Cherry pie, an iconic American dessert, is a labor of love for many home bakers. The process of creating the perfect cherry pie filling can be daunting, from pitting the cherries to achieving the right balance of sweetness and texture. It's no wonder that store-bought options seem increasingly appealing. However, not all store-bought cherry pie fillings are created equal, and some can be a real letdown.
In a recent taste test, we explored the world of canned cherry pie fillings, ranking eight brands to find the best and worst options. While some brands impressed with their flavorful, juicy fruit, one stood out for all the wrong reasons: Duncan Hines' Simply Wilderness cherry pie filling.
You might be familiar with Duncan Hines as a trusted name in cake mixes, but their foray into pie fillings leaves much to be desired. Our reviewer described the Simply Wilderness filling as cloyingly sweet, with an unappealing ratio of gel to fruit. The lack of artificial flavors, which the can boasts about, seems to have resulted in a less-than-desirable taste experience.
But it's not just our reviewer who feels this way. Online reviews for this product are filled with complaints. Customers have expressed their disappointment with the brown, unappetizing color of the cherries, with one reviewer humorously commenting that they'd be serving brown cherries on their cheesecake at the office Christmas party. Another customer described the contents of the can as "brown/grey and totally unappealing," highlighting how important visual appeal is when it comes to food.
While some reviewers did mention that the filling tasted good and the cherries were fresh, many others pointed out issues with the value and quality of the product. One commenter even suggested that the cherry pie filling from the dollar store was a better option.
So, if you're considering a store-bought cherry pie filling, it's best to leave Duncan Hines' Simply Wilderness on the shelf. There are other brands out there that offer a more enjoyable and satisfying experience, ensuring your cherry pie dreams don't turn into a soggy, mushy reality.
