McDonald's added pumpkin spice to one of its most popular treats

While most parts of the U.S. are still experiencing very warm weather, the most obvious sign of fall has in the last decade been the appearance of pumpkin spice at every corner — there is the new Pumpkin Spice Frosty at Wendy's  (WEN) - Get Free Report, a menu full of pumpkin spice at Dunkin' and everything from pumpkin air purifiers to pumpkin spice ramen noodles at smaller retailers.

And, of course, there is  the Starbucks  (SBUX) - Get Free Report Pumpkin Spice Latte that started it all back in 2003.

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While the fast-food giant is not as keen to adjust its menu based on seasonal trends, McDonald's  (MCD) - Get Free Report did jump aboard the pumpkin train back in 2011 with its first handheld pie filled with the fruit. The recipe has changed somewhat over the years and, more recently, taken on the form of the Pumpkin And Creme Pie — a turnover-style handheld pie filled with sweetened pumpkin puree and vanilla cream.

Pumpkin creme pie makes a return (but only in some locations)

Around during the autumn season in 2021 and 2022, the Pumpkin and Creme Pie has also been spotted at some McDonald's locations in 2023. Fans in California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Alabama among other states reported seeing it at their home McDonald's at the price of $1.39 for a single pie and $1.99 for a pair of two.

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It is also now officially on the McDonald's website although availability varies from location to location. The sweet treat has always been a beloved but also controversial item on the chain's menu — some eagerly await for its return every year while criticisms lobbied in its direction have ranged from "too pumpkinny" to "does not taste like pumpkin at all."

Compared to most of its competitors, McDonald's is generally much more cautious about changing up its menu. 

Handheld pies have graced Golden Arches menus since 1968 and have come in dozens of flavors over the years — apple is the classic while some of the more original ones include Guava and Cheese and the Holiday Pie with vanilla custard and rainbow sprinkles.

Larger push for nostalgia has been in the cards for McDonald's

McDonald's has, in general, been leaning heavily into nostalgia for its business model going forward. In October 2022, it launched its "Adult Happy Meals" with 1970s and 1980s-era character figurines like the Hamburglar and Grimace. A viral campaign featuring the beloved purple mascot sent same-day store sales up nearly 12% between April and June 2023 while chief executive Chris Kempczinski also hinted at a new restaurant concept inspired by past McDonaldland character CosMc in a recent earnings call.

The nostalgic element has proven to be hugely popular, translating in both sales and a positive online response. Any focus on pies also inevitably carries a nostalgic element given many generations' love for and associations with them.

While the chain also switched from deep-frying to baking its pies in 1992 to appeal to changing attitudes around health, some long-time fans still remember the taste of original and appeal for its return through petitions. Today, Hawaii is one of the few places in the country that offers consumers fried-style pies.