Of all the great rivalries we have in this country — Democrats vs. Republicans, Yankees vs. Red Sox, Edward vs. Jacob — there is only one that will truly last the test of time: Pie vs. Cake. Epic battles have been waged between these two desserts (I counted 120 on YouTube, alone), but it appears that this holiday season, McDonald’s has bravely attempted to bridge the gap, so that we may all bask in the glow of holiday togetherness. Behold, the Holiday Pie, a 250-Calorie hybrid for those who like a little pie in their cake and a little cake in their pie.
I bought mine for 69 cents PLUS tax, which is a travesty, considering they were sold for much less last year. It appears that McDonald’s may have come upon hard times and is scraping up every last nickel to spend on magical unicorn oil or whatever it is that they use to cook those awesome fries. Case in point, the McDonald’s where I purchased my Holiday Pie had been forced to hang old coffee cups from the ceiling as their Christmas decorations. Le sigh…
The presentation of this pie is a bit off-putting. First of all, there is a guy on the box who looks like he’s frantically trying to avoid having to kiss his amorous girlfriend who has most likely just polished off a limited-time-only McRib and now has killer onion breath. Second, the Holiday Pie is a “Special Order.” It says so on the sticker that someone lovingly placed on the box. How special? It’s special enough that it has sprinkles that remind no one of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan or Boxing Day. Which holiday does this thing represent, exactly? Sugar Puff Glitter Ponies Remembrance Day? The man on the box seems to beg for answers through his twisted scowl. But there are none to be had.
A fairly sweet and crumbly “sugar cookie” crust encapsulates a nuclear yellow pudding, which tastes an awful lot like yellow cake. You’ll notice I put a space in between the words “yellow” and “cake” in order to differentiate between the tasty baked food and the uranium-derived powder used in nuclear reactors. Strange that they both produce the neon colors present in this menu item. Coincidence? Only Mr. Kissy-Face on the box may know for sure. Maybe his desperate expression is meant to be a warning.
The Holiday Pie isn’t terrible. It’s sweet without being too sugary, and it’s served warm without scalding your mouth (like their molten lava-style apple pie). On the downside, the texture of the crust is slightly silty… like fine sand. There is also a strange, chemical aftertaste that accompanies the pudding, which makes me think I’m going to go home later and suddenly develop super powers. I call dibs on X-ray vision!!!
What? I like to watch.
So, yeah, the Holiday Pie. I’m not hating it… but I’m not lovin’ it.
(Nutrition Facts – 260 calories, 120 calories from fat, 13 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of total carbohydrates, 12 grams of sugar, 3 grams of protein, and a single, solitary gram of dietary fiber)
Item: McDonald’s Holiday Pie
Price: 69 cents
Size: 1 pie (2.7 oz)
Purchased at: McDonald’s
Rating: 5 out of 10
Pros: Pie/Cake hybrid, sweet & warm, 69 cents, Glitter Ponies, Special Order, The Holidays, super powers.
Cons: Possible nuclear components, 69 cents plus tax, onion breath, inexplicable sprinkles.
I didn’t even know they offered these at McDonald’s now. The look of it is so unappealing, I wouldn’t even be tempted to order this. Way to go McDonald’s
We are now officially holding annual Sugar Puff Glitter Ponies Remembrance Day parties at my house. BYO Sugar Puff Glitter Pony (henceforth to be referred to as SPGP). We’ll have pizza.
What day does this ever-elusive holiday land on in 2011? …it’s not showing up on my US Holidays 2011 iCal.
I think these would go great with Doritos. Nuclear orange chips + nuclear yellow filling = fun times. Someone needs to make glow-in-the-dark food coloring.
As a real life nuclear engineer and amateur baker, I like the confusion between yellowcake and yellow cake. A lot.
I almost threw up at “nuclear yellow pudding”.
Great review Stephanie! Marvo has good taste – and thank you for commenting on the strange box it comes in. Since my high school job at McDonald’s I’ve always wondered what the hell they were going for with that picture.
I want this in my stomache now!!!
Is there irony to the juxtaposition of the two figures next to the “i’m lovin’ it” slogan, when he clearly doesn’t love her? Or am I overthinking it?
Great review, Stephanie!
It’s nice to find a fast food that is totally up front about being unhealthy such as this one. Of course, that includes the vast majority of the McDonald’s menu.
Is it just me, or does this seem like a glorified Hostess Pudding Pie? Two seconds of Google research seems to indicate that these no longer exist, so I guess now McDonald’s has a corner on the pudding pie market.
I never heard of McDonalds Holiday Pie until today. I must admit as we travel to see family that we should stop and try oneof these pies. Then a family member posted this review that left my husband and I enjoying and laughing. As for the pie, we will pass.
I’M SORRY BUT THIS PIE IS THE BEST I LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR . I GET SO EXCITED WHEN IT COMES BACK IN STOCK . I’M AVISITOR TO MCDONALDS OFTEN WHEN THERE IN SEASON!
I’ve looked forward to these all year. Hands down the single most delicious concoction known to man. (And 2 for a dollar at corporate stores…franchises always rob you!)
I completely agree! I dont EVER eat at McDonald’s and I go every year at Christmas time and probably gain a few lbs a year from this. It is the best sweet thing I’ve ever eaten. I live for these holiday pies!!
It does look awfully nuclear. Please let me know if you develop Hulk-like powers. Perhaps then I may try one. Otherwise… I am skeptical.
Oh yuck I hate this pie so much. I loveeee Mcdonalds and I finished everything I ordered on the menu always – but the holiday pie…..goodness it was disgusting (and I ate it fresh & hot). The yellow pudding thingy inside tasted weird…like something unholy. The crust was bland and yes you are right the texture was like sand. The whole thing tasted like bad eggs, I threw away mine and gave the other one to my dad.
This pie is a limited edition item available during Christmas. But some liked it and it’s a custard filled in the shortbread crust and some sprinkles on top of it.
You may want to ask if the stores have it or not. This is a great dessert, if you buy a cup of regular coffee or the McCafe coffee varieties. Just a great snack to try for every Christmas season.
I have had the Holiday Pie many times and I really enjoy it. No nuke suggestion, no chemical aftertaste or anything of the sort. A nice but not overly sweet dessert. The colored sprinkle are of no moment, so they could get rid of them. They neither help nor harm it.
I found this site while looking for the calorie count for the pie. I just got the two for $1 deal yesterday. I never eat at McDonalds, but these Christmas pies get to me. They have no socially redeeming value and I love them. I try to avoid getting maybe only two or three times when they are available, because of the calories.
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Take care!!