A blue ribbon for the best apple pie in Pennsylvania gets handed out at the state Farm Show. That tells you how seriously folks here take a slice of fruit baked in a crust.
I love that the competition reaches far beyond a single contest. Some bakeries here sell apple pie by the slice next to hot dogs.
Others tuck apples into hand pies, streusel tops, and caramel versions made to order.
The spread surprised me in the best way. Orchard markets, Amish country bake shops, a European-style cafe, and a pie shop that pairs every slice with specialty coffee all made my list.
Several of them grow or sell apples right on the property.
So I went looking for the bakeries worth a real drive. Some are in busy downtowns, and some sit on quiet farm roads.
Which crust is calling your name first?
1. Lancaster Pie & Coffee
Pie and coffee get equal billing on the sign, which feels like a promise worth keeping. This Lancaster shop bakes handmade sweet and savory pies and pours specialty coffee to match.
Apple pie sits right at the center of the lineup. The crust is flaky and lightly sweet, the kind that brings Grandma’s kitchen to mind.
You’ll also spot pumpkin, sour cherry, lemon cream, and chocolate peanut butter pies. Chocolate silk pie shows up too, along with quiche and hand pies for a savory side.
Not in a pie mood? Liege waffles and espresso round out the menu for a sweet breakfast stop.
Timing matters here, so plan ahead. The shop closes Monday through Wednesday and opens Thursday through Sunday.
Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons tend to get busy. Thursday and Friday mornings are calmer if you want an easy visit.
You can dine in, grab takeout, or pick up an order in the store. The space is LGBTQ+ friendly and has a gender-neutral restroom.
Downtown parking means paid street spots or a paid garage nearby. A slice of apple pie and a good latte make that small fee feel like a bargain.
Address: 136 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603
2. Village Farmer and Bakery
Over 30 pie flavors baked daily is a bold claim for a small village shop. Apple shows up in several forms, including classic, crumb, walnut, French, and a no sugar version.
The signature star is a 10-inch deep-dish apple pie made from scratch. It’s baked with fruit and pure cane sugar, without chemical preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.
Here’s a fun bonus. You can watch pies being made right on the premises, so you see the work before you taste it.
This family-owned business has been running since 1976. That’s a lot of crust under the bridge in Delaware Water Gap.
Hungry for more than dessert? The menu includes pot pies, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, and even a lobster roll.
A farmers market section sells local fruits and vegetables. Jams, local hot sauces, donuts, and ice cream also share the shelves.
Weekends get lively, especially Saturday and Sunday afternoons. A weekday morning works best if you’d like a calmer browse.
The shop sits near the famous Delaware Water Gap area, so it pairs well with a scenic drive. Grab a whole pie for later and one slice for the road.
Address: 13 Broad St, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327
3. Art’s Bakery
Lady locks, buckeyes, and pepperoni balls share counter space at this Erie favorite. In the middle of that delicious mix sits a Dutch apple pie worth the trip up north.
Art’s is a long-standing bakery and deli on the west side of town. It bakes cookies, cakes, breads, and pies, then sells deli meats and cheeses too.
The Dutch apple pie stands out with its crumb topping. Some pies disappear before anyone remembers to snap a photo, and this one has that reputation.
Pie fans have other options worth a look. Lemon meringue, peanut butter pie, and elderberry pie all make appearances.
Cake truffles and peanut butter buckeyes make easy add-ons for the car ride home. You might want to buy extras, just in case.
Keep in mind that this is a grab-and-go spot. There’s no dine-in seating and no public restroom.
Curbside pickup, delivery, and in-store pickup are all available. A free parking lot makes quick stops simple.
Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest stretch. Weekday mornings are calmer, and the doors open at 7 AM daily.
Address: 4380 W Ridge Rd, Erie, PA 16506
4. Tabora Farm & Orchard
Apples go from tree to pie tin without much of a commute in Chalfont. Tabora Farm & Orchard grows apples, and you can pick your own when the season is right.
The bakery inside turns that fruit into some serious desserts. Apple crumb pie is a known favorite, and handmade apple-raspberry pie adds a fruity twist.
Apple cider donuts are another big draw. You’ll also find cinnamon apple-walnut cake, cookies, pastries, scones, and soft pretzels.
Lunch is covered too. The deli counter offers a large selection of sandwiches, and gourmet quiche makes an easy savory pick.
The country store sits in an old barn, which adds plenty of farm charm. Outdoor seating and a play area for kids make it easy to linger.
Planning a gift? Gift baskets are available, and a whole pie is always a crowd-pleaser.
Hours run 7 AM to 7 PM every day, which helps with early or late cravings. Saturday mornings and afternoons are the busiest times here.
Bucks County has plenty of farm stops, but few pair pie with fresh-picked apples this neatly. Bring a bag for apples and a box for dessert.
Address: 1104 Upper Stump Rd, Chalfont, PA 18914
5. Pappy’s Orchard & Lisa’s Kitchen
Cheddar cheese baked into apple pie sounds like a dare, yet it’s a real special-order option here. The rest of the pie menu is just as tempting.
Pappy’s is a third-generation, family-owned orchard that has grown fruit for over 60 years. The farm grows over 70 kinds of fruit, including plenty of apples.
Many of the fruit desserts use apples from their own trees. Apple caramel pie earns big love, and the classic apple pie has fans of its own.
Pies are made to order, so calling ahead is smart for holidays. Fresh bakery items and other homemade foods fill out the selection.
Pennsylvania Dutch treats are part of the fun. Look for shoofly pie and funny cake, a regional favorite worth trying once.
The family has pressed fresh apple cider from homegrown apples for over 40 years. Ready-to-heat meals make dinner easy after a long day.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The shop is closed on Sundays, so plan weekend trips for Saturday.
Coopersburg sits in the Lehigh Valley, a pleasant drive for apple lovers. Pick one pie for now and order another for later.
Address: 2576 Cassel Rd, Coopersburg, PA 18036
6. The Pie Place
When a bakery names itself after pie, it had better deliver. This family-run Pittsburgh shop backs up the name with scratch-made pies and no trans fats.
Apple pie leads the way, but it has company. Apple tarts and apple strudel give you more ways to enjoy the same fruit.
Mini pies are a smart choice if you can’t pick just one. Grab a few flavors and hold your own taste test at home.
The crusts get special praise for being flaky and well made. Warm up a mini pie or tart in the oven for the best results.
Cakes, cookies, and assorted pastries fill the cases too. Coffee is available if you need a sip with your slice.
Need a pie brought to you? Delivery is an option, along with takeout at the shop.
The bakery opens Monday through Saturday and closes on Sundays. Saturday hours end a bit earlier, at 5 PM.
Free parking makes stopping in easy, whether you use the lot or the street. South Hills residents have a handy pie stop right nearby.
Address: 1775 N Highland Rd #1219, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
7. Signature Desserts
Wedding cakes might grab the spotlight here, but a deep dish apple pie sneaks onto plenty of order lists. Signature Desserts is a modest-looking bakery with a big dessert range.
Special-occasion cakes are a major focus. The Fun Fetty cake and carrot cake have fans, and cheesecakes add more options.
Pies hold their own on the menu. The deep dish apple pie is a popular pick, and coconut cream pie also earns attention.
Other treats include cookies, brownies, and a peach blueberry upside down cake. That last one sounds like summer in cake form.
This is a carry-out bakery with no dine-in seating. Plan to enjoy your pie at home, at a party, or maybe in the parked car.
Some orders require an appointment, especially for celebration cakes. Call ahead if you need something big or custom.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Monday has shorter hours, and Sunday is closed.
Thursday mornings and Saturdays get busy. A free parking lot helps with quick pickups along Library Road.
Address: 3360 Library Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15234
8. Sunnyside Pastries
Out on a country road in Lancaster County, a small bakery opens at 6 AM for donut lovers. Sunnyside Pastries also keeps a wide variety of pies ready for the taking.
Apple crumb pie is the headliner for apple fans. It’s a favorite worth putting at the top of your list.
Apple dumplings are another must-try. They’re a classic Pennsylvania Dutch treat, and this bakery makes them a specialty.
The homemade lineup has Mennonite and Amish roots. Whoopie pies, donuts, cheesecakes, honey, and jams all fill the shelves.
This is a takeout bakery, so there’s no place to sit inside. A free parking lot makes it easy to pull in and shop.
Hours run Tuesday through Friday from 6 AM to 6 PM. Saturday closes at 4 PM, and the shop stays shut Sundays and Mondays.
Saturday mornings are the busiest time. Weekday evenings tend to be calmer for a relaxed stop.
The rural setting near East Earl makes it a pleasant detour on a farm country drive. Pick up a pie and a few dumplings for a sweet Pennsylvania treat.
Address: 421 Weaverland Valley Rd, East Earl, PA 17519
9. Twilight Acres Creamery & Bakery
Ice cream and apple pie under one roof sounds like a dessert lover’s dream. Twilight Acres Creamery & Bakery makes that pairing easy along Route 422.
This country shop serves many ice cream flavors alongside homemade baked goods. Single-serving pies are perfect when you want a treat without a whole tin.
Apple pie earns praise here, and so do the homemade donuts. Sticky buns, breads, cupcakes, and whoopie pies keep the case interesting.
Oatmeal cream pies are a fun find too. They’re a nostalgic snack that fits right in at a farm creamery.
The shop sells dairy staples as well. Milk, eggs, yogurt smoothies, and frozen ready-made meals help stock your fridge.
Seating is available if you want to enjoy dessert on site. It’s a casual, quiet spot that works for kids, groups, or solo visits.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. The creamery closes on Sundays and Mondays.
Womelsdorf sits in Berks County, so this stop pairs nicely with a country drive. Try apple pie with a scoop on the side and call it lunch.
Address: 4110 Conrad Weiser Pkwy, Womelsdorf, PA 19567
10. Maple Leaf Bakery and Farm Stand
Between Ephrata and Schoeneck, a family farm doubles as a bakery and a produce stand. Maple Leaf Bakery and Farm Stand bakes from scratch right on the farm.
Homemade pies are the main reason to stop. Apple pie is a seasonal favorite that shoppers look forward to each year.
Cakes and sweet bread also earn plenty of attention. Freshly baked bread and pastries fill out the bakery side.
The farm stand adds even more reasons to visit. Local, in-season fruits and vegetables share space with raw milk, eggs, and cheese.
That means one stop can cover dessert and dinner ingredients. Grab a pie, some veggies, and a dozen eggs together.
The shop focuses on takeout, and there’s no restroom. A free parking lot makes quick visits simple.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Saturday closes at 4 PM, and Sunday is closed.
Saturday mornings and afternoons draw the biggest crowds. Weekdays are generally calmer if you want first pick of the pies.
Lancaster County farm bakeries have a special charm. This one delivers that small-farm feel with fresh food on every shelf.
Address: 640 Schoeneck Rd, Ephrata, PA 17522
11. Locally Made Food Shop
Free samples are a great way to start any bakery visit. Staff here hand out tastes of baked goods made on-site, which makes choosing a little easier.
The apple streusel pie is the one to remember. Its crumbly topping and apple filling make it a standout on the pie shelf.
Don’t leave without a pie, even if other goodies catch your eye. That’s the main lesson for any first visit.
The shop calls itself a baked-good emporium, and the shelves prove it. Homemade jams, jellies, sauces, and oils share space with fudge.
Artistic pretzels add a fun twist to the lineup. They’re the kind of snack that’s almost too nice to eat.
The store feels clean and polished, with a high-end look. It’s a good place for local gifts and treats.
Hours run daily, with later closings on Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday mornings and afternoons tend to be busiest.
Free parking and restrooms make it an easy Route 30 stop in Lancaster County. Grab a pie and a jar of jam for later.
Address: 2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572
12. Gettysburg Baking Co.
History buffs fill Lincoln Square, but pastry fans have their own reason to visit. Gettysburg Baking Co. serves scratch-made breads and European-style breakfast pastries.
Apple shows up in handheld form here. Apple walnut hand pies are a highlight, and apple tarts are popular too.
A hand pie is perfect for walking around town. You get flaky crust and apple filling without needing a fork.
Chocolate croissants and pecan sticky buns tempt from the case. Morning rolls are another favorite worth trying early in the day.
The fresh bread is a big draw as well. Pair a loaf with good coffee for a simple, satisfying breakfast.
You can dine in at this small shop or take treats to go. A restroom is available for customers.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 3 PM. The bakery closes Sundays and Mondays, so plan your trip around that.
Paid street parking surrounds the square. It’s a sweet way to wrap up a Pennsylvania pie road trip, one buttery hand pie at a time.
Address: 17 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA 17325
