Trader Joes Pie Crust discontinued

[vvv03]

just wanted to report a Trader Joe's product that is going to be discontinued -- the frozen pie crusts in the dessert section. I went to buy it today to make a pie, and the TJ guy who showed me where it was told me it's being discontinued and to buy a couple if I like it. I'm not particularly loyal to it so only bought one, but if anyone out there is a big fan, time to do the Russian stockpiling trick and go buy yourself some pie crust.

[chez cherie]

it's ba-aaaaack! just spotted in the freezer case today. now in a larger box, the new version is not folded, but the box contains two rolled out crusts, separated by paper. i was fearful that they'd also changed the formula, but the ingredients seem the same (butter!), and the look of the crusts also has that same butter-flecked look that i've loved for so long. i suggest hoarding this stuff while it's in stock--which i imagine will be through the holidays. now i will wait impatiently for the return of puff pastry!

[Pirate4]

Happy to see the pie crusts are back in the frozen section at Trader Joe's, as promised, for the holidays. Sorry to disappoint the skeptical Arthur, but after all, I'm only a second-time poster now. 8-P

[gnomatic]

According to the captain at the San Jose store (2 days ago), the pie crust is back permanently. The puff pastry remains seasonal, for the last quarter, which means it will be back in October.

[jjj]

I've been calling just about every week to see if the crusts were back... today was my lucky day! I stopped by and picked up 5 of them (I LOVE them). Got home, opened it up, let it thaw for a bit, tasted it. NOT THE SAME! Not even close. It's puffier with no sweetness. Totally disappointed. I'm taking them all back.

[chez cherie]

that's too bad, jjj. i really like the new, flakier consistency--for me, the puffiness is a plus. as for the crusts having no sugar, i also see that as a positive, because they are better for savory OR sweet baking. you could always add a little sprinkle of sugar as you fit the dough into the pie dish, or use a little sugar to re-roll the dough, if you want it sweeter.
i know it can be frustrating when one of your favorite items disappears from tjs, and it's a shame that the new crust wasn't what you expected. their return policy is great, though, so you shouldn't have any trouble there. i really like the new crust, though, and will be stocking my freezer over the holidays.

[melissac]

NOT THE SAME and no good for pie! The crust is much smaller and SHRUNK even more in my 9-inch pie pan. There was no possible way to add filling with the sides of the crust all shrunk down to nothing. No lemon meringue pie for Thanksgiving... not a happy camper Trader Joes!

[francines]

I agree w/Melissa about the changed quality of dough. Not the same good quality and size as before. At least you were able to make a deep dish pie but now, not even good for a 9". Can't overlap the trim and make a nice design with the trim. I did buy several new ones and sorry I did. Very disappointing. I use to get compliments on my pies. Wish they would go back to the original version. My husband is not a happy camper either. I will not buy them anymore. Must learn to master my own until they return to the original dough. Bring it on back Trader Joe's!

[Crazy_Mary]

I agree about the crust shrinking. I used this for a pumpkin pie, and it was horrible! It was also very, very greasy. I became very frustrated by the fact that it was so small. I laid it over my 9" pyrex pis dish and it barely came up to the sides. Once I pre-baked it (using pie weights) it shrank down so much that when I filled it, I couldn't use all of my filling. I ended up with a very shallow pie. I'll never but that crust again.

[greygarious]

If you find yourself faced with a skimpy crust in the future, put it between two pans and bake it upside down - gravity will help keep it from shrinking.

[CurlieGlamourGirlie]

Oh no - I used this for a recipe they had on their website - meatball pie. I would just buy everything in that one trip and poof - perfect meatball pie. (Think a big, giant calzone)

Phooey.

I guess I just really need to learn how to make my own pie crust.

[Pirate4]

Not true--the pie crust is a seasonal product, and should be back before the holidays.

[Arthur]

I'm more than a little skeptical about this assertion from Pirate4, a first-time poster. Why would pie crust be a seasonal product? And if it is, why has it been available until now, the middle of June, long after the holiday season has ended?

[chez cherie]

it's a recent (and unfortunate) development. ask your captain or someone at the front desk to check the computer for you, and they will confirm (as they did for heart-broken) me, that it is newly a "seasonal" item...pie season apparently being holiday time.
for me, pie season is summer!
also newly deemed seasonal, their fab puff pastry. if enough people voice their consternation via phone, in person to a person in charge, or via email, this might be re-thought!

[greygarious]

Wish I'd known about the puff pastry yesterday, when I made my monthly TJ's run. I agree that this and pie crusts shouldn't be seasonal. TJ's puff pastry is magnitudes better than Pepperidge Farm. I only tried the crust once and though it's better than supermarket versions, thought it was still sub-par and way too thick. I'll stick with scratch - but have never made puff pastry, nor do I want to try (though there's a fraisage method that mimics it with less time and effort).

[tjcrew]

I work at TJ's. The pie crust IS seasonal, and the reason it was still in the freezer in June is because it is a freezer item which, much like the pumpkin butter (also seasonal), has a longer shelf life so even though the pie crust season is over, we keep it on the shelf till it sells out.

Late post, i know. Just wanted to clear up any confusion ;)

[greygarious]

Thanks for the clarification; perhaps you, as an insider, can explain to the suits that people make pies and quiches year-round. At the very least, the "season" should begin with the earliest-ripening summer fruits, not with the weeks leading up toThanksgiving.

[coney with everything]

thanks for the heads up. These are decent pie crusts.