On dessert duty? These are the Thanksgiving pies you need. Sure, there are pumpkin and apple, but we've got so many more that'll please your crew.
1/37
Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I remember coming home sullen one day because we'd lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested that maybe a slice of hot apple pie would make me feel better. She was right. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington
When making this Thanksgiving classic, make sure you’re choosing the best apples for apple pie. Go for Cortland, Granny Smith, Braeburn or Jonagold.
2/37
Pumpkin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Usually I prepare two different desserts for our holiday dinner, but one of them must be pumpkin pie—otherwise, it just wouldn't seem like Thanksgiving. My version calls for more eggs than most, making this pie's custard filling especially rich. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
This classic Thanksgiving pie uses all the spices you expect from this treat—cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and clove—to create the perfect flavor. And you can make this your best-ever pie by using our Test Kitchen’s favorite canned pumpkin.
3/37
Pecan Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Pecan pie is a Thanksgiving tradition in my house, and I was on a quest to create the ultimate version. This might be it! —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
When we say the best, we mean it. This pecan pie is full of rich flavors. It’s not just toasted pecans—it’s maple syrup and bourbon too.
4/37
Cranberry Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
New England is one of the prime apple- and cranberry-growing regions of the country. This is my all-time favorite cranberry apple pie recipe. —Betty Winberg, Nashua, New Hampshire
This pie proves that cranberry-apple is the holiday flavor combination to beat. These flavors come together beautifully in this lattice-topped pie.
5/37
Sweet Potato Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy sweet potato pie is subtly spiced and slices beautifully! We suggest baking up a few sweet potato pies around the holidays to give to friends and family. —North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
Sweet potatoes are wonderfully smooth and vibrant in color—perfect for transforming into delicious desserts. Our favorite way to use these tubers is to bake them into a classic sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving.
6/37
Buckeye Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone who eats this pie raves about it! You can cover the whole top with ganache, but leaving part of the filling bare is the traditional way to make it. —Mary Northrup, Alpine, New York
In Ohio, there’s no treat as iconic as a buckeye. For Thanksgiving, this peanut butter and chocolate candy gets transformed into a pie to share. It’s made all the more delicious with the thick layer of chocolate ganache on top.
7/37
Apple Crumb Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This apple pie with crumb topping is absolutely delicious! If you’re a beginner, use a store-bought pie crust to get a head start. You’ll still get a bushel of compliments. —Virginia Olson, West Des Moines, Iowa
I love a dessert with texture, so I always gravitate toward crumb-topped pies. It’s also a bit easier to make, too, since there’s no need to roll out a second dough and decorate it on the pie just so.
8/37
Chocolate Cream Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Our teenage son, John, has done lots of 4-H baking. This old-fashioned chocolate cream pie recipe with a flaky crust was his favorite thing to make. —Mary Anderson, De Valls Bluff, Arkansas
Yes, chocolate is a fall flavor too! This rich, creamy pie will add variety to the pumpkin and apple dessert spread. Don’t forget to decorate it with whipped cream stars.
9/37
No-Crust Pumpkin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Baked in a water bath, this pie has a texture that's more like custard than a traditional pumpkin pie. In place of canned or fresh pumpkin, I sometimes use cushaw, a type of crookneck squash. —Linda McClung, Robbinsville, North Carolina
Want to skip the fuss of making pie crust? Try this crustless pumpkin pie. Like a cheesecake, it’s baked in a water bath. The result is a creamy, custard-like dessert that tastes great with whipped cream.
10/37
Double Peanut Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe for a national pie contest and won second place for my state. Many peanuts are grown in Virginia, and I always look for ways to use local products. —Vivian Cleeton, Richmond, Virginia
While pecan pies are plentiful this time of year, we suggest shaking up your Thanksgiving dessert routine a bit. This recipe uses plenty of peanuts and peanut butter for a treat that tastes amazing on its own or served with a scoop of the best chocolate ice cream.
11/37
Peanut Butter Pudding Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This peanut butter pudding pie is pretty enough to serve to company ... if your family doesn't get to it first! No one can resist a sweet piece of this creamy chocolate and peanut butter dessert. —Valerie Sisson, Norton, Ohio
This pie is speedy to stir up. Use a packaged pudding mix as the base and a store-bought pie crust. In minutes, you’ve got a Thanksgiving Day (or any day) dessert to share.
12/37
Mince Pies
From the Recipe Creator:
Most people use canned mincemeat, but this is the old-fashioned way to make a mince pie. It's a sweet holiday treat that will satisfy you and your loved ones. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
Don’t let the name fool you! These tiny Thanksgiving pies are made with chopped apples, apricots, raisins, citrus zest, warm spices and just a little bit of meat.
13/37
Streusel Pumpkin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Basic pumpkin pie is good, but we think this dressed-up version is even better. Plenty of pecans add a nutty crunch to the crust and the streusel topping. It's a perfect dessert for Thanksgiving or any time you want to end a dinner with something special. —Bertha Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana
After years and years of the same pumpkin pie, this streusel-topped version offers a nice change without completely altering the recipe. You’ll prepare the pie just as you normally would, but a pecan-studded cinnamon and brown sugar streusel bakes on top.
14/37
Butterscotch Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This pie's filling is like creamy pudding and is crowned with golden peaks of meringue. —Cary Letsche, Brandenton, Florida
If you ask us, butterscotch is absolutely a fall flavor—and one you can enjoy in Thanksgiving pies. This dessert has a homemade butterscotch custard filling with a freshly whipped meringue on top that gets toasted to golden perfection.
15/37
Cranberry Pecan Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I first prepared this pie at Thanksgiving to share with my co-workers. It was such a success! Now I freeze cranberries while they are in season so that I can make it year-round. —Dawn Liet Hartman, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
Chopped pecans and cranberries are the base for this pie’s filling. You can use fresh or frozen berries—either works!
16/37
Spiced Upside-Down Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandma taught me to make this pie when I was 4. Over the years, I've kept it about the same with just a few changes. Flip it out the second it stops bubbling. The glaze makes it look especially delicious. —Francine Bryson, Pickens, South Carolina
We’ve all heard of upside-down cakes, but what about upside-down pie? This dessert is made in a 9-inch pie pan and then turned over after baking to reveal the pecans.
17/37
Possum Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was found in a box of recipes in the cafe we own. The recipes were used in the early 1950s by a previous owner, and this pie has been on our menu since we discovered it. —David Heilemann, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
This pie may have a funny name, but it packs some serious flavor. Possum pie is made with vanilla pudding, chocolate pudding and pecans. Who can resist that?
18/37
Sour Cream Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
A cool, creamy version of the original, this delicious dessert is the perfect finish to a satisfying meal. Its crumbly topping and smooth apple filling are crowd-pleasers! Be prepared to serve seconds. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
For this recipe, use tart apples like Granny Smith. This type of apple plays especially well with the sour cream in this pie.
19/37
Apple Crostata
From the Recipe Creator:
Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas
Don’t want to fuss with a full-blown pie this Thanksgiving? This top-rated galette recipe is for you! It has the flavors of apple pie but without the trouble of crimping pie crust. Instead, roll out your go-to crust and pile the apples in the center. Fold the crust over, and voila. You’ve got an easy and delicious Thanksgiving dessert.
20/37
Hubbard Squash Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom made this pie—never pumpkin—each Thanksgiving, and everyone looked forward to it. I have fond memories of my dad cutting up a hulking big blue Hubbard squash on the kitchen counter and cooking it in order for Mom to make the pies. A more manageable butternut squash will deliver an equally delicate-tasting pie! —Patti Ann Christian, Ararat, North Carolina
Squash is a must at Thanksgiving. This recipe takes Hubbard squash, a lesser-known winter squash, and transforms it into a Thanksgiving pie worth sharing. It has a similar flavor to butternut squash, a common substitute for canned pumpkin.
21/37
Pecan Cream Cheese Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Toasted coconut, nuts and caramel sauce top a cream cheese layer in this special pie. A friend who loves to give out recipes shared this with me, and I'm so glad she did! —Mildred Troupe, Wartrace, Tennessee
Admittedly, I’ve always found pecan pie a bit too sweet, crunchy and overall heavy, but this pecan cream cheese pie solved my aversions. The cream cheese layer offers softness and tang, and the secret ingredient (coconut flakes!) adds a tropical twist.
22/37
Maple Syrup Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Folks in New Hampshire apparently appreciate maple syrup almost as much as we do in Vermont. When my husband and I took a road trip through New Hampshire, we discovered this pie at a number of diners and restaurants. We loved it so much that we created our own version. —Laurie Herr, Westford, Vermont
Believe it or not, you need only four ingredients and a pie crust to make this Thanksgiving dessert. The filling will be loose at first, but it will firm up when it cools.
23/37
Pear Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I entered this pie in a local baking contest and ended up winning! Bartlett pears hold up well when baked, adding a nice layer of texture. —Darlene Jacobson, Waterford, Wisconsin
If you’ve made any fruit pie before, pear pie will be a cinch. Also, it’s nice to get another type of pie (sans apple or pumpkin) on the table.
24/37
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
Rich, creamy and wonderfully spiced for the holidays, this vegan pumpkin pie recipe is perfect for all your guests. —Justin Weber, Kenosha, Wisconsin
This vegan pumpkin pie is sensational. Although there’s no milk, eggs or butter, this plant-based pumpkin pie is still as creamy, autumnal and satiating as any pumpkin pie.
25/37
Buttermilk Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother and grandmother made this pie with buttermilk and eggs from our farm and shared it at church meetings and social gatherings. I did the same, and now our children make it too! —Kate Mathews, Shreveport, Louisiana
Buttermilk is the base for this slightly tangy yet sweet pie. Make sure you’re using the real deal when you make this pie—not any buttermilk substitutes.
26/37
Apple Butter Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother gave me this recipe, and I, in turn, have shared it with dozens of friends. Grandmother made it often for me when I was a child since I never liked pumpkin pie. —Marjorie Fowler, Summerfield, Florida
Why is it always so difficult to figure out what to do with a jar of apple butter? This pie solves the problem, as a 1/2 cup apple butter is the star ingredient in the creamy, custardy pie filling.
27/37
Vegan Pecan Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This vegan pecan pie has a flaky crust and an ooey-gooey, delicious filling. It's a special holiday treat. You can replace the pecan halves with additional chopped pecans if you prefer. —Echo Tillman, Freeport, Florida
Need some vegan Thanksgiving recipes for your celebration? This vegan pecan pie gives you all the great flavors of a traditional pecan pie but uses ingredients that every guest can enjoy.
28/37
Swedish Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
This decadent Swedish apple pie serves up homemade flavor in every bite. This is a perfect snack with coffee or as an after-dinner treat. —Sarah Klier, Grand Rapids, Michigan
This old-fashioned pie is easy to put together. It has no crust; instead, all the ingredients are mixed together and baked in a pie dish. Before serving, dust with a bit of confectioners’ sugar.
29/37
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
The great thing about this gluten-free pumpkin pie is that you can make it in advance. Chill the dough for the crust overnight and bake the pie the next day. Garnish with whipped cream or a dusting of cinnamon. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Got gluten-free eaters at your Thanksgiving feast? Treat them to this dessert that’ll satisfy their sweet cravings. The crust is made with a gluten-free flour blend as well as ground almonds. You can use this crust recipe for other gluten-free pies too.
30/37
Sour Cream Raisin Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
The aroma of this pie baking in my farm kitchen oven reminds me of my dear grandma, who made this pretty pie for special occasions. —Beverly Medalen, Willow City, North Dakota
Oatmeal-raisin cookies aren’t the only reason to keep raisins in your pantry. This pie makes the most of these dried fruits and tastes so tempting when topped with toasted meringue.
31/37
Chocolate Pecan Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. We can't get enough of this recipe inspired by Kentucky Derby bourbon chocolate pecan pie. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina
Bourbon, chocolate and pecans? This is a flavor trio that can’t be missed. Our recipe calls for dark chocolate chips, but feel free to use milk chocolate if you prefer that flavor.
32/37
Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for a classic autumn dessert, try this pumpkiny cheesecake pie. It’s a winner at potlucks and on the Thanksgiving table. The gingersnap crust forms a spicy-sweet foundation. —Sharon Crockett, La Palma, California
This recipe combines pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake for a delicious (and pretty easy!) Thanksgiving dessert. Once you make it, you’ll want to serve it every year.
33/37
Oatmeal Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I adapted an old cookbook's vintage oatmeal pie recipe to make this easy dessert. The oats and sugar in the filling give it the flavor and texture of pecan pie but without nuts! —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
This yummy pie has old-fashioned appeal but is so easy to prepare. Serve it with ice cream drizzled with maple syrup or even this bourbon whipped cream.
34/37
Honey Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
A hint of honey flavors this old-fashioned custard pie that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. Don't be afraid of blind-baking the crust—it's easy to do. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Splurge on the best honey at the store for a high-quality honey flavor, and steer clear of the fake honey. This recipe does require you to blind-bake the crust, which just means baking the crust on its own before adding the filling.
35/37
Gluten-Free Apple Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve done a lot of gluten-free baking over the last few years. My goal is to always create something so good that anyone will want to eat it, not just those who can’t have gluten. This amazing gluten-free pie crust is a case in point. The filling uses my “top secret” blend of apples that offers up a mix of textures and levels of sweetness; experiment to find your own combination. —Gonzuela Bastarache, Dieppe, New Brunswick
Rice flour, tapioca flour and potato starch form the base of the crust for this pie. The filling is very similar to the filling of other apple pies: apples, spices, lemon juice and a bit of cornstarch.
36/37
Sweet Potato Pie with Condensed Milk
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple but special deep-dish pie provides a down-home finish to hearty autumn meals. Pecans and pumpkin pie spices make it a comforting seasonal classic. —Paul Azzone, Shoreham, New York
This recipe calls for a cast-iron skillet, which provides a deep dish, allowing for more room for the delicious sweet potato filling. I love the pretty whipped cream decoration and chopped pecan garnish. It really makes the pie perfect for Thanksgiving!
37/37
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
From the Recipe Creator:
For a tasty treat during the fall, try this special dessert. The vanilla pudding makes it extra-creamy. —Karen Grimes, Stephens City, Virginia
Four layers of decadence make this upgraded pumpkin pie taste nothing short of luxurious. Start with a crunchy graham cracker crust, and then layer it with a sweetened cream cheese filling, pumpkin chiffon top and whipped cream garnish.
Thanksgiving Pies FAQ
What are the most popular pies for Thanksgiving?
The most popular Thanksgiving pies are pumpkin, pecan and apple. Normally, whoever is on dessert duty will also bring ice cream, whipped cream and salted caramel sauce. The spread is usually filled out with other Thanksgiving desserts, like fall cookies, a cheesecake and something more palatable for the kids, like brownies.
Are there gluten-free Thanksgiving pie recipes?
Yes, there are gluten-free Thanksgiving pie recipes. Our list includes gluten-free pumpkin and apple pies, but you can make just about any pie celiac-safe with a gluten-free pie crust. Just make sure the recipe’s filling is naturally gluten-free already, and double-check packaged ingredients for a gluten-free certification. Fill out the table with other gluten-free desserts like flourless chocolate cake, pumpkin ice cream or gluten-free apple crumble.
Can you make Thanksgiving pies ahead of time?
Yes, you can absolutely make Thanksgiving pies ahead of time. In fact, some pies are best served chilled (like pumpkin pie), so you need to make them ahead of time. To make Thanksgiving pies one or two days in advance, fully assemble and bake them, then allow them to cool completely to room temperature. Wrap them tightly with storage wrap and keep them in the fridge. If the pie is best served warm (like apple pie), unwrap the pie and rewarm it in a 350°F oven. For all the other pies, unwrap and take them out of the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before serving to take the chill off, then serve.
