Categories: Food & Drink

5 Pie Recipes To Sweeten Up Your Thanksgiving Dinner

It’s that time of year again. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s hard not to feel frazzled and scrambled when picking your new upcoming recipes for your special family occasion. Thanksgiving dinner is full of family memories and tradition. One of those traditions being pie! Looking to add some sweetness in your life this Thanksgiving? No problem! Here are 5 recipes to sweeten up your Thanksgiving dinner.

This pie offers that special rustic warmth of potatoes and sweetness.

1. Sweet Potato Pie

This fan favorite is very unique in the pie world for its ability to have that hearty texture and warmth of sweet potatoes, while also being a top contender on sweetness. The thing I like about this pie is that it’s not too sweet. If you have family members that aren’t a huge fan of sugar, this pie recipe will wow them. Let’s get started. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of sweet potatoes
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • `1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

First we are going to boil our sweet potatoes. With the skin on, boil for 40 to 50 minutes on medium high heat in a large pot. Then, drain and run cold water over the potatoes and peel them. Break up your potatoes in a bowl and add your butter, sugar, eggs,nutmeg,cinnamon and vanilla. Stir until mixture is smooth. Pour your filling into the pie crust. Preheat your oven to 350F. And bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Make sure you poke a knife or fork into it, and when it’s done, it should come out clean. Serve and enjoy. 

This sweet beauty is perfect for any family get together.

2. Pumpkin Pie

This Thanksgiving classic is great for any holiday dinner. And while this pie takes a little skill to make, your guests will be wowed by it’s excellent flavor and fluffy texture. This pie offers a unique rustic sweetness that is unmatched in it’s color, style and tradition. Here is how we get started. 

Ingredients

  • 1 can of pumpkin
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • 1 small pinch ground ginger
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425F. Whisk in your pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, spices and salt in a medium bowl. Stir until smooth. Pour into your crust and bake for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350F and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes. Insert a fork or knife, if the pie is fully cooked, it should come away clean. Garnish, serve and enjoy. 

This pie offers that unique combination of natural and sugary sweetness.

3. Apple Pie

This decadent pie is the perfect combination of natural and sugary sweetness. If you’re looking for the taste of nature, this pie is a must try for you. The natural aromatics and sugar in the apples, coupled with the soft kick of cinnamon, makes for a perfect Thanksgiving treat. 

Ingredients

  • 2 ( 9 inch) unbaked pie crust, one for the top and one for the bottom
  • 4 pounds of baking apples ( about 7 to 8 apples)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground ginger
  • 1 pinch ground cardamom
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 egg

Directions

Peel your apples and cut them in half. Remove the cores and make them into thin slices. Place your sliced apples into a large bowl. Add in your sugar, salt and spices. Then, using your hands, gently toss together. Make sure the surface of the apples are thoroughly coated. Set it aside for 1 hour at room temperature. Then, preheat your oven to 400F. Toss in your cornstarch to the apples and transfer over to the crust. Carefully layer your apple slices within the pie, until they are mounded. Add the top layer to your pie crust. Pour the juices from the bowl that the apples were stored in over the top. Dot your butter over the pie. Trim excess dough off. Then, whisk your egg with a tbsp of water. Lightly brush your egg wash over the surface of your pie. This will ensure it gets that shiny golden brown texture. Bake your pie for about 75 minutes. You know the pie is done when you see bubbling through the vents at the top of the crust. If you do not see bubbles just give your pie a little more time. Serve and enjoy. 

This pie offers that special color pop to your dinner table.

4. Wild Berry Pie

This recipe is a personal family favorite tradition. Nothing is better than the sweet natural freshness of berries coupled with a light fluffy pie crust. Not only is this pie great tasting but is gorgeous to look at. If you’re looking for a little extra color pop to add to your Thanksgiving ensemble, this recipe is perfect for you. 

See Also

Ingredients

  • 2 unbaked ( 9 inch) unbaked pie crust, one for the top and one for the bottom
  • 7 cups of fresh raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. 2 ½ cups for each berry.
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 4 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 egg, beaten

Directions

Cook your berries, adding sugar and lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until warm and juicy, about 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon some about ½ cup of the juice out into a bowl and add your cornstarch until thick and smooth. Bring your pot of berries back to a light simmer, slowly pouring them into the mixture. Stir until thickened. Allow this to cool for about 15 minutes. Add your berry mixture. You can add a lattice to the top of your pie crust by taking your second pie crust and cutting into strips and arranging accordingly. Brush with your egg wash. Preheat your oven to 400F. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Checking occasionally every 25 minutes. We don’t want the crust getting too brown. Remove and let cool. Serve and enjoy. 

This pie is great when you want some crumble and nuttiness to your next dinner.

5. Pecan Pie

This sweet classic is great if you’re looking to add some rustic sweetness into your Thanksgiving dinner. The dark brown hues are perfect to fit any other color theme. If you’re looking for the sweet nuttiness of pecans coupled with the soft touch of sugar, this recipe is a must try for you. 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dark corn syrup
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups chopped pecans
  • 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350F. In a large mixing bowl, add your corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla, stir thoroughly. Next, add in your pecans. Pour the mixture into your pie crust. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool for at least 2 hours. Serve and enjoy. 

Pies are perfect for adding that special sweetness for your next Thanksgiving dinner. These recipes not only help you up your pie game this season, but also make memories with those you share it with.

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Mary Cron

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