Pie is a classic American dessert that most people love to enjoy at the end of a meal. Some relate pie to autumn or Thanksgiving, but it really can be the perfect dish for any season. It's a very easy and impressive dessert and can be filled with fruit, custard, pudding or nuts. Made even easier with pre-made ingredients and shortcuts, pie is so good, there are even cocktails inspired by it.
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Pie has been around for centuries, and historians say that the Greeks were the first people to create pie dough using water and flour. In other countries, pies were mostly savory and filled with different kinds of meat. Over time, people realized that they could sweeten pie with sugar instead of being all savory. It's believed that pie became popular in Americaaround the 1800s. Whoever discovered how to make pie is someone we'll be forever indebted to, because we all know that pie is one of the best desserts out there.
The best thing about this sweet treat is that there's a pie for everyone. If you love chocolate, there are plenty of chocolate pie varieties to satisfy the sweetest tooth. There are also classic fruit pies, which taste just like summer and are best when baked with freshly picked fruit. Plus, you can go savory with it and make a spinach pie or chicken pot pie. The sky is your limit when it comes to pie! Whether you love a classic banana cream pie or you're more of a key lime fan, we picked the best of the best pie recipes to try this holiday season, both sweet and savory.
13 of the Best Pie Recipes You Need to Try
1. All-Purpose Pie Dough
A good start to a delicious pie is flaky, buttery dough. Try not to over-mix it because you do not want to end up with a tough dough. Many recipes will suggest using a food processor to make the dough.
If you do not have one, no problem! You can use a pastry cutter or even two knives. Check out this simple recipe for pie dough at Brown Eyed Baker.
Butter crust like this one is best mixed a few hours before and placed in the fridge to set.
2. Classic American Apple Pie
There's something about apple pie that is so comforting. The combination of spices, brown sugar, the sweet apples and of course, the pie dough make this a winner for any holiday from Halloween to Thanksgiving.
Try using different types of apples in your pie to see which you like best, like Granny Smith and Pink Gala. You can also add fresh cranberries for tartness. Check out this recipe at Brown Eyed Baker for an incredible double-crust pie that's so much easier to make than you think.
Add a drizzle of caramel sauce to make this a caramel apple pie!
3. Cranberry Orange Tart
Cranberries are a great way to brighten up your table this holiday season! They are a pretty tart fruit but are sweetened with sugar and orange zest.
This is the perfect pie (tart) for when you're in the mood for something less traditional during the holiday season. Cranberries and orange are classic combination and whether you use a regular pie crust or graham cracker crust, try out this recipe at My Recipes.
4. Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
This sweet pie is a great twist on a traditional pecan pie. With the additions of maple syrup and of course bourbon, this pie filling is taken to the next level. A little bourbon is always a good thing! Take a look at this cocktail inspired by pecan pie.
Why have a regular sweet potato pie when you can impress at the dessert table this year with a flaky crust and the sweet taste of bacon and pecans. Get your next favorite pie recipe at Betty homes and Gardens.
5. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is a personal favorite and even better when topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream! I sometimes add a splash of bourbon and a little cinnamon to my whipped cream for some extra flavor.
This is a delicious and simple homemade pie recipe from All Recipes.
6. Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust
This apple pie is definitely something to talk about around the kitchen table! The filling tastes like normal apple pie, but the crust is different because there is cheddar cheese included in the dough. Who would've thought that this flavor combination could actually work?
Try out this pie to impress your guests! Sure, you can have a classic cherry pie or lemon meringue pie any time of year, but there's something about a cheddar crust that just says autumn. Here is the recipe at Epicurious.
7. Free Form Peach Pie
The name pretty much says it all. This type of pie is not prepared in a pie dish with a top crust, but on a sheet pan much like a galette or slab pie. You can still use pie dough for that flaky pie crust and it is best if filled with fruit. Try out different fruits that are in season, and make a Strawberry Pie or a Blueberry Pie with this fun recipe.
This type of pie has a very natural, rustic look. Top with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and let the games begin. Here is the recipe at Serious Eats.
8. Chocolate Cream Pie
If you are a chocolate lover, then this pie is for you! Homemade chocolate pudding is made for this recipe with an added hint of espresso powder to really bring out the flavors. Try using different kinds of chocolate to see which you like best: semi-sweet, bittersweet chocolate, or milk chocolate.
You can also add slices of banana to the bottom of the baked pie crust for a Banana Chocolate Cream Pie, or frozen raspberries into the mix for a Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie. Here's the recipe at King Arthur Flour for this great blank slate! Still not enough chocolate? Try making this chocolate pie dough or adding white chocolate shavings to the top of the pie itself.
Want a break from the sweetness? Well, savory pies do exist and are a very satisfying meal. Most look stunning on your table whether it's for your valentine, an Easter crowd, or a hungry Christmas dinner crew.
9. No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Made with a graham cracker cookie crust, This np-bake pie tastes just like candy! Cool Whip and cream cheese make this filling as light as air.
Get the recipe at Finding Zest.
10. Key Lime Pie
Head to the tropics with this creamy key lime pie. Custardy and silky, garnish this key lime pie with whipped cream and lime zest.
Get the recipe at Mom On Time Out.
11. Mushroom Pie
This pie is filled with wild mushrooms and fresh herbs. The filling is surrounded by another cheese crust, this time using Parmesan. Mouthwatering!
Even if you're not a fan of mushrooms, this is a versatile recipe that can even use meat if you want something heartier. Here is the recipe at Completely Delicious.
12. Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is a perfect meal and has everything you need: vegetables, meat and pie crust. So hearty and flavorful, the great thing you can do is use leftover shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken.
The added egg wash brushed on top of the pie dough before gives you a shiny crust. Check out this recipe at The Pioneer Woman.
13. Shepherd's Pie
Shepherd's pie is another pie with all the essential foods: meat, vegetables, and herbs all tucked under a cozy mashed potato blanket. This pie is different because it has a mashed potato crust. Get crafty and turn it into a subtle lattice crust the photo above, or go classic and top with a buttermilk pie crust. Here is the recipe at Epicurious.
Do you prefer savory or sweet pies? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was originally published on September 22, 2021.
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