Fall is pumpkin spice season—no doubt about it. With pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice cookies, pumpkin spice cereal, pumpkin bread, pumpkin yogurt, and pumpkin candy, you may be sick and tired of pumpkin by the time Thanksgiving rolls around! Why not surprise the family with something other than pumpkin pie this year? Here are some unique, alternative pie recipes to try out.
Cinnamon Pie
If you want a dessert that looks similar to pumpkin pie, and even has many of the same ingredients (minus the pumpkin), consider trying cinnamon pie this Thanksgiving. With its creamy spiced filling and golden crust, this is sure to be a favorite go-to in the years to come.
Unsurprisingly, the flavor is reminiscent of cinnamon rolls and cinnamon bread, so if you enjoy these classic desserts, you’re sure to love cinnamon pie. It’s also a great make-ahead option to help free up your oven on Thanksgiving Day.
A Spicy Perspective has a straightforward recipe that’s worth trying.
Pecan Pie
Aside from pumpkin, pecan pie is about the second-most popular Thanksgiving dessert there is. Having said that, you may have never baked your own before. This simple recipe is great for first-time pie makers, especially if you use a store-bought crust. All you need is corn syrup, eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, pecans, and a deep-dish pie crust. Mix all the ingredients, pour them into the crust, and bake! It’s as simple as that.
Get the full instructions from Cookies & Cups.
Cherry Pie
A sweet yet tart cherry pie could be the perfect finish to a traditional (or perhaps not-so-traditional) Thanksgiving meal. Sure, you could reach for a store-bought crust and a can of pie filling for an easy dessert, but if you have the gumption to bake a pie from scratch, this is an excellent recipe to try.
Ingredients for the filling include fresh rainier dark sweet cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla and almond extracts, butter, and eggs. You’ll want a cherry pitter to make the process go smoothly. You can even be bold and make your homemade pie crust. This mouth-watering dessert takes a few hours to prepare and bake, so be sure to make it ahead of time.
You can find the full instructions for this ambitious cherry pie from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Then, don’t forget Sally’s recipe for homemade pie crust.
Coconut Cream Pie
For a creamy, dreamy pie, try coconut cream! This classic dessert isn’t so common on Thanksgiving, but you can always start a new tradition. You have the flexibility to make the entire pie from scratch or buy a pre-made pie crust to skip this first step. Either way, the creamy filling of coconut milk, half-and-half, egg yolks, and other ingredients will have everyone going back for seconds!
Add a Pinch has the full recipe for you to try out.
Key Lime Pie
Whether you live in Florida or just want to bring a taste of the Keys to your Thanksgiving dinner, this pie will do the trick! Most key lime pies use a graham cracker crust, but this one is made with toasted almonds for a unique flavor. It also features a light and fluffy marshmallow topping that sets it apart from many other key lime pie recipes.
For all the instructions, visit Taste of Home.
If you’re excited about baking a Thanksgiving pie that breaks the mold, you might also be on the lookout for unique holiday side dishes. These ideas will change the way you think of green bean casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce!
