Move Over Pumpkin, There’s Some New Pies In Town!

Don’t get me wrong – I’m kind of a pumpkin pie fanatic. I’m a pumpkin-everything fanatic, which is why autumn is my favorite season of all. However, even while pledging my love for pumpkin pie, I admit that it kind of gets all the credit during Thanksgiving. When there are so many pies in the world, why focus on only one?

So for those of you looking for a change, or if the thought of pumpkin pie makes you gag, here are a few other favorites that deserve a bit of recognition – and maybe a place on your Thanksgiving dinner table. I’ve also included some videos, if you’re feeling daring and want to try to make these pies from the comfort of your own kitchen.

1. Pecan Pie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5vzV33h0T0?rel=0

Boy, do I love pecan pie. Made primarily with corn syrup and pecan nuts, food historians generally agree that pecan pie is a twentieth century invention. While it was inspired by other sugar pies, it was made popular by the makers of Karo syrup, who included it in numerous cook books.

Pecan Pie has been named America’s third favorite pie. Can you guess what #1 is?

2. Apple Pie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkiYn8LFFQY?rel=0

Yup. Apple Pie is the winner of the pie contest. It’s believed that the first apple pie was made in England, over 600 years ago and Granny Smith apples have been said to be one of the ultimate favorite apples to use for pie-making. (Although don’t feel bad if you’ve been making mock apple pies – those have gained popularity as well!)

Personally, my favorite apple pies include ice cream. Because apples and vanilla bean are a match made in heaven.

3. Lemon Meringue Pie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6gQ-cQzbmE?rel=0

Similarly to the pumpkin and the pecan, lemon meringue pies don’t have an upper crust. It includes a light and sweet lemon custard, which is usually prepared with egg yolks, lemon zest, starch, and (of course) sugar.

While you might think this pie is a little summery, hear me out! It’s light enough to enjoy even after you chow down on all of the other delicious dishes that Thanksgiving has to offer.

4. Banoffee Pie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXvUic28ghI?rel=0

Talk about an amazing pie – Banoffee Pie came from England, and is the combination of “banana” and “toffee”. I was going to list banana cream pie on the list, until I remembered that while the banana pie is excellent, this one is a bit more special.

Ian Dowding and Nigel Mackenzie, the former chef and owner at The Hungry Monk restaurant in Jevington, East Sussex, claimed to have created the pie in the 1970’s. The pie still holds some controversy – people can’t decide if the pie is supposed to have a biscuit or a pastry base. Dowding personally hates “biscuit crumb bases and that horrible cream in aerosols”, and creates his base from shortcrust pastry.

5. Coconut Custard Pie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExtqnjcLxPw?rel=0

If you like thick and creamy pies, this one might be up your alley. Similar to a chocolate cream pie, the coconut custard has a pudding-like filling – but this one is packed with shredded coconut. If you want to stray away from the pumpkin but want something with a similar texture, the coconut custard is in the same family of pies. An intriguing cousin, if you will.

Let’s talk pies – what are some of your favorites? Are there any that you wish made the list?

Image Credit: Shutterstock (featured)