Social media erupted when Kraft unveiled Apple Pie-flavored Mac & Cheese for Thanksgiving. Comments ranged from “diabolical” to “straight to jail”—reactions so visceral as if the company had declared war on comfort food itself.
Sweet Meets Savory in Polarizing Launch
Limited-edition flavor blends cinnamon and tart green apple with classic cheese sauce.
The $1.48 box, available exclusively online through Walmart, promises a “sweet and savory” experience that marries creamy cheese with cinnamon and tart green apple notes. Kraft partnered with actor Jason Biggs—the “ultimate pie guy”—to promote what communications director Cheryl Barbee calls a flavor that’s both “familiar and adventurous.”
The campaign banks on Thanksgiving nostalgia while courting controversy with every viral reaction.
Tradition Meets Innovation (and Outrage)
Historical context reveals cheese-topped apple pie isn’t actually new—just newly packaged.
Before dismissing this as corporate madness, consider the history. Topping apple pie with sharp cheddar has deep roots in New England kitchens and parts of the Midwest.
The combination isn’t revolutionary—it’s repackaged tradition in a box that requires no baking skills. Yet social media users aren’t buying the historical angle, with reactions suggesting Kraft has committed culinary heresy rather than honored American food customs.
Key Product Details:
- Limited-time availability while supplies last through fall 2025
- Exclusively sold online via Walmart for $1.48 per 7.25 oz box
- Flavor profile combines traditional mac & cheese base with apple pie spices
- Marketing emphasizes both Thanksgiving nostalgia and adventurous eating
The Viral Divide Reveals Food Culture Tensions
Public reactions expose deeper conflicts between innovation and culinary tradition.
The launch functions as accidental social experiment, revealing how Americans relate to their comfort foods. Some consumers express curiosity about the potential viral appeal, while others question whether this represents genuine innovation or cynical attention-grabbing.
The sharply divided response suggests Kraft has tapped into broader anxieties about tradition versus novelty in a culture where holiday foods carry emotional weight that extends far beyond flavor. This controversy illuminates how food brands navigate the thin line between honoring nostalgia and exploiting it—especially when the stakes involve sacred holiday traditions.
