This year, the man and I are about to celebrate our fifteenth Thanksgiving together. Fifteen! Where have the years gone??? It’s hard to believe that this girl from the other side of the pond, where Thanksgiving is not 'a thing' (but just give it time!) has been celebrating this fabulous American holiday since 2009. And from my very first Thanksgiving, I've been hooked! Now I love it as much as I love Christmas, and it’s yet another reason why I love autumn… OK, Fall even!
This holiday is synonymous with family; gratitude; togetherness - and pie! And lots of it! Ask most people what they believe one of the most important elements of the grand Thanksgiving dinner is, and chances are they'd say pie. Or is that just me???
I won't lie, my home economics teacher hated my pie-making skills, and I admit my pastry is nothing to write home about and definitely doesn’t bring all the boys to the yard. So I tend to buy rather than make pies from scratch (I do want them to taste good after all!) But one year I did manage to make two pumpkin pies and I was amazed at how easy it was. Furthermore I managed to surprise myself by making pies that were just as good as ones bought from the store. Though once again, I won't lie - I did buy the pastry cases! But as the rest of it was my own work (and no, the pumpkin didn't come from a tin!) we'll call it a joint effort!
I don’t mind admitting that for our first Thanksgiving since moving out here permanently, I went a little crazy with the amount of pies we had - even though The Mister pointed out that it was just the two of us. But let's face it -is there ever such a thing as too much pie???
Compared to those who have lived their entire lives in the United States, I suppose I’ve only really been celebrating Thanksgiving for all of five minutes! But even I know that for those who have celebrated Thanksgiving their whole lives, there’s something profoundly nostalgic about this time, and the holidays wouldn’t be complete without the comforting sight of pies cooling on the kitchen table (or defrosting on the kitchen table in some cases!). These desserts not only round off a magnificent feast but also carry historical and cultural significance, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of the holiday with nostalgia and memories of gatherings with loved ones packed into every bite. Many people put their own spin on a classic pie, with families having perfected their own secret recipe over the years and passing it down to each new generation.
While that final slice of pie is the grand finale to any successful Thanksgiving meal, it’s very important to remember one other thing… you’ve got to have enough pie left over for breakfast the next morning (or is that just me again?) You just have to! Pie for breakfast? Come on - what could be better!
So let’s take a look at five of the most popular pies served up as Thanksgiving dessert all across America; pies that have earned their rightful place on our plates, in our hearts and in our stomachs!
So let us tempt you with a slice of…
1. Pumpkin Pie
As soon as autumn starts, it's safe to say that it's all about the pumpkin! We want to visit a pumpkin patch, eagerly await our first pumpkin spice latte of the season; adorn our doorsteps with carved pumpkins... forget 'please,' the magic 'p' word is 'pumpkin!' If we were playing Family Fortunes and Les Dennis asked us to name a pie associated with Thanksgiving, you can bet your life the top answer would be pumpkin - and Les wouldn't have to give you the money himself! (To our American friends, Family Fortunes is our Family Feud and Les Dennis is our Steve Harvey, and ‘I’ll give you the money myself if it’s up there’ is his famous catchphrase whenever someone comes up with a crazy answer!)
So it'll come as no surprise that come Thanksgiving, the pie of the day is more than likely to be... pumpkin! There are many people who feel that this autumn holiday just isn't the same without a big, fat wedge of pumpkin pie, with or without the whipped cream.
Its roots can be traced back to the early American settlers who paired native pumpkins with European pie-making traditions. So it’s the perfect marriage between Old and New World charm. The recipe evolved over the years until it reached the version we know today - the richly spiced baked pumpkin custard in a flaky crust that is basically autumn in a pie crust!
2. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie - the South’s super sticky, sweet gift to households celebrating Thanksgiving all over America. While non-Americans are well aware that pumpkin pie is part of America’s Thanksgiving culinary tradition, they’re probably less familiar with pecan pie. A staple in the South, this pie is believed to have originated in France before being brought over to Louisiana. The unique and dense combination of butter, sugar, corn syrup, and eggs create the gooey interior of this pie, which complements the crispiness of the top layer. While baking, the pecans rise to the top, leaving a gooey layer of sugary custard below. Now how good does that sound! Some people do like to add their own twist to the classic pecan pie recipe by adding ingredients such as maple syrup; bourbon or chocolate, and even bacon to really make it their own.
Pecan pie is a perfect blend of smooth, sticky and crunchy textures and nutty, sugary flavours. While pecans are native to North America, this decadent dessert didn’t gain prominence until the early 20th century. It is possible that pecan pie’s ascent to national popularity stemmed from an increased availability of pecans and the spread of the knowledge of Southern cooking. Moreover it was around this time that recipes using corn syrup, a key ingredient for the pie's rich, gooey filling, were popularized.
Part of pecan pie’s charm is its association with Southern hospitality plus its unbeatable richness which makes it a Thanksgiving showstopper - and no doubt a change from the equally delicious pumpkin pie (nothing wrong with mixing it up every now and again!)
3. Apple Pie
If Heinz has fifty seven varieties, then apple pie has to have at least three times that! Apple pie is a year-round favorite, and is known the world over with many countries having their own version of this sublime dessert. Its presence at Thanksgiving highlights its place in American culinary tradition and identity, cemented in the phrase ‘American as apple pie.’ Warm, sliced, spiced apples in a buttery crust make this pie a must-have, especially when topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
But despite it’s association with America, apple pie had actually been baked in Europe long before the first settlers came over - bringing this great dish with them! Apples have been cultivated in the U.S. since colonial times, and their abundance made them a staple in early American baking.
Although it isn’t solely a Thanksgiving dish, with apple pie being available all throughout the year (worldwide at that!) apple picking is a popular autumn activity - and what better way to put all those apples to good use than by baking them into a pie? With warming spices such as cinnamon and cloves, apple pie conjures up images of coziness, warmth and home, and is a symbol of patriotism and the American way of life, making it just perfect for Thanksgiving. And it’s because of the latter, that apple pie is also associated with Fourth of July celebrations.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
Another Southern classic, sweet potato pie rivals pumpkin pie for its creamy texture, earthy sweetness… and that familiar orange hue! If pies had cousins, sweet potato pie would be pumpkins first cousin! Sweet potato pie’s roots date back to medieval Europe but it gained popularity in the South and among African American communities, particularly during the Harlem Renaissance, as a cultural staple. Sweet potatoes were a readily available alternative to pumpkins in the South, giving this pie deep regional and historical significance.
Their natural sweetness paired beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The pie gained prominence in African American homes during the early 20th century and is now a beloved holiday tradition with families all over America.. Its smooth, custard-like filling is a perfect complement to Thanksgiving’s hearty main courses, offering a slightly lighter, brighter alternative to pumpkin pie.
5. Cherry Pie
For those who don’t hail from America, you probably wouldn’t think that cherry pie screams Thanksgiving quite the same way that pumpkin or pecan do. Cherries are not seasonal for a start and is more commonly associated with summer. But good ol’ cherry pie still has a very prominent place at the Thanksgiving dessert table for many households across the country. Its bright, vibrant cherry-red scrumptiousness peeking out from beneath a delicately lattice-topped pie (gosh I’ve come over all Nigella!) adds variety and makes a very appealing addition to the pie spread - which let’s face it, as delicious as it is, tends to all be on the orange-brown side and all a bit samey visually.
Though a seemingly unexpected addition to the Thanksgiving lineup, cherry pie brings a tart-tangy-sweet twist which balances out and cuts through the richness of the other pies. Furthermore cherries were among the first fruits preserved for baking and used in pie-making long before refrigeration, which makes them a rather appropriate choice for a holiday steeped in tradition, and an alternative to apple for those who prefer a fruitier option.
Thanksgiving pies aren’t just desserts. As with most food traditions, they’re cherished edible memories, with each forkful steeped in nostalgia and tradition.
Which of these is your favourite Thanksgiving Pie? Do you have a cherished family recipe that you adhere to every Thanksgiving? Or do you like to change things up each year? Share your thoughts and traditions in the comments below!
Photos: Wix and Unsplash
GIFs: Wix
Blog graphics: Angel Noire
I love baking so if I celebrated Thanksgiving, that would be my favourite part of the whole event. Well one of them anyway. 😁