Creating a memorable Thanksgiving feast is not just about the main course, but also about the delightful desserts that follow. As we all know, an essential component of any successful Thanksgiving buffet is a selection of pies that cater to both sweet and savory tastes. Pies are incredibly versatile, allowing them to seamlessly fit into both the main course and dessert sections of your menu.
When it comes to Thanksgiving pies, there’s no shortage of options, with numerous types and fillings to choose from. Today, we’ll be focusing on a few standout pie recipes that are sure to impress your guests during this festive season.
Blueberry Cheesecake Pie
Taking center stage is a mouth-watering dessert pie that combines the sweetness of blueberry sauce with the richness of a creamy cheese topping. The base of the pie consists of vanilla wafers, which provide a delightful crunch and complement the cream cheese filling perfectly. If you prefer to use store-bought blueberry sauce, it’s readily available in most shops. Alternatively, you can follow the recipe’s instructions for making your own blueberry sauce using fresh blueberries.
To add an extra touch of elegance, a dollop of whipped cream on top completes this pie, making it an ideal autumnal dessert option.
Rum Raisin Oatmeal Pie
Looking at the combination of rum and raisins, it’s no wonder they work so well together in this decadent pie. The recipe takes advantage of convenience by using a store-bought pie crust, although making your own from scratch is definitely an option for those who are skilled in the art of pastry-making. When cooked to perfection, the raisins become plump and infused with a delightful blend of rum, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creating a truly exceptional flavor experience.
Sweet Potato Pie
Little do people know that sweet potato is not just limited to savory dishes. Its versatility allows it to shine in both sweet and savory recipes. In fact, the name itself suggests a natural inclination towards sweetness. To prepare the topping for this sweet treat, you can opt for canned sweet potatoes, or use purées, or simply cook two fresh sweet potatoes and mash them with a fork.
The ingredients are then mixed together with eggs, butter, cinnamon, and sugar to create a delectably sweet topping that’s sure to impress. If you find yourself without pumpkin for your traditional Thanksgiving pie, this sweet potato alternative is an excellent substitute.
Lemon Meringue Pie
Fruit lovers will adore this classic pie that strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet, making it an ideal dessert to follow a traditional Thanksgiving feast. For those who prefer to go the extra mile, a link to a recipe for homemade pie crust is provided, allowing you to create your own crust from scratch rather than relying on store-bought alternatives. To prepare the filling, you’ll need to juice 2-3 lemons, which will yield the necessary amount of liquid.
Additionally, cornstarch should be on hand to help thicken the mixture. Furthermore, having an electric whisk is highly recommended for creating the meringue topping, as attempting to do so with a manual whisk may lead to fatigue and frustration.
Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Looking beyond the classic pumpkin pie options, there’s a world of possibilities to explore for Thanksgiving dinner. For those seeking something new, this chocolate pumpkin pie is a game-changer with its silky creamy texture and deep, rich chocolaty flavor. The combination of warming spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger perfectly complements the dark chocolate, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.
To take it to the next level, you can even make your own chocolate pie crust using graham crackers and high-quality bittersweet chocolate.
Bourbon Bacon Pecan Pie
Gathering inspiration from traditional thanksgiving desserts, this recipe for pecan pie takes an unconventional approach by incorporating smoky and savory elements that elevate the classic flavor profile. The chopped pecans are mixed with crispy bacon, creating a delightful harmony of textures and flavors in every bite.
Meanwhile, the infusion of bourbon into the filling serves to balance the sweetness of the pecans with the bold, meaty taste of the bacon, resulting in a truly unique culinary experience.
Mile High Fudge Brownie Pie
Generally speaking, any chocolate lover’s dream dessert is a rich and decadent chocolate pie. This recipe delivers exactly that, with separate instructions for making both a chocolate pie crust and chocolate-infused whipped cream. The key to this indulgent treat lies in its filling, which consists of a generous layer of brownie. When you add the drizzle of hot fudge sauce on top, it’s essentially the icing on the cake – or rather, the icing on the pie.
Whether you’re planning to serve it at a dinner party or simply want to satisfy your own sweet tooth, this chocolate extravaganza is sure to impress and delight both family and friends alike.
Turkey Pot Pie
Elevating the traditional Thanksgiving menu, we’ve included a savory turkey pot pie that’s perfect for serving at your holiday gathering. This delectable dish is packed with an assortment of delicious vegetables and tender meat, making it an excellent option for the main course. Since the filling is composed of cooked shredded turkey, this pie can be an ideal way to repurpose any leftover Thanksgiving fare.
The addition of frozen mixed vegetables adds a convenient touch, but feel free to substitute them with finely chopped fresh vegetables if you prefer.
Turkey & Stuffing Pie
We’ve got another fantastic savory pie that’s perfect for utilizing leftover ingredients from your Thanksgiving feast. Whether you have some extra turkey or stuffing lying around, this luxurious dish is a must-try. The clever part? The crust is made entirely from the very same stuffing you’re trying to use up! Just imagine how convenient it is to incorporate it into the pie in such a creative way.
Of course, feel free to customize the filling with your favorite accompaniments for the turkey – our recipe suggests using mushrooms, peas, and onions, but really, the possibilities are endless.
Roasted Mushroom Pot Pie
Many people enjoy the combination of mushrooms with other ingredients, especially when they’re cooked into a savory pie. In this recipe, the mushrooms are slowly roasted to bring out their full flavor and then mixed with carrots, onions, and garlic for a rich and satisfying vegetable filling. The mixture is then topped with a creamy sauce made from milk, vegetable broth, and cream cheese, creating a delicious and hearty dish.
This recipe is not only suitable for vegetarians but can also be easily adapted to be vegan if needed.
Triple Berry Pie
Diving into the world of autumnal desserts once again, we have a scrumptious pie that showcases a trio of berries in perfect harmony. The combination of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries is sweetened lightly with sugar and infused with the warmth of cinnamon to bring out their natural flavors. This delightful mixture not only adds depth to the dish but also creates a festive atmosphere, making it an ideal treat for the fall season.
Moreover, this recipe offers the option to make your own pie crust from scratch, with clear instructions provided. Alternatively, you can simply utilize the pie crust portion of this recipe as a versatile base for any other pies on our list.
Braided Lattice Apple Pie
Looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s almost too beautiful to eat? Then this pie recipe is the perfect choice. Like something straight out of a movie, it has a classic apple pie appearance, but with an added touch of elegance thanks to its intricate lattice top.
To achieve this stunning design, you’ll need to pick up some puff pastry or extra pie crusts for cutting into strips – don’t worry if it takes a little practice to get the braiding just right, the end result is well worth the effort. Once you’ve mastered the art of creating this beautiful lattice pattern, your pie will be the star of any gathering, and everyone will be asking for the recipe.
Pumpkin Fudge Pie
Taking center stage at Thanksgiving dinner is sure to be this delightful pumpkin pie with its unexpected twist. The genius behind this dessert lies in its layered filling, where one layer boasts a rich and creamy purée of pumpkin blended with warm spices such as ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. In contrast, the bottom layer is a decadent homemade fudge infused with deep, velvety chocolate that pairs exquisitely with the pumpkin flavors.
When served alongside a generous dollop of whipped cream, this show-stopping pie becomes an unforgettable treat for the festive season.
Honey Pie
Sometimes life gives us an abundance of honey and we’re left wondering what to do with it all. For those who find themselves in this situation, the following recipe may offer a sweet solution. The filling for this pie is crafted from a harmonious blend of honey, butter, eggs, and grated nutmeg, resulting in a smooth and delicious purée that’s particularly well-suited for autumnal dishes.
Additionally, the recipe includes instructions on how to make your own crust from scratch, but keep in mind that you’ll need a solid fat like lard to achieve the right consistency.
Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Pie
Gathering inspiration from various recipes, pecan pies offer endless possibilities with their versatile fillings. Generously incorporating chopped pecans and tart cranberries into this sweet variation creates an intriguing combination. To elevate the flavor profile further, crushed chocolate pieces are added to the mix, resulting in a rich and decadent filling.
Fortunately, the ingredients required for this recipe are straightforward, making it a quick and convenient option even on a tight schedule.
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Understanding that Thanksgiving gatherings can be quite extensive, miniature pumpkin pies are an ideal dessert for sharing with a large crowd. Utilizing store-bought pumpkin purée and pie crusts makes the process incredibly quick and straightforward, allowing you to devote more time to perfecting your main course. By simplifying the recipe in this manner, you can focus on enjoying the occasion without unnecessary stress or complexity.
Of course, if you have a bit of extra time on your hands, whipping up homemade pumpkin purée and pie crusts from scratch is also a viable option.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Unlocking the versatility of cheesecakes, this indulgent pecan pie cheesecake is a prime example of creativity in the kitchen. By combining the richness of a crust made from crumbled vanilla wafers with a pecan filling, and topping it off with a layer of cream cheese followed by caramelized pecans, this dessert achieves an unparalleled depth of flavor.
While its robust taste makes it almost self-sufficient, you can still elevate it to new heights with a dollop of whipped cream if the mood strikes.
Apple Cheddar Pie
Diving into the world of unexpected flavor combinations, it’s surprising to see how well apple and cheddar pair together. The sharpness of the cheddar cheese complements the natural sweetness of the apples perfectly, making this recipe a delightful twist on traditional flavors. As you bite into the crispy crust infused with cheddar, the cheesy goodness is balanced by the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice mixed in with the tender apples.
This unique flavor combination makes for a dish that’s both delightfully cheesy and festive at the same time.
Coconut Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
Just like any other gourmet dessert, this luxurious pumpkin pie requires some special ingredients and techniques to achieve its unique texture and flavor. To start, you’ll need to add a layer of grated coconut on top, which will not only add visual appeal but also a subtle tropical twist to the classic pumpkin pie. You may need to pick up gelatin for this recipe, as it’s essential for helping the pumpkin purée set properly.
If gelatin is hard to find in your area, you can substitute it with agar agar seaweed, which serves the same purpose.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd’s Pie
You’re probably familiar with the common problem of having leftover food after thanksgiving. The good news is that you can repurpose these leftovers to create something truly special. This delicious shepherd’s pie is an excellent example, as it uses only the ingredients you’d typically find at a Thanksgiving table.
Specifically, it combines mashed potatoes mixed with gravy (check out ‘The 5 Most Suitable Substitutes For Au Jus Gravy Mix’ for some great alternatives), mixed vegetables, stuffing, and shredded turkey to create a dish that’s both elegant and full of flavor, capturing the essence of the holiday in every bite.
Apple Butter Pie
Understanding that sometimes you crave a dessert with the same comforting texture as pumpkin pie, but with a twist of flavor, is where this recipe comes in. It cleverly uses apple butter instead of applesauce to achieve a silky smooth texture that’s bursting with the rich flavors of autumn. Typically, it’s essential to buy high-quality apple butter that’s thick and spreadable, as this will give you the right consistency for your pie.
If you prefer to make your own apple butter, don’t worry – you can do so by slow-cooking apples in a large quantity until they reach the perfect jam-like consistency. With either store-bought or homemade apple butter, you’ll be all set to create a deliciously autumnal dessert that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Pear & Almond Tart
Zest for something new and exciting can be found in this delectable pear tart, which showcases the often-overlooked beauty of pears when it comes to crafting show-stopping desserts. While apple pie is always a crowd-pleaser, pears bring an equally delightful flavor profile to the table, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of sweet treats.
This particular tart stands out with its visually appealing arrangement of pear slices, creating a stunning presentation that’s almost too pretty to eat – but not quite. The addition of blanched almonds to the crust adds a wholesome and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the pears. To round off this delightful combination, a light drizzle of lemon juice is added, introducing a lovely citrus note that ties the entire dessert together in perfect harmony.
Chocolate Pie
If you have any chocoholics in your family, then they will surely adore this simple yet delectable chocolate pie that’s easy to prepare. Rather than spending hours in the kitchen, you can use a store-bought pie crust and top it with a rich bittersweet chocolate mixture thickened with cornstarch for an indulgent treat. While cooking time is minimal, the topping needs some patience as it requires a few hours in the fridge to set properly – ideally up to four hours.
Therefore, if you’re planning to make this pie for Thanksgiving, consider starting it the day before to ensure everything is ready on time.
Caramelized Pear And Chocolate Pie
Certainly one of the most delightful chocolate pies out there, this particular recipe adds a fruity twist with its caramelized pear layer on top of a store-bought crust, finished off with a rich and decadent chocolate ganache. Despite the complex-sounding combination of flavors and textures, this dessert is surprisingly easy to prepare and won’t require much time or effort.
In fact, one of the best things about this recipe is its simplicity – it’s quick to put together and requires minimal ingredients. For the best results, we recommend letting the pie chill in the fridge for up to two hours, although we think allowing it to sit overnight will really allow all the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Caramel Cream Pie
Making sweet-tooths rejoice, this indulgent pie is a dream come true. With its rich Dulce de Leche caramel from Peru and creamy cheese filling, it’s the ultimate treat for those with a penchant for all things sweet. The recipe provides detailed instructions on creating your own crust, offering you flexibility when it comes to choosing toppings, including a recommended whipped cream finish or more adventurous options like sprinkling chopped berries or nuts on top.
GingerBread Cream Pie
Beneath its rich and flavorful gingerbread topping, this pie boasts a deliciously simple preparation method. By opting for a store-bought crust or making your own with an added twist of ginger, you can create a truly unique dessert. The classic combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in the vanilla pudding mix-based topping ensures a delightful taste experience that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
