Our All-Time Best Thanksgiving Pies from Simply Recipes

All hail the Thanksgiving pie! Here are all of our favorites, from traditional pies like apple and pecan pie to Thanksgiving newcomers like chiffon pumpkin. Grab a fork and dig in!

By
Emma Christensen,
Emma Christensen
Emma Christensen is the General Manager for Simply Recipes, the author of three books on home brewing and a graduate from The Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. 
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Milagros Cruz,
Milagros Cruz
Milagros has been developing content for the past six years and worked with brands such as Food Network and The Latin Kitchen.
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and
Munni Pramanik
Munni Pramanik
Munni Pramanik (she/her/hers) is a self-taught home cook, food blogger, foodie, food-oriented traveler, and a Simply Recipes Recipe Tester.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated October 18, 2022
Our All-Time Best Thanksgiving Pies from Simply Recipes

Simply Recipes

Let's be real. We might make a big deal about the amazing golden hue of this year's roast turkey and go back for seconds of Grandma’s famous green bean casserole, but most of us are really just waiting a polite and acceptable period of time until we can hit the dessert table.

We're just here for the pie, thanks.

There's a lot riding on these Thanksgiving pies. Do you stick to tradition, or branch out into something new? How many pies do you really need? (Trick question: you need all of them.)

Here's my advice—give yourself a break when it comes to Thanksgiving dessert. Make one or two traditional pies, but then make some room for something new on the table. Who knows—one of your guests might just discover a new favorite!

  • Chess Pie

    Overhead view of the best chess pie with a slice removed. The slice is on a blue plate with forks and a pie server to the right.
    Irvin Lin

    Serve up this Southern classic Chess Pie to friends and family. It’s made with basic pantry ingredients, keeps well after baking, and you can freeze it.

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  • Homemade Pumpkin Pie

    Homemade Pumpkin Pie

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    This is absolutely the BEST homemade pumpkin pie recipe! Make it with canned or fresh pumpkin puree and up to several days ahead. Also freezes well! Thanksgiving pie never looked so good or so easy.

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  • Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping

    Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Topping
    Elise Bauer

    Holiday sweet potato pie with a pecan topping. Dense and sweet filling with sweet potatoes, sweetened condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, and bourbon. Topped with candied pecan topping. Delicious!

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  • Coconut Cream Pie

    Overhead view of a homemade coconut cream pie with a slice removed and set on a plate to the right.
    Marta Rivera

    Coconut cream pie may not be traditional for a Thanksgiving table, but what can I say? I like to shake things up. This pie does just that! Toasted coconut and a creamy custard make this pie sing and the dollops of whipped cream on top won’t keep you away either.

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    Continue to 5 of 38 below.

  • Chiffon Pumpkin Pie

    Chiffon Pumpkin Pie
    Elise Bauer

    Pumpkin pie lovers, take note! This pumpkin chiffon pie has a gingersnap crust and a light, pudding-like filling. It's a fun and elegant riff on the classic pie, and sure to become a favorite.

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  • Easy Chocolate Cream Pie

    A whole chocolate pie topped with shaved chocolate.
    Sally Vargas

    Chocolate, pudding, and pie—the best of all possible worlds! Make the pie filling in the microwave and pour into a pre-baked crust. This make-ahead chocolate pie sets up in a few hours in the fridge, just in time for dessert.

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  • Porter Peanut Pie

    Virginia Peanut Pie with Porter on white plates.
    Lori Rice

    I know we’re used to pecan pie for Thanksgiving dessert, but why not try your hand at a porter peanut pie loaded with peanuts and porter beer, for hints of rich brown sugar and vanilla. Combine that with toasted nuts and you have a match made in pie heaven.

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  • Dutch Apple Pie

    Dutch apple pie
    Alison Bickel

    Thanksgiving pie has never tasted this good with a pie filled to the brim with apples, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The best part is that you can make this pie ahead of time (freeze it) and then bake it when you’re ready. Holiday dinner just became a breeze.

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    Continue to 9 of 38 below.

  • Pumpkin Cheesecake

    pumpkin cheesecake slice with whipped cream

    Elise Bauer

    We know, we know. This isn't actually a pie. but this cheesecake has all the best parts of pumpkin pie (pumpkin! cinnamon! nutmeg!) combined with the creaminess of cheesecake. Top it with caramel sauce and whipped cream.

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  • Homemade Apple Pie

    Homemade Apple Pie Recipe with Ice Cream

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

    This is absolutely the best homemade apple pie you'll ever make! It has a flaky, buttery crust and a tender, lightly-spiced apple pie filling. Use a combination of apples for best flavor, and bake until the top is golden and the filling is bubbly!

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  • Shoofly Pie

    A crumb topped easy shoofly pie.
    Irvin Lin

    This shoofly pie recipe is the perfect pantry pie. Molasses is combined with butter and a warm-spice crumble topping that will leave you going back for seconds, and maybe even thirds.

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  • Lemon Shaker Pie

    6 Ingredient Lemon Pie with a slice on a plate.
    Irvin Lin

    If you’re looking for a no waste dessert, then you’ve found your match. This pie uses the lemon peel, pith, and inner flesh in the filling for a pie with minimum waste and maximum flavor.

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    Continue to 13 of 38 below.

  • Pecan Pie

    Close up of baked pecan pie filling.
    Elise Bauer

    With a homemade crust and a sweet pecan filling, this is THE pecan pie for your Thanksgiving table! Make it a day or two ahead, or freeze it for even longer.

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  • Mile High Deep Dish Apple Pie

    mile high apple pie on serving plate
    Elise Bauer

    Deep dish Apple Pie! This extra thick, mile-high apple pie has a buttery crust double stacked with apples.

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  • Pear Ginger Maple Pie

    Pear Ginger Maple Pie
    Elise Bauer

    Meet your new favorite pie: Chopped pears are accented with candied ginger and maple syrup and topped off with an insanely delicious streusel topping.

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  • Lemon Meringue Pie

    Lemon Meringue Pie
    Elise Bauer

    This is the BEST lemon meringue pie! The tart and creamy lemon custard filling is topped with mile-high billowy meringue. Make this when you want something impressive.

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    Continue to 17 of 38 below.

  • Apple Slab Pie

    Apple Slab Pie
    Cindy Rahe; Pie crust photos: Elise Bauer

    A slab pie is the perfect dessert for a crowd, plus more flaky crust in every bite. Use a mix of apples for best flavor. Great for apple-picking parties, Thanksgiving, or holiday gatherings.

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  • Sour Cream Apple Pie

    Portion Size of Sour Cream Apple Pie on Plate

    Simply Recipes / Annika Panniker

    Absolutely delicious sour cream apple pie with a brown sugar, flour, and butter streusel topping.

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  • Caramel Nut Tart

    Caramel Nut Tart
    Elise Bauer

    Do you love nuts? This caramel nut tart recipe combines walnuts, pecans, and almonds, in a caramel filling, served in a buttery crust.

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  • Mint Chocolate Cream Pie

    Mint Chocolate Cream Pie
    Cindy Rahe

    I am a huge fan of anything chocolate and this pie is a chocolate dream. It’s like instant chocolate pudding in pie form, but so much more delicious.

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    Continue to 21 of 38 below.

  • Gluten-Free Apple Tart

    Paleo and Gluten-Free Apple Tart
    Sabrina Modelle

    Paleo and gluten-free apple tart. So stunning on a Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday table. Easy food-processor pie crust.

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  • Apple Cranberry Pie

    Apple Cranberry Pie
    Elise Bauer

    This apple cranberry pie is one of our favorite pies to make for Thanksgiving or the holidays! Flaky buttery crust, spiced apples mixed with dried cranberries and brandy.

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  • Walnut Maple Pie

    Walnut Maple Pie
    Elise Bauer

    Walnut pie! Similar to pecan pie, with fresh chopped walnuts, in a custardy base, sweetened with maple syrup.

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  • Classic Sweet Potato Pie

    Slice of sweet potato pie on a white plate with whipped cream dusted with cinnamon and fork.
    Sally Vargas

    Thanksgiving isn’t complete without sweet potato pie! Trust me. For this recipe, you’ll roast your own sweet potatoes and while that adds an additional step it will reward you in flavor. Get ready for a standout pie this year. 

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    Continue to 25 of 38 below.

  • Chocolate Pecan Tart

    Chocolate Pecan Tart
    Sheryl Julian

    Upgrade your pecan pie this Thanksgiving! This chocolate pecan tart is like a cross between a nut-filled brownie and chocolate fudge.

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  • Coconut Banana Cream Pie

    Coconut Banana Cream Pie
    Cindy Rahe

    Two great pies, combined in one. Graham cracker crust, creamy coconut custard, ripe bananas, and whipped cream topping.

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  • Peanut Butter Pie

    Chocolate penaut butter pie topped with whipped cream and peanut butter cups.
    Cindy Rahe

    Peanut butter lovers, this one's for you! It's the most decadent and indulgent peanut butter pie EVER, made with extra peanut butter in the filling, peanut butter cups on top, and a drizzle of melted peanut butter and chocolate. We warned you!

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  • Key Lime Pie

    Overhead shot of a homemade keylime pie, covered with whipped cream and with a linen beside
    Elise Bauer

    An American classic. Ours is made with lime juice and sweetened condensed milk in a graham cracker crust and topped with whipped cream. Use key limes if you have them, otherwise substitute regular limes.

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    Continue to 29 of 38 below.

  • Apple Cranberry Currant Pie

    Apple Cranberry Currant Crumble Pie
    Elise Bauer

    Apple lovers rejoice! This is an apple crumble pie with sliced apples, currants, and dried cranberries. Throw in a brown sugar streusel topping and all I can hear is let the holiday festivities begin.

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  • Banana Cream Pie

    Whole banana cream pie with whipped cream swirls on top and banana slices set against a pink background.
    Cindy Rahe

    Move over pumpkin pie, we have a new star in town. This banana cream pie made with sliced bananas layered between a super simple homemade pudding. Whipped cream and additional bananas takes this cream pie from ordinary to extraordinary.

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  • Pecan Pie Bars

    Easy Pecan Pie Bars
    Cindy Rahe

    With a pre-baked shortbread base and more firmly set filling, these bars can be eaten without a plate and fork. You get everything you love about pecan pie without the mess. And, the best part? You can now choose between an ooey-gooey center piece or a deeply caramelized edge piece!

  • Egg Custard Pie

    Slice of Egg Custard Pie on Plate with Cream

    Mark Beahm / Simply Recipes

    Don’t miss out on this Southern favorite! A delightful pie with a crisp, flaky crust, a smooth, creamy custard, and a hint of nutmeg will fill your home with comforting nostalgia and evoke the true meaning of Thanksgiving – spending time with family.

    Continue to 33 of 38 below.

  • Karishma Pradhan's Basque-Style Pumpkin Cheesecake

    Basque-style cheesecake with slices cut out of it.

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

    Okay, hear me out. Yes, this is not quite a pie, but nothing says Thanksgiving more than a cinnamony, gingery pumpkin dessert. Amaze your guests with this decadent, creamy Basque-style pumpkin cheesecake! Serve with whipped cream and watch it be quickly devoured!

  • Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

    Chocolate pecan pie with bourbon with a couple slices cut.
    Sally Vargas

    The pecan pie got an upgrade! The bourbon accentuating the brown sugar and vanilla adds a nice level of depth, while the chocolate chips keeping the pie from being overly sweet gives it “fancy candy bar vibes”. It’s a combination we need in our lives!

  • Pumpkin Pie Bars with Candied Ginger Whipped Cream

    Side view of Pumpkin Pie Bars with Graham Cracker Crust topped with whipped cream.
    Sarah Fritsche

    Pumpkin pie as a bar? Save yourself time this Thanksgiving by baking these easy to make and even easier to share Pumpkin Pie Bars! You get the pumpkin, the spice, and now even some candied ginger, all served on a graham cracker crust. It’s everything you love about the quintessential Thanksgiving pie minus the mess. A win win for everyone!

  • Caramelized Pecan Tart

    Caramelized Pecan Tart
    Elise Bauer

    What makes this tart unique is the sugar caramelizing around the pecans as it bakes. In the words of Elise Bauer, “You get all the great caramel flavor without having to make a separate sauce.” Served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, you’ll have a rich, nutty dessert people will talk about in Thanksgivings to come. 

    Continue to 37 of 38 below.

  • S’mores Pie

    Easy S'mores Pie slice and serve the pie
    Aaron Hutcherson

    A favorite fall activity with my family is to huddle around the fire pit on a nippy evening and roast marshmallows for s’mores while enjoying each other’s company. Now, it's time to create the same experience but indoors and in pie form. With a crunchy graham cracker crust, a cool chocolate pudding filling, and a broiler toasted marshmallow topping, this pie will capture the hearts of all.

  • Pear Tart

    Pear Tart
    Elise Bauer

    A perfect tart for your fruit loving family members. A flaky crust filled with frangipane almond paste and thinly sliced Bosc pears and topped with a delightful apricot jam glaze, this simple tart is a must for the pie table. Your guests will be dazzled by its beauty and flavor.