{
  "id": 16615791,
  "title": "12 easy ways to make a store-bought pie taste and look homemade, according to bakers and chefs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/12-easy-ways-to-make-a-store-bought-pie-taste-and-look-homemade",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-26T14:21:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/best-ways-make-premade-pies-better-look-homemade-tips-bakers-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "1. To make a store-bought pie appear homemade, Rachel Askinasi, a chef, recommended adding an herbed caramel sauce. She suggested warming the caramel and drizzling it over the pie, combining sweet and savory flavors.\n\n2. Carlo Lamagna, a chef and owner of Magna PDX, advised sprinkling a pinch of salt on top of syrupy pies. He explained that salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.\n\n3. If your store-bought pie came in a box, remove it from its packaging to give the illusion of homemade preparation. Lourdes, co-owner of Saint Honoré Doughnuts and Beignets, recommended placing it in a new box, adorned with a ribbon or on a beautiful cake stand.\n\n4. To complement the sweetness of certain pies, Herbert suggested serving cherry or blueberry pies with a dollop of lemon curd. The tangy flavor of the lemon curd can cut through the excessive sweetness in store-bought versions.\n\n5. For an elegant presentation, Smith, a chef and sommelier, recommended topping your pie with freshly whipped cream. Using a piping bag, she advised creating a modern and classy look by garnishing the whipped cream with edible gold flakes or citrus zest.",
  "summary": "Bakers and chefs share the best tips for making store-bought pies look and taste homemade, such as upgrading premade pies with certain easy toppings.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}