The Good Cook 9-Inch Ceramic Pie Plate is highly rated by Amazon customers. In our 2014 testing, it left a soggy, uncooked circle of dough at the center of the bottom of the blueberry pie we made.

The aroma grew stronger, and I squirmed with anticipation as she pulled a crisped brown paper bag out of the oven: This was my favorite part of her apple pie process, other than the eating.

As I’ve written before, I love making my own pie for the holidays. But I might just make an exception this year for Whole Foods’ new creation, boldly called “The Pie.” The hand-crimped all ...