What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than with pie? Find a new favorite among BoB’s best Thanksgiving pies!
The BEST Thanksgiving Pies
To me, Thanksgiving is a pie holiday. I just love to see a beautiful display of pie deliciousness after the big meal. Of course, I can get behind a lot of other Thanksgiving desserts, too, but let’s focus on pie for now.
I’ve gone through the archives and put together a collection of more than 40 pies, tarts, mini pies, and more pie-like desserts that are perfect for Thanksgiving.
We’ve got pecan pie, chess pie, apple pie, and plenty more great flavors like pears, cranberries, caramel, and chocolate. And if you get overloaded with pumpkin this time of year, you’ll be happy to see that this collection is 100% pumpkin free!
I hope you’ll find just the pie (or pies!) to make your Thanksgiving extra special and delicious!
How Many Pies Do I Need for Thanksgiving?
A good rule is that you need one standard pie for every four to six guests. That size pie is usually cut into 8 to 12 pieces. I tend to land somewhere in the middle with about 10 servings per pie.
Essentially, you want to provide 1 or 2 servings per person. Some guests are samplers and want a little bit of everything, while others may just want a small sliver after a Thanksgiving feast. If you host the same crowd every year, then you’re likely familiar which end of that spectrum you should aim to hit. And don’t forget the appeal of leftover pie!
Tips for Baking Pies for Thanksgiving
Each pie is different, but here are some general tips to help you make your pies their very best!
- Read the recipe thoroughly. Make sure you know exactly what you’ll need to do and how much time it will take.
- Gather your ingredients before starting. Avoid the devastation of realizing you’re short an ingredient by getting everything ready beforehand. If any prep work can be done to make the pie-making process easier, then do that, too.
- Trying a new recipe? Ideally, I recommend making a new dessert sometime before the big day so that you can feel more comfortable making it for a special occasion. There are variations in ingredients, environment, and ovens that alter the outcome of a recipe.
- Your pan matters. Metal, glass, and ceramic all conduct heat differently and will give you different results when baking a pie. For baked pies, I almost always recommend a light-colored metal pan. For more of my favorite pie tools, see my pie baking essentials at my Amazon Storefront!
- Bake in advance. If any of your pies can be stored, get ahead of the game by making them before the big day. If you’ve got a lot of baking to do, consider if any of your pies will hold up well in the freezer so you can thaw them in time for Thanksgiving. If you can’t make the entire pie ahead of time, you can always make the traditional pie dough you need and store in the refrigerator (2-3 days) or freezer (up to 3 months).
- For traditional crust pies, I have lots of helpful tips for you with my All-Butter Pie Crust.
- For cookie crusts, I’ve got that covered, too, with How to Make a Cookie Crumb Crust.
- Don’t forget the toppings! Ice cream, sweetened whipped cream, a flavored sauce, or any garnishes.
How to Store Pies
Take into consideration how your pies need to be stored before and after serving. If you have a pie that requires refrigeration, make sure you cover it as the recipe specifies. If your pie can sit at room temperature, then be sure to have the proper cover for it as well.
Custard pies, cream pies, pumpkin pie, and most any pies made with dairy products should be refrigerated. As a general rule, other pies will keep for at least a couple of days at room temperature, but see the specific recipe’s recommendations for storage.
When it’s time to clean up after your Thanksgiving meal, you may have guests who want to take some leftover pie home with them. Plan ahead to have containers that will hold a slice or two.
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!
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.
This twist on the classic skips the top crust in favor of a buttery cinnamon crumb topping.
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 to 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 pie 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!
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!
Bake or Break is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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.