So I got a nice pumpkin pie at a bakery, very fresh, probably no preservatives…and then left it on the counter for 8 hours because I am an idiot. This definitely violates food-safety recommendations. It’s in the fridge now. Would you serve it? Don’t wish to kill these particular people. Thanks for your advice.
To err on the safe side… serve something else to the crowd. Save the pie to yourself! 
I wonder if a PP can be reheated to the temps that kill bugs. Google to the rescue?
Personally, I don’t know why you couldn’t leave a pumpkin pie on the counter for that long. Everything in it was cooked. Not like there are still raw eggs. I’d imagine we’ve had leftover pies sit out longer than that.
They aren’t refrigerated at the grocery store; they are sitting out in the bakery section.
I agree. One caveat is that the pie was from a store. God knows if it came into contact in that store with something that could grow and multiply overnight. Like someone handling it with hands that touched raw eggs etc. You know, one bacteria is not going to wreck you, but a million has a chance.
The grocery-store pies have preservatives. This one is like homemade. Thanks for all your thoughts so far. I’m torn. There’s perfect safety and then there’s reasonable safety, and I’m no microbiologist.
Most store bought pies have preservatives in them so I wouldn’t use the grocery store as a barometer. With a custard filling, it should be refrigerated. Quiche is a custard, too, and you probably wouldn’t suggest leaving that unrefrigerated. That said, I’d probably say it is safe for most people unless you have immune compromised folks or elderly who might eat it then I wouldn’t want to risk it.
Does the bakery refrigerate their pies until they sell them? Could you call and ask?
You don’t want to be the one who gives everyone a stomach issue. 
:-&
Pumpkin pies taste better cold anyway. I usually bake my own, but this year I didn’t have the will/opportunity.
My mother always left them stored in the oven. No one got sick and thankfully no one turned on the oven.
I’d eat it.
I’d eat it too. With whipped cream.
When we go to Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow…we will arrive at about 2. The pies will go on the dessert buffet table…but won’t get eaten probably until after 8…when we have coffee and dessert. We do this every year…and so far…no one has gotten sick…knock on wood.
Whipped cream is done just before serving!
I’d call the store and ask. They may leave their pies out on the shelf overnight too!
I would eat it. We are very strict in this country about food safety rules, for some good reasons. However, the reality is that folks are generally fine in such circumstances. I don’t tend to chill my pumpkin pies-and there are many so we can have them for breakfast, till after about 24 hours. No issues, aside from gluttony.
Refrigerate and eat it.
Uncooked eggs like in mayo are a real concern. Cooked eggs like in a pie are not.
It’s cooked. I’d eat it. With some chantilly cream and caramel!
According to Google, you can leave it out for up to 2 hours. After that it needs to be refrigerated. Go buy another pie and save this one for yourself.
You wouldn’t leave your scrambled eggs and cream out for 8 hours and then serve to guests…it’s sort of the same thing just sweeter.
The title of this thread sounds like that old song: “Someone left the cake out in the rain”
I’d eat the pie too.
8->
Actually…we had a pot luck at work today. After the early early morning breakfast, the food was moved to the employee room…and folks continued to eat it all day…including some egg dishes.
Costco has piles of pies…none refrigerated, IIRC. I’m guessing no one is getting sick. It would be pretty bad for their business if that happened!
You guys are great! I called the bakery and they said it’s perfectly fine and that I should just make sure it’s refrigerated overnight. Such good news. Thank you for obsessing with me. A very happy Thanksgiving to all.
Eating pie is always good news! ;