prepared fresh in each restaurant daily.
Portion Size
A McCafé pie is designed to be one single-serve portion. The pies are available in the following sizes:
- Regular size – 4.5 oz pie
- Snack size – 2.5 oz mini pie
The snack size is about half the size of the regular pie, perfect for a lighter meal or to pair with coffee. The regular size makes a filling individual meal or snack.
Prices
McCafé pie prices can vary slightly by location, but average prices are:
- Regular pie: $1.99 – $2.49
- Snack pie: $1.49 – $1.99
Seasonal or limited-edition pie flavors may cost slightly more. Prices remain competitive compared to other quick-service pie options.
How Are McCafé Pies Made?
McCafé pies are made fresh in each McDonald’s location daily. Here is an overview of how the pies go from raw ingredients to baked treats:
Pie Dough Preparation
- Flour, butter, water, and salt are combined and mixed to form the dough.
- The dough is rolled out flat and thin.
- Circles are cut from the dough for pie crusts.
- The dough circles are pressed into pie pans.
Fillings
- Sweet fillings are prepared by combining fruit, sugar, spices, thickeners, and other ingredients.
- Savory fillings are made by cooking meats and vegetables.
- The fillings are scooped into the prepared pie crusts.
Baking
- The filled pies are baked until the crust is golden brown.
- Baking takes 30-60 minutes depending on the pie size and filling.
- Pies are cooled before serving.
Finishing Touches
- Sweet pies may be brushed with egg wash or sprinkled with sugar before serving.
- Savory pies may be topped with cheese, herbs, or sauce.
The pies are then packaged and served fresh daily at optimal texture and flavor.
Taste and Texture
The taste and texture of a McCafé pie includes:
- A golden, flaky, buttery pie crust.
- Sweet fruit fillings with bright flavor and natural sweetness.
- Savory fillings with tender chicken, meat, or vegetables.
- Rich, creamy fillings in cheese, chocolate, or classic cream pies.
- A perfectly portable hand-held meal or snack.
McCafé pies have a home-baked taste and texture with quality ingredients in a convenient grab-and-go package.
McCafé Pie Popularity
McCafé pies have become popular menu items for several reasons:
- They provide a quick, portable meal or snack on-the-go.
- Pie flavors rotate seasonally, giving customers variety.
- They satisfy cravings for comfort foods like chicken pot pie or apple pie.
- Quality ingredients and reasonable prices make them a good value.
- Customization with snack size or milkshake pie options is available.
For a fast, affordable meal, or sweet treat, McCafé pies are a convenient choice with delicious flavors.
McCafé vs Bakery Pies
How do McCafé pies compare to pies from a bakery or local pie shop? Here are some key differences:
- Convenience – McCafé pies are available quickly at over 14,000 McDonald’s locations in the US.
- Price – McCafé pies are typically cheaper than bakery pie prices.
- Ingredients – Bakeries may use higher quality or local ingredients.
- Freshness – Bakery pies are likely baked fresh daily on-site vs commissary baking for McCafé.
- Variety – McCafé provides diverse sweet and savory pie options.
- Portion size – Bakeries typically offer larger pie sizes or whole pies.
The choice comes down to individual preferences around convenience, budget, and cravings!
Pairing McCafé Pies
McCafé pies pair deliciously with other McDonald’s menu items:
Beverage Pairings
- Sweet pies + McCafé coffee, shakes, or soda
- Savory pies + soft drink, juice, or water
Side Pairings
- Fruit pies + Baked Apple Pie Sundae
- Pot pie + Side salad
- Shepherd’s pie + Fries
Pairing a McCafé pie with a beverage or side makes for a complete and satisfying meal or snack.
Tips for Enjoying McCafé Pies
Here are some tips for getting the most enjoyment from your McCafé pie experience:
- Try new flavors seasonally as they rotate through.
- Customize with milkshake pie or snack pie for variety.
- Heat savory pies for a hot, fresh-from-the-oven taste.
- Top pies with ice cream, whipped cream, or fudge for a sweet treat.
- Pair your pie with complementary menu items or a McCafé drink.
- Download the app for great deals on pies and other baked goods.
With an open mind and a willingness to try new flavors, McCafé pies offer a satisfying portable meal or snack!
Conclusion
McCafé pies provide delicious flavor in a convenient quick-service package. The pies are made fresh with quality ingredients, come in sweet and savory varieties, and are highly customizable. While not a daily dietary staple, the pies make for an affordable and crave-worthy treat with the right pairing. Trying McCafé pies is a tasty way to break up your regular meal routine!