We Ranked 10 Connecticut Apple Pies And Here’s Who Made The Cut

Apple pie inspires stronger opinions than such a friendly dessert probably deserves. Crust thickness matters.

Filling texture matters. Even the apple variety can start an argument at the table.

So, naturally, we decided to compare favorites.

Bakeries across Connecticut have their own ideas about what makes an apple pie worth returning for, which made narrowing the field especially delicious.

We looked for pies that delivered where it counted rather than simply relying on a famous name. Some impressed immediately, while others grew on us somewhere between the first forkful and the suspiciously empty plate.

Ranking them was the dangerous part.

How do you choose between two pies when you would happily eat another slice of either one?

Eventually, somebody had to make the cut. The final lineup includes the apple pies that gave us the strongest reasons to remember them long after the crumbs were gone.

1. Lyman Orchards Apple Barrel Farm Market, Middlefield

Go big or go home. That seems to be the philosophy behind a pie packed with more than two pounds of freshly peeled apples.

The result rises into an impressive mound beneath a flaky crust, giving the Hi-Top Apple Pie its unmistakable shape. Better yet, it comes from a generations-old family recipe and is still handcrafted one pie at a time.

That old-school approach has earned plenty of attention. Connecticut Magazine famously described Lyman Orchards’ apple pie as the kind that comes to mind when people simply think of apple pie.

Prefer something with a little extra crunch? Apple Crumb Pie offers another tempting way to get an apple fix.

The bakery counter goes well beyond pies. Fresh batches of apple cider donuts, muffins, cookies, breads, and other sweets come out regularly, while the market also stocks locally sourced groceries.

The Apple Barrel Farm Market keeps the experience going year-round. Its home at 32 Reeds Gap Rd in Middlefield makes it an easy stop even when orchard activities have wrapped up for the season.

When the calendar cooperates, pick-your-own fruit and seasonal mazes add another reason to linger.

Save a little room afterward. The on-site creamery can turn an orchard afternoon into a much sweeter finish.

2. Oronoque Farms Gift & Bakery, Shelton

Crumb lovers, pay attention. This longtime pie tradition began back in 1949, when homemade pies were sold from a small roadside stand.

Decades later, the family recipes are still at the heart of Oronoque Farms, which reopened in Shelton in 1993 before new owners took over in 2004.

Apple is the star here. Connecticut Magazine has recognized both the Apple Pie and Apple Crumb Pie, giving shoppers two tempting versions of the classic.

The crumb option piles on a sweet topping, while the traditional apple keeps things simple beneath its crust. Both are available as 9-inch pies, a convenient size for sharing around the table.

Save room in the freezer, too. Pies can be purchased frozen and unbaked, making it easy to bring one home and enjoy that fresh-from-the-oven smell later.

Then comes the fun part. Oronoque Farms makes its own ice cream, so adding a cold scoop to a warm slice feels like the obvious move.

The farm shop at 188 Leavenworth Rd in Shelton adds even more browsing to the trip.

Apple cider donuts, cookies, and other baked treats give the display cases plenty of temptation.

Seasonal choices can change, so each visit may bring something different beside those famous apple favorites.

3. Granny’s Pie Factory, East Hartford

Pick a pie. Easier said than done when the menu stretches to dozens of flavors.

Granny’s Pie Factory has been part of East Hartford since 2006, building on a family baking history that started long before the shop opened.

Apple fans get plenty to debate. The traditional Apple Pie keeps things familiar, while Dutch Apple adds a crumb topping for extra sweetness and texture.

Other combinations mix apple with raspberry, cranberry, or peach, giving the classic filling a fruitier twist. Most fruit pies come in a generous 10-inch size, with smaller options available for select varieties.

So what gives the apple filling its balance? Instead of relying on just one variety, the bakery uses different apples to create both sweet and tart notes.

Depending on availability, that can include familiar favorites such as McIntosh, Granny Smith, Gala, and Honeycrisp.

Pies can be picked up ready to enjoy, while frozen options make it easy to keep dessert waiting at home. Unbaked pie shells are available, too, if you would rather handle the filling yourself.

Granny’s Pie Factory operates at 103 School St in East Hartford, where the choices become especially tempting around the holidays.

That season gets seriously busy, so planning ahead can save some stress.

With so much apple variety, choosing just one might be the hardest part.

4. Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery, Guilford

Since 1871, the same family has been growing fruit in Guilford. That is more than 150 years of apple know-how, and it shows up in the pies baked in the farm market kitchen.

The market at 1355 Boston Post Rd is open year-round, which means you do not have to wait for fall to grab a pie. Its bakery and kitchen make scratch-made treats using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Along with pies, you can pick up fresh breads, quiches, cookies, and apple cider donuts, which are sold all year long.

Bishop’s Orchards cares for 313 acres of state farmland, with seasonal pick-your-own crops including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, apples, pears, and pumpkins. Autumn brings a Fall Festival with a Mega Slide, bounce pads, pedal carts, and Tire Mountain.

Kids also love visiting the llamas, alpacas, and goats.

Hours can shift, but the market has recently been open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Check before you go during holidays.

For a sweet finish, Bishop’s Creamery serves cool treats that pair nicely with a slice of pie on a sunny afternoon.

5. Michele’s Pies, Norwalk

Fifty-one first-place ribbons. That is how many awards this Norwalk bakery has earned at the American Pie Council’s National Championships, and the number tells you a lot about how seriously pie is taken here.

The shop first opened in 2007, and its bakers still follow traditional methods. Every pie is made from scratch with fresh seasonal ingredients, and the dough is prepared daily.

The result is a crust that turns out crisp and flaky instead of soggy. Walk through the door at 666 Main Ave and you will likely notice the smell of butter, sugar, and warm spice right away.

Apple fans have choices. The Apple Crumb pie keeps things classic, while the Apple Raspberry Crumb adds a bright, tangy twist.

The menu usually lists around 25 to 30 kinds of pie, from fruit and nut to cream, plus savory options like Chicken Pot Pie for dinner.

Planning a party or a family meal? Ordering ahead is a smart move, especially near Thanksgiving, when pie shops everywhere get very busy.

While you wait, look over the brownies, cookies, and tea breads. The space feels small and homey, so it works best for grabbing a pie to take with you rather than lingering for a long visit.

6. Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard, Shelton

Northern Spy apples are the star here, and the bakers use only that variety in their apple pies. Northern Spy is a firm, tart apple that holds its shape when baked, so every slice stays juicy without turning mushy.

This orchard has been farmed since 1849 and has more than 13,000 apple trees. Pies are baked fresh on site every day and packed full of fruit.

You can choose a traditional double crust or a crumb top, and there are also apple-cranberry and no-sugar apple options. Want to bake it later?

Frozen pies are sold too, so your kitchen can fill with that fresh-baked smell whenever you like.

Timing matters with this stop. Beardsley’s runs on a seasonal schedule, usually opening in late August or September and staying open until just before Christmas Eve.

Confirm dates before driving over.

A visit to 278 Leavenworth Rd offers more than dessert. You can watch apples being pressed into pure cider, which is a fun lesson for curious kids.

On fall weekends, pick-your-own apples are often available. The bakery case also holds cider donuts, gluten-free cookies, fruit breads, scones, and coffee cakes.

Since Oronoque Farms is on the same road, pie fans can easily visit both in one trip.

7. Silverman’s Farm, Easton

Some pie stops are all about the pie. Silverman’s Farm is more of a full day out, with a treat waiting at the end.

The farm got its start in the early 1920s and first became known for its cider mill. Today that vintage mill is on display for visitors to see, and the sweet apple cider is still sold in the market, though it is now pressed off-site.

Inside the Country Market, you will find sweet treats and baked goods alongside fruits, vegetables, dairy, jams, jellies, and condiments. Pie selections can change, so ask the staff what is freshly baked that day.

Fall is the busiest and brightest time to visit. The pick-your-own orchard stretches across the hillside, and a pumpkin patch adds orange to the view.

Tractor rides give tired legs a break, and the animal farm lets kids meet barnyard animals and birds up close.

Head to 451 Sport Hill Rd, which is also Route 59, to start your visit. The Country Market typically opens seven days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM, running from spring through December 31.

Weekends in October can get crowded, so arriving early in the day makes parking and picking much easier.

8. Rogers Orchards – Shuttle Meadow Farm Store, Southington

Talk about staying power. This family farm traces its roots all the way back to 1809, and more than two centuries later, apples are still a huge part of the story.

Now in its eighth generation, Rogers Orchards grows numerous apple varieties across its farmland, giving the bakery plenty of homegrown inspiration.

Pie deserves serious attention here. The bakery makes 10-inch fruit pies with generous fillings and flaky golden crusts, while several flavors also come in smaller 6-inch versions.

Apple is naturally among the choices, making the compact size especially tempting when a full pie feels like too much.

Save room for the other baked goodies. Apple cider donuts are made fresh daily using the orchard’s own cider, while warm apple dumplings bring even more fall flavor.

Coffee cakes, cookies, and scones also fill out the bakery selection.

The Shuttle Meadow Farm store at 336 Long Bottom Rd in Southington is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., making a bakery run easy to work into the week.

Come fall, the experience can continue outside. Pick-your-own apples typically runs from September through October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, weather permitting.

No reservation is required, but visitors must purchase the farm’s picking bags before heading into the orchard.

9. Belltown Hill Orchards, South Glastonbury

Rolling hills, rows of fruit trees, and a patio with a view make this South Glastonbury farm a lovely place to enjoy dessert outdoors.

Belltown Hill Orchards has been in the same family since 1910, and it is now in its fourth generation. It ranks among the oldest and largest farms in Glastonbury.

The bakery inside the market is often busy turning out fruit-filled pies, pastries, and apple cider donuts. Because the farm grows its own apples, peaches, plums, pears, berries, and cherries, the pie fillings follow the rhythm of the harvest.

Here is a fun plan. Pick up a pie, then grab a seat on the patio and take in the countryside before heading home.

If you need more goodies, a section called Grandma’s Pantry stocks jams, jellies, baking mixes, and other specialty items.

Families can also pick their own cherries, blueberries, apples, and peaches during their seasons. On weekends, tractor-drawn rides carry visitors out to the fields, which saves little legs from a long walk.

The market sits at 483 Matson Hill Rd, and since picking seasons change with the weather, checking what is ripe before you leave is always a good idea.

10. Lost Acres Orchard, North Granby

Deep dish fans, dig in. Handmade pies are a big deal at this family orchard, where the kitchen has been turning out scratch-made treats since opening in 1998.

Apple lovers have good reason to linger over the bakery case. Fresh pies join pastries, cookies, breads, and other tempting choices, while the kitchen also prepares soups, quiche, and dinners that can head home for later.

Come hungry and stay for lunch. Breakfast is served on the porch from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

The farm’s North Granby setting adds a peaceful country feel without turning the outing into an all-day expedition.

Lost Acres Orchard welcomes visitors at 130 Lost Acres Rd, with standard bakery hours running Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fall still brings plenty of apple excitement, but 2026 looks different. The farm is picking the fruit itself this season because some older trees have weakened limbs, with apples sold in quarter-peck and half-peck bags instead.

That leaves more time for the best decision of the day: which pie deserves the ride home.