The Ultimate Thanksgiving Pie Guide
Consider this your ultimate resource for Thanksgiving pies! I’m sharing 20 of my favorite Thanksgiving pie recipes and holiday desserts, from classics like homemade pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and Mile High apple pie to fun twists like apple pear praline pie and peanut butter marshmallow pie.
Whether you’re sticking with tradition or trying something new, I think you’ll find something to love. And I’ve included my favorite homemade pie crust recipe, pie baking tips, and make-ahead advice to help with the holiday baking!
20 Thanksgiving Pie Recipes
Can’t decide what to make? Pumpkin, pecan, and apple are classics for a reason. If you want something different, sweet potato pie with toasted marshmallow meringue, apple pear praline pie, and lemon meringue pie all bring something special to the table. There’s a pie here for chocolate lovers, fruit pie fans, and everyone in between!
Pumpkin & sweet potato pies
Classic Pumpkin Pie
Smooth and creamy pumpkin filling with warm spices, all baked in a flaky butter crust. Don’t forget the whipped cream!
Chocolate Pumpkin Pie
Take your pumpkin pie to the next level! This pie has a simple gingersnap cookie crust, traditional spiced pumpkin filling, and a topping of rich dark chocolate ganache.
Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue
This spiced sweet potato pie baked into a buttery pie crust and topped with a pillow of toasted marshmallow meringue is the perfect fall pie!
Pumpkin Pie with Nut Praline
A delicious twist on the classic, with a traditional creamy spiced filling and crunchy caramel nut topping.
Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Tart
Spiced pumpkin and dark chocolate swirled together inside a chocolate cookie crust is the ultimate holiday tart!
Apple and other fruit pies
“Mile High” Apple Pie
If you’re looking for the BEST apple pie, then this stunning deep-dish apple pie is for you!
Cranberry Blueberry Pie
This cranberry blueberry pie is a delicious combination of sweet and tart, with a hint of cozy spices, all inside a buttery flaky pie crust.
Sour Cream Apple Pie
A delicious non-traditional pie with a tart creamy filling and buttery cinnamon streusel topping.
Apple Pear Praline Pie
Apples and pears baked together with a caramel pecan topping make this apple pear praline pie the perfect fall and holiday dessert.
Cranberry Pear Pie
You’ll love the delicious combination of lightly spiced fresh pears and cranberries sandwiched between layers of flaky butter pie crust in this cranberry pear pie.
Apple Crumble Pie
Everything you want in an apple pie! With buttery flaky crust, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, and a delightfully crisp pecan and oat crumb topping.
Pecan and other nutty pies
Classic Pecan Pie
You can’t beat a classic like pecan pie! It’s rich and full of flavor, and only requires 6 ingredients.
Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie
Classic pecan pie gets a super delicious upgrade! With dark chocolate chips and toasted coconut.
Caramel Cranberry Hazelnut Tart
This unique tart filled with homemade caramel, fresh cranberries, and whole hazelnuts is one of my favorites!
Cream pies and other favorites
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie
With layers of chocolate ganache, fresh bananas, vanilla pudding and whipped cream, this chocolate banana cream pie is one you’re sure to love.
Cranberry Mascarpone Tart
If you’re searching for a non-traditional pie for your holiday table, then look no further than this creamy cranberry mascarpone tart with pecan shortbread crust.
Key Lime Pie
Everyone’s favorite classic key lime pie is simple and easy to make! You’ll love the crisp graham cracker crust, creamy tart lime filling, and sweetened whipped cream topping.
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Pie
This light and creamy peanut butter mousse pie with marshmallow whipped cream and pretzel crust is the ultimate sweet and salty indulgence.
Creamy Caramel Pudding Pie
A light and creamy caramel pudding pie with a gingersnap pecan crust. It’s a perfect pie for fall!
Lemon Meringue Pie
A silky lemon filling and fluffy toasted meringue in a buttery crust. This one has a special holiday connection for me: lemon meringue pie often showed up at Thanksgiving and Christmas when I was growing up.
Pie crust recipes & baking tips
A great pie starts with a great crust! My foolproof flaky pie crust recipe walks you through the process step by step, with tips for getting those buttery, flaky layers.
More pie crust help
- Want extra flavor? Try my buttermilk pie crust recipe. It’s my favorite variation, and I use it for most of my pies.
- Want an easier method? Learn how to make pie crust in a food processor.
- Making a cream or custard pie? Here’s how to blind bake pie crust so it’s ready for your filling.
- Want a pretty finish? My photo tutorial shows you how to make a lattice pie crust.
Troubleshooting and pie baking tips
Pies are too much work to have them not turn out right! I’ve learned from all of my pie mistakes and want to help you have success every time. So here are a few extra pie resources:
- My favorite pie-baking tools to make homemade pies a little easier.
- 8 common pie mistakes and how to fix them for better crusts and fillings.
- How to prevent a runny pie filling when baking fruit pies.
- How to prevent a soggy bottom pie crust so you get a better bake.
- How to cut clean slices of cream pie for serving pretty pieces.
How to make Thanksgiving pies ahead of time
Thanksgiving baking is so much easier when you can get a few things done ahead of time! I like to start with my pie crusts so they’re ready to go when it’s time to bake.
Homemade pie crust dough can be made several days ahead and refrigerated, or double-wrapped and frozen for later. Thaw frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
I like to get my pie crusts done and out of the way a week or so before Thanksgiving.
For the best results, I typically bake my pies just 1 or 2 days before Thanksgiving.
Many fruit pies can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, while pies made with eggs or dairy, including pumpkin, custard, and cream pies, need to be refrigerated.
Be sure to check the individual recipe for specific storage instructions.
Some pies freeze better than others! Fruit pies can be frozen baked or unbaked, and baked pecan pies can also be frozen. Pumpkin, custard, and cream pies generally don’t freeze as well because their fillings can change texture. For the best results, follow the freezing and thawing directions in each recipe.
Need help deciding what to bake and when? My Thanksgiving baking timeline includes a make-ahead schedule and a printable checklist to help keep everything organized.
More Thanksgiving recipes and baking inspiration
Still planning the rest of your Thanksgiving menu? Here are a few more resources to help!
- My favorite Thanksgiving recipes for turkey, sides, rolls, and the rest of the holiday menu.
- Thanksgiving desserts that aren’t pie for cakes, cookies, and other options beyond pie.
- Thanksgiving baking timeline for planning your holiday baking schedule.
- Foolproof flaky pie crust for step-by-step help with homemade crust.
Which pie are you making this Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments! And if you bake one of these recipes, I’d love to hear how it turned out.
Wow, 20 pie recipes! That’s amazing and just in time for Thanksgiving. I’m going to need to print some of these out.
a Thanksgiving pie guide! This is exactly what I need. I always struggle deciding which ones to make.
Wow, what an amazing roundup! 🥧 I love how you’ve covered everything from classic pumpkin to fruity twists like cranberry blueberry pie — perfect for any Thanksgiving table. Can’t wait to bake a few of these this season! Also, if anyone here loves pairing dessert with a cozy coffee, you might enjoy checking out the caffeneromenu.co.uk for some drink inspo
These recipes are absolutely wonderful—thank you for sharing your creativity! I always enjoy trying new ideas like this. Wishing you a cozy and delicious Thanksgiving! 🦃✨