Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without a warm slice of pie to end the celebration. Whether you love the traditional flavors of pumpkin and apple or prefer rich chocolate and nutty pecan, there’s a perfect pie for every table. Here are the top Thanksgiving pie recipes, complete with ingredients, instructions, and flavor upgrades to impress your guests.
1. Classic Pumpkin Pie
A timeless Thanksgiving favorite—creamy, warmly spiced, and perfectly comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups pumpkin purée
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 unbaked pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
- Whisk pumpkin, eggs, sugar, spices, and cream.
- Pour into pie crust and smooth the top.
- Bake 50–55 minutes, until the center is set but slightly wobbly.
- Cool completely before slicing.
Upgrade: Add 2 tbsp maple syrup for richer flavor.
2. Pecan Pie
Rich, nutty, sticky-sweet, and beautifully golden on top.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup corn syrup or honey
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 unbaked pie shell
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
- Whisk sugar, corn syrup, eggs, butter, and vanilla.
- Stir in pecans.
- Pour into pie shell and bake 55–60 minutes, until firm.
Variation: Add ¼ cup chocolate chips or a splash of bourbon.
3. Apple Cinnamon Pie
Buttery crust and tender spiced apples make this a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
- 5–6 apples (mix sweet & tart), sliced
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp butter
- Double pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
- Toss apples with sugar, spices, lemon, and flour.
- Fill crust, dot with butter, and top with lattice or full crust.
- Bake 50–60 minutes until golden.
Tip: Cover edges with foil if browning too fast.
4. Sweet Potato Pie
Creamy and lightly spiced, a southern-style holiday classic.
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted sweet potato mash
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
- Mix all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into pie crust and bake 50 minutes.
Topping idea: Toasted marshmallows or whipped cream.
5. Chocolate Cream Pie
Silky chocolate custard with fluffy whipped topping—no oven needed!
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp butter
- Oreo or graham crust
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- In a saucepan, whisk milk, sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch.
- Cook until thick, then whisk in egg yolks and butter.
- Pour into crust and refrigerate 4–5 hours.
- Top with whipped cream.
🍒Cranberry Pie
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (helps thicken)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 orange (optional but recommended)
- Pinch of salt
For the Crust
- 1 unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, cornstarch, salt, and orange zest.
- Cook on medium heat 10–12 minutes, stirring until berries burst and filling thickens.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour the cranberry filling into the pie crust and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until the crust is golden and the filling bubbles.
- Cool completely to allow the filling to set before slicing.
✨ Serving Ideas
- Serve chilled or room temperature
- Add whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or orange zest curls
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar before serving
🍊 Flavor Variations
| Variation | How to Add |
|---|---|
| Cranberry-Apple Pie | Mix 2 cups apples + 2 cups cranberries |
| Cranberry-Pecan Pie | Stir ½ cup chopped pecans into filling |
🎉 Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving pies are more than desserts—they’re tradition, warmth, and celebration. Bake a classic favorite or try something new, and enjoy every sweet slice.