This Limited-Edition Pie From Whole Foods Is the Best Store-Bought Pie I’ve Ever Tried

The catch: It’s only available in certain locations.

As I’ve written before, I love making my own pie for the holidays. But I might just make an exception this year for Whole Foods’ new creation, boldly called “The Pie.”

The hand-crimped all-butter crust features three layers: a cranberry compote, a spiced brown butter almond frangipane, and shingled heirloom apple slices that are brushed with an apricot glaze. The filling is familiar yet undeniably distinct, and the cranberries provide a tangy burst to contrast with the rich, buttery frangipane and caramelized apples. But I was most impressed by the crust. Store-bought pie crust tends to be dense and flavorless, but this one was as buttery and flaky as any you’d find at a pastry shop or make yourself.

I tried this new dessert at Whole Foods’ headquarters in Austin, but senior vice president of culinary Jeff Turnas told me it was developed in their Florida Bakehouse. (The Bakehouse, which is where the retailer’s bread is made for nationwide distribution, also makes the layers for Whole Foods’ cakes, like the famous Berry Chantilly Cake.)

Related: Whole Foods Bakery Section Is Seriously Underrated — Here Are the 5 Items You Have to Get

“For this pie in particular, I wanted the pastry chefs on our team to start from scratch and think big,” Turnas says. “We used the prompt, ‘If you could make any pie this holiday, what would you make?’ No parameters, just have fun. We wanted to create something special yet familiar and bring a sense of artistry with a slight French flair.”

Head Bakehouse chef Frederic Monti, who has trained at the Lenôtre house in Paris and Pâtisserie Bechard in Aix-en-Provence, took the lead, creating a dessert that would be just at home in a pâtisserie window as on your Thanksgiving table.

At just shy of $60, this pie isn’t exactly inexpensive, but considering each one comes in a classically designed white ceramic pie plate that can be reused for future pies and a keepsake wooden box, it’s not such a bad deal.

“Each pie is hand-made, hand-shaped, and packaged specifically for its unique numbering on the label, making each pie special in its own way,” Turnas adds.

The pie is sold frozen; you can simply allow it to come to room temperature but for an optimal eating experience, Whole Foods suggests heating it up at 300°F for 20 to 25 minutes until the center is warm.

Related: The Best Pie in Every State

Turnas says they plan to develop a bespoke pie annually and are already working on next year’s concept. The catch: The Pie will only be sold in certain stores in the Northeast. Starting November 1, it will be available for online ordering for pickup between November 26–29 at the stores below. The Pie will also be available to purchase in these same stores while supplies last. But act fast — there are only 700 total.

If you can’t try The Pie, Turnas recommends the new brownie pecan pie developed by senior culinary program manager Sean Peras, inspired by his grandmother’s recipe, which is available at all stores. Meanwhile, here are all the Whole Foods locations where you can try The Pie:

Maine
Portland: 2 Somerset St, Portland, ME 04101

Massachusetts
Dedham: 300 Legacy Place, Dedham, MA 02026
Hingham: 94 Derby Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Lynnfield: 427 Walnut St, Lynnfield, MA 01940
Swampscott: 331 Paradise Rd, Swampscott, MA 01907
South End/Ink Block: 348 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Fresh Pond: 200 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138

New Hampshire
Bedford: 121 S River Rd, Bedford, NH 03110

New Jersey
Paramus: 300 Bergen Town Center, Paramus, NJ 07652
Closter: 45 Vervalen St, Closter, NJ 07624

New York
Brooklyn (Third & 3rd): 214 3rd St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Columbus Circle: 10 Columbus Cir, Ste Sc101, New York, NY 10019
Tribeca: 270 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007
Upper West Side: 808 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025
Port Chester: 575 Boston Post Road, Port Chester, NY 10573
Bryant Park: 1095 6th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Westbury: 867 East Gate Blvd, Garden City, NY 11530

Rhode Island
Cranston: 151 Sockanosset Cross Rd, Cranston, RI 02920