Life
Turkey might be the headliner at Thanksgiving dinner, but let’s be honest, it’s the pies that steal the show.Nothing quite takes you out of your tryptophane torpor like that dessert sugar high that comes from sampling every single flavor, as any true Thanksgiving warrior will do.
You’ve got all of your classics, and you can’t go wrong with a pumpkin, pecan, or apple variety. But why not try something a bit out of the ordinary this year and whip up a pie that resembles one of your favorite desserts? Think about it. A scrumptious dessert that, while still true to the traditional Thanksgiving pie form, also utilizes the flavors of your most-loved candies and baked goods — could it get any more delicious? Everything from store-bought cookies to candies can be transformed to a filling that’s sandwiched between a flaky crust.
Sure, put out a pumpkin pie for good measure. But while Grandpa snoozes in front of the football game and the kids get excited for their first visit from The Elf on the Shelf, also try serving some of these alternative pies that’ll wow everyone’s taste buds. And consider wearing your most spacious pair of sweatpants — you’ll want extra room for seconds.
1S’mores Pie
Just because it’s no longer summer doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in a campfire classic. With a graham cracker crust, gooey chocolate filling and golden marshmallow top, Pastry Affair’s s’mores pie is basically a giant, round s’more and —best of all — there’s no risk of burning yourself while toasting your marshmallows.
2Nutter Butter Pie
Remember Nutter Butters? Of course you do, because they are amazing. Cookies and Cups’ nutter butter pie uses this lunchbox favorite cookie as the crust of the pie. Um, yum! Also, if you’re not a fan of the Nutter Butter, or are baking for someone with nut allergies, you can substitute with any cookie you want. The possibilities are endless.
3Root Beer Float Pie
Tap into your inner ‘50s poodle-skirt-wearing, parlor-shop-going teenager with Cookies and Cups’ root beer float pie. This will definitely be the most original dessert at the party, and sure to win over the taste buds of everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
4Chocolate Banana Cream Pie
Keeping with the soda-shop theme, this dessert is like a banana split in pie form. And instead of messy, melty ice cream, the Simple Sweet Life’s chocolate banana cream pie is filled with creamy vanilla and chocolate pudding. Plus, there’s fruit in it, so that makes it totally healthy, right?
5Gingerbread Cookie Pie
Thanksgiving, for better or for worse, is not only its own holiday anymore but also the harbinger of the Christmas season. So make it a smooth transition by serving A Cozy Kitchen’s gingerbread cookie pie. And the best part is, there’s no architect required — you can get the joy of gingerbread without having to assemble a whole confectionary home.
6Butterfinger Pie
Putting out a bowl of fun-sized Butterfingers isn’t exactly the prettiest dessert for your holiday celebration, but that doesn’t mean your guests don’t actually want some candy. Serving Cookies and Cups’ Butterfinger pie is a great way to satisfy those cravings while still keeping up the holiday appearance. (Feel free to use any leftover Halloween candy your kids may have — don’t worry, we won’t tell.)
7Candy Pie
If your candy cravings are super intense, and just Butterfingers won’t cut it for you, you can also try Cookies and Cups’ full-on candy pie. It’s like a trick-or-treat bag exploded into a pie of awesomeness.
8Caramel Apple Pie
This one has the advantage of looking like the most perfect, traditional Thanksgiving dessert ever, which will definitely make your holiday Instagram look like a photo from Better Homes & Gardens. But following Your Cup of Cake’s recipe and adding caramel to apple pie amps up your dessert game and harkens back to a childhood favorite: candy apples.
9Frozen Samoa Pie
I have a total weakness when it comes to Girl Scout Cookies (what’s the maximum number of boxes I can buy?), and the Samoa is my hands-down favorite. So while it might be strange to put a box of Samoa’s out on the dining room table and call it dessert, you can definitely serve My Baking Addiction’s frozen Samoa pie. Everyone will thank you.
10Brownie Pie
This pie is the answer to all of your chocolate prayers. With a rich chocolate filling and a fudgey frosting, Cookies and Cups’ brownie pie combines two of the best desserts into one, incredible, chocolate dream.
11Peanut Butter Oreo Ice Cream Pie
Just the name of this pie will have your mouth watering. Peanut butter, good. Oreos, good. Ice cream, good. Pie, good. Cookie Monster Cooking’s peanut butter Oreo ice cream pie? The best!
Images: Courtesy of My Baking Addiction; Pastry Affair; Cookies and Cups (5); Simple Sweet Life; A Cozy Kitchen; Your Cup of Cake; Cookie Monster Cooking