By Lillian Jewett ’29
It’s finally November, which means the arrival of the long-awaited feast of the season: Thanksgiving. Even better than the delectable meal with friends and family is the dessert that follows. From classic pumpkin to peanut butter banana, pies have always been the symbol of the holiday, with endless possibilities in the flavor department. Here are a few of our favorite traditional and peculiar pies for your table this year.
Pumpkin Pie
It’s only fair to start with the most well-known: pumpkin pie. There’s no doubt it’s a classic due to the simple yet delicious nature it possesses. Either whip up a homemade recipe or purchase one from a local farm. When making from scratch, skip a step and save some time by buying pre-made dough from the supermarket. The materials are limited as the filling only takes an average of eight ingredients and around thirty minutes to assemble. Pumpkin is an excellent choice if you need a pie that will appeal to all audiences and ages.
Chocolate Pie
A less common flavor but sure to be a crowd pleaser. The chocolate pie is perfect for those who want a sweet treat but aren’t a fan of fruity desserts. While a more complicated pie due to the baking and chilling time, it will be worth it in the end. The total time accounts to around four hours, but a decent chunk of that’s spent in the oven or fridge, not in preparation. Go find a recipe online and get to baking!
Pecan Pie
Another classic that rolls around each year on the fateful day of Thanksgiving: pecan pie. The rich gooey filling, buttery crust and toasted pecans make the ideal after-dinner treat for those who want a little bit of everything. It takes around two and a half hours to complete from start to finish and will taste delectable served with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
Peanut Butter Banana Pie
Similar to chocolate, peanut butter banana pie is custard-based instead of the traditional tangy fruit filling. The preparation takes approximately fifteen minutes and then all that’s left is to wait as it cooks and cools! A great option for those who want to prep beforehand and bake day of to minimize the kitchen chaos.
Apple Pie
Apple pie might require a hefty time commitment, but the end result is one you won’t regret. The gooey apples, sweet cinnamon, and flaky crust combine to create the defining fall sweet we all love. You can expect to spend around forty-five minutes assembling the filling and up to four hours in total when accounting for baking and chilling times. If desired, you can create the elaborate lattice crust to get the traditional basket weave appearance. Serve with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
Peaches & Cream Pie
Bring back the taste of summer with this tender pie full of sweet, juicy peaches and topped with a rich cream cheese layer. The best part of it all is that it requires no baking, which can be handy when your oven is occupied by a stuffed turkey on Thanksgiving Day. An extremely quick recipe, it estimates only ten minutes for prep and can chill overnight ready to serve with no extra steps.
Image Credits: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2015/11/15/thanksgiving-timeline
