What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with pie? Find a new favorite among BoB’s best Thanksgiving pies!
The BEST Thanksgiving Pies
When I think of Thanksgiving, my mind instantly goes to pies. There’s something incredibly satisfying about ending the Thanksgiving feast with a stunning array of pies. While there are numerous desserts that scream Thanksgiving, today, let’s zero in on the star of the show – pies!
Diving into my archives, I’ve compiled an irresistible collection of over 40 pies, tarts, mini pies, and more, each with a unique twist that makes them ideal for your Thanksgiving table.
Expect classic flavors like pecan, chess, and apple, but also get ready to be tempted by less traditional but equally tantalizing options featuring pears, cranberries, caramel, and chocolate. And for those feeling a bit pumpkin-ed out, you’ll be thrilled to know this collection is a pumpkin-free zone!
Whether you’re looking for that one perfect pie or a range to impress, these recipes are sure to make your Thanksgiving not just special, but memorably delicious!
How Many Pies Do I Need for Thanksgiving?
The pie question of the hour: how many do you need? A standard pie typically serves 8 to 12, so I usually plan for about 10 slices per pie. A good rule of thumb: aim for 1 to 2 servings per guest. This accounts for the samplers who love a bit of everything and those who prefer just a modest slice post-feast. And if you’re hosting the same group as previous years, you probably have a good sense of their pie preferences – not to mention, leftover pie is never a bad thing!
Expert Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Pies
Every pie is a unique baking adventure, but here are some universal tips to ensure pie perfection:
- Recipe Review: Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the recipe to avoid any surprises.
- Ingredient Check: Gather everything beforehand. This step is crucial to avoid last-minute ingredient shortages.
- Trial Run: If you’re trying a new recipe, give it a test bake well before Thanksgiving. This helps iron out any kinks specific to your kitchen environment and equipment.
- Choose the Right Pan: The type of pan you use (metal, glass, ceramic) significantly affects the outcome. My go-to is usually a light-colored metal pan. For more pie baking essentials, check out my recommendations on my Amazon Storefront!
- Advance Baking: Prepare as much as you can in advance. Many pies store well, and even if you can’t make the whole pie ahead, pre-making and storing your dough can be a real time-saver.
For more detailed advice, especially on traditional and cookie crusts, have a look at my guides on All-Butter Pie Crust and How to Make a Cookie Crumb Crust.
Serving Ideas
Don’t forget the final flourish – toppings! There are plenty of simple things you can do to make your pies as beautiful as they are delicious.
- Ice Cream: When in doubt, a scoop of ice cream is the perfect addition to most any pie. Go with classic vanilla ice cream, or try something different with butter pecan or dulce de leche varieties.
- Whipped cream: I love a little dollop of sweetened whipped cream on a slice of pie. For something a little fancier, pipe whipped cream on the top of pies in decorative patterns. You could use a star tip for a classic look or get creative with different shapes.
- Powdered Sugar: For pies with a flat top (like chess or chocolate pies), a light dusting of powdered sugar can add a sweet, elegant finish. Use stencils for patterns for a fun look.
- Sauces: For pies with simpler tops, a drizzle of caramel, chocolate, or fruit sauce can add both flavor and visual appeal. You could use a spoon for a more rustic look or a squeeze bottle for precision.
- Themed Pie Crust Cutters: For double-crust pies, use Thanksgiving-themed pie crust cutters for the top crust. Shapes like autumn leaves, acorns, or pumpkins can add a festive touch.
How to Get the Perfect Slice
Cutting a pie perfectly can be a bit of a challenge, but with the right techniques, you can ensure neat, appetizing slices. When you cut your Thanksgiving pies with confidence, each slice looks as good as it tastes!
- Use a Sharp, Thin Knife: A sharp, thin-bladed knife works best for cutting pies. It makes clean cuts without dragging the filling.
- Dip the Knife in Hot Water: Before cutting, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it dry. This helps the knife glide through the pie more smoothly, especially for pies with a denser filling.
- Make the First Cut a Large Piece: The first slice is always the trickiest to remove. Cut a larger-than-normal piece for the first slice to make it easier to lift out of the pie dish.
- Use a Pie Server: After cutting, use a pie server (a triangular-shaped spatula) to carefully lift out the slices. This tool provides better support to the pie slice than a regular knife or spatula.
- Clean the Knife Between Cuts: Wipe your knife clean between cuts. This prevents the filling from building up on the knife, ensuring cleaner slices.
- Cutting Guides: For a large pie, you can gently score the top to create a guide for even slices. This is especially helpful if you’re serving many guests and want uniform pieces.
- Let the Pie Cool: Make sure the pie has cooled down enough before cutting. A pie that’s too hot can fall apart or have a runny filling. (I’m looking at you, pecan pie!) The ideal cooling time varies depending on the type of pie.
- Consider the Pie Type: Different pies may require different techniques. For example, very flaky crusts might need a serrated knife, while creamy pies like cheesecakes might need a knife dipped in hot water for each cut.
- Practice Patience: Don’t rush the cutting process. Take your time to make deliberate, thoughtful cuts for the best presentation.
Storing Your Thanksgiving Pies
How you store your pies is as important as how you make them. Pies requiring refrigeration, like those made with dairy, need to be covered as per the recipe. Others can be stored at room temperature with appropriate covering. Check each recipe for specific storage instructions. And for guests who wish to take a slice home, have some containers ready for easy packing.
Bake or Break’s Favorite Thanksgiving Pies
I hope these Thanksgiving pie recipes will inspire you to get baking this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!
Best Thanksgiving Pies
These are Bake or Break's very best pies for Thanksgiving. WIth pecan, chess, apple, and more, I think you'll find the perfect pie to end your holiday meal!
Pecan Pies
Let's kick things off with one of my all-time favorite kinds of pie. Most of my family Thanksgivings have featured at least one pecan pie, and I am always happy to indulge. I've got quite a few variations here on BoB, from simple versions to mini size to bar form.
This classic version is the one that's been made in my family for many years. It's wonderfully easy to make and always results in a perfectly gooey, sweet pie.
These bite-size versions of classic pecan pie have been a holiday baking staple for me for years. This recipe makes a big batch that's perfect for serving a crowd!
Perhaps the best way to improve classic pecan pie? Add chocolate! The addition of dark chocolate adds a fudgy, decadent twist while still maintaining the gooey sweetness of the original.
A splash of Irish cream is the perfect complement to all those pecans and the sweet filling. Unlike most pecan pies, this one is made without corn syrup.
This pie varies from the traditional simply by adding brown butter, but that little change adds such rich, nutty flavor!
This beautiful, tall pie is just the thing for those of us who can't get enough of that gooey pecan pie filling!
For something a bit different, try baking your pecan pie in bar form. The filling of these bars skips the corn syrup and features a little white chocolate. The taste is different yet familiar at the same time!
This pecan pie is jam-packed with flavor with the addition of chocolate chips and coconut!
These little handheld pies are adorably delicious! The filling strays from the traditional by simplifying and losing the corn syrup.
These pecan pie bars have long been a favorite here on BoB. With a chocolate shortbread crust, plenty of pecans, chocolate, and coconut, there's no shortage of flavor here!
Two great desserts combine into one glorious, decadent treat in this Pecan Cheesecake Pie. It's surprisingly easy to make, too! Just layer the components and bake!
Apple Pies
You've got to have apple pie, right? These recipes feature fall's favorite fruit in myriad ways.
Of course, we start with the classic! This beauty is an ode to simplicity, with the flavor focus solely on tender, spiced apples. Use a double crust for this pie for plenty of flaky, buttery crust.
If you want pie but feel intimidated by making a decorative crust, go with this apple galette! Its rustic look means it's easy to make, but it's also part of its charm!
This twist on the classic skips the top crust in favor of a buttery cinnamon crumb topping. And you still get plenty of apples and warm, cozy spices!
These individual apple pies are simple to make and so eye-catching, too. Top them with caramel sauce for a gooey, indulgent treat.
Chilled pies aren't usually the first thing that comes to mind for Thanksgiving, but one bite of this cool, creamy pie and you'll change your way of thinking. Such great fall flavors!
These little apple pies are a great no-stress option for serving dessert. Skip the slicing and serving, and let everyone grab their own little pie!
Add some tart cranberries to your usual apple pie for this amazingly delicious pie. The flavorful filling and the crumb topping are a winning combination!
These adorable little pies are easy to make and somehow seem rustic and elegant at the same time.
Other Fruit Pies
There's so much more to fruit pies than just apples! Try one of these fruity pies for something a bit off the traditional Thanksgiving pie path.
For an easy desert that looks elegant and impressive, you can't beat this pear tart.
The sweetness of pears and the tartness of cranberries pair perfectly in this simple, cozy pie.
This crowd-sized pie features a couple of late summer fruits that work well for Thanksgiving, too. If you can get your hands on cherries and plums, make this pie. You'll be so glad you did!
If you're short on time but still wanting a lovely dessert, try this pear tart that's made with frozen puff pastry. You'll be amazed how good it is for so little effort!
This beautiful pie is perhaps the most popular Thanksgiving recipe on BoB. It's part pie, part cheesecake, and entirely delicious!
Chess Pies
You can't beat the simplicity of chess pies. They're pretty versatile, too, so it's not surprising to see more than a few versions here on BoB.
This is the classic Southern chess pie that my grandmother made for pretty much every special occasion. It's wonderfully easy to make with a handful of ingredients, and the flavor is amazing!
This chocolate version of chess pie is so fudgy and rich. Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream is a must!
Browning the butter for the chess pie filling adds another layer of flavor for a simple twist on the classic.
Adding coconut to chess pie filling is a fantastic idea. Putting that filling in a chocolate pie crust is an even better idea.
My fellow peanut butter lovers are likely to adopt this version as their favorite chess pie. It's everything you love about the classic pie with a punch of peanut butter flavor!
You don't need to fret over making homemade caramel to get that fantastic flavor. Plenty of brown sugar adds irresistible caramel flavor to this pretty tart.
Chocolate Pies
Chocolate is a great choice for any occasion, right? Satisfy the chocolate fans among your guests with these amazing pies.
This tall, dark, delicious pie is a chocolate lover's dream! As good as it is, it's even better that it's amazingly easy to make!
This chilled chocolate tart is smooth, creamy, and subtly sweet. Serve this one for an elegant ending to your big meal.
A rich ganache combines with crunchy pecans inside a chocolate crust for an easy, beautiful, make-ahead dessert.
These individual pies are all about the chocolate, from the crust to the filling.
This beauty features layer upon layer of decadence and deliciousness!
This flavorful, fudgy pie is just the kind of pie that you'll want after a home-cooked meal. It's got that home-y feel about it that's so comforting and irresistible!
I'll be honest with you. I would happily and enthusiastically welcome this French Silk Pie to my table for any holiday. It's so amazingly creamy, chocolate-y, and delicious!
An amazingly easy chocolate mousse fills a vanilla wafer crust for a simple yet elegant dessert. Top with glazed nuts to dress it up with a little crunch.
Here's another chilled pie option for those of you who need to get your desserts in order in advance. It's made with a cookie crust, a simple ganache, hazelnuts, and plenty of whipped cream.
Other Pies
Maybe you want something a little less traditional on your Thanksgiving dessert table this year. In that case, give one of these favorite pies a try!
If you're feeding a crowd, a slab pie is a great option. And this one is jam-packed with chocolate chips. It's what happens when pie meets chocolate chip cookies!
These tiny tarts are made with a cookie-like crust and a 2-ingredient caramel filling. It's fun to add different toppings for a fun dessert display!
If the idea of a rich, gooey slice of comfort appeals to you, then you're going to love this pie. It may look unassuming sitting in the pie plate, but your guests will be clamoring for a slice when they see that chocolate surprise inside!
This pie is similar to chess pie but with a slightly different filling and with a coconut twist. I wouldn't begin to try to count the times I've had this for a holiday meal over the years!
Homemade butterscotch pudding is one of the very best things in the dessert world. And here it's added to a chocolate chip cookie crust and topped with whipped cream. Comfort food at its best!
This easy pie celebrates the flavors of Italian cream cake. One bite and you'll put this one on your holiday must-make list!
This simple pie features vanilla pudding with a praline surprise inside. It's another great make-ahead pie that's served chilled.
What happens when you take traditional pecan pie and add all the nuts? This Mixed Nut Tart!
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20 Comments on “Best Thanksgiving Pies”
They ALL look delicious!
Hey, I just picked up a few more pie tins at the restaurant supply, now I have a reason to use them.
omg I’m drooling
I could never turn down a slice of gorgeous pie!! Wow!
I’d love them all for out Thanksgiving!
What a great roundup of thanksgiving pies.
Your Thanksgiving looks like it’s going to be a delicious one! Forget the turkey – can we have an all-dessert Thanksgiving feast?
Works for me! 🙂
I am so excited. Bring on the pie!!
One of each please! Yummmm.
Wow. I love having a pie bar at Thanksgiving because I agree with you, it seems to be the perfect dessert for the holiday. I don’t know how I’d be able to choose just one (or two) from yours though. I have to admit, I did go back and look at the deep dish pecan pie more than once. 🙂
Yuuummm – I’ll take a slice of each — please 😉
Oh I totally agree that Thanksgiving is a pie holiday. All of these look amazing… especially that Mississippi Mud Pie – WOW!
As a Chef I’m always on the lookout for new things and creating new recipes. I love your creativity and look forward to receiving emails of your recipes. I will try them all and share with friends and family to get feedback. I’m always looking for inspiration and I think that your recipes will help keep my creative juices flowing. I’m currently writing my second cookbook and I’m anxious to get it done before the holidays. Thank you so much for sharing your yummy recipes. I’ll be happy to share some of mine if you wish. Keep that oven preheated, you never know when inspiration will strike. Michelle Culton
Seriously drool-worthy! I soooo want to make them all – but alas don’t have the time, plus we’d all be big as a house if we did. I will have to pick my favorites and work my way through them one week at a time!
Sorry – mistyped that. Should have said “we’d all be big as a house if I did” – meaning everyone in my house – not all those who visit this site – LOL! Happy baking everyone!
Enjoy! 🙂Â
Ohh every pie looks amaizing!!! I dont know wich one I prefer !! All!!
Are your pie crust recipes only for a bottom crust. I would need to double for a two crust pie?
All look delicious. I will definitely make some.
Yes, a double recipe will work for a double crust pie.