Thanksgiving pies are a delicious part of the holiday celebration, especially when they’re filled with the warm, comforting flavors of fall. If you’re looking for a new pie to bake this year, this collection has plenty of ideas to explore. You’ll find classic favorites with a fresh twist, plus crowd-pleasing pies that will have everyone saving room for dessert.
1. A Lattice-Topped Pie That’s Twice as Fruity
Sweet cherries and tart apples make this pie a little more unexpected than the usual apple version, with cinnamon and vanilla adding cozy warmth to the filling. The fruit is tossed with brown sugar and cornstarch, then tucked into a homemade butter crust. A lattice top with braided strips gives it a pretty finish, while an egg wash and coarse sugar add extra crunch. A pastry wheel makes cutting the lattice much easier, especially if you want neat strips.
2. Praline Pumpkin Pie with a Seriously Good Crunch
The secret to this pumpkin pie is all in the praline. Chopped pecans and brown sugar are sprinkled into a par-baked crust before the smooth pumpkin filling is poured over them, creating a sweet, nutty layer underneath every slice. Once the pie has baked and cooled, a second mixture of finely chopped pecans, melted butter, and brown sugar goes over the top. A short broil turns it golden and caramelized, adding a lovely contrast to the creamy pumpkin center. Use a glass or ceramic pie plate and let the pie cool completely before adding the topping.
3. This Butterscotch Pie is Basically Dessert Comfort Food
Rich, creamy, and full of caramelized flavor, this butterscotch pie swaps the usual pastry crust for a buttery Biscoff cookie base. The filling starts with homemade caramel, which is combined with a brown sugar and milk mixture before tempered egg yolks turn it into a thick, silky pudding. Pour the filling through a fine-mesh sieve if you spot any lumps, then chill the pie for at least six hours or overnight. Finish it with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed Biscoff cookies and pecans.
4. Cinnamon Pie with an Apple Cider Meringue Crown
If cinnamon is your favorite fall flavor, this pie takes it far beyond the usual sprinkle on top. A cream cheese-based cinnamon filling is baked inside a flaky crust until just set, giving the pie a smooth, cheesecake-like texture. Once chilled, it gets a cloud of apple cider meringue made by gently heating the egg whites and sugar before whipping them to medium-stiff peaks. Reduced apple cider adds a subtle fruity note without overpowering the cinnamon. A piping bag works beautifully for creating swirls of meringue, while homemade cinnamon apple chips make a pretty finishing touch for these Thanksgiving pies.
5. This Pear Pie Brings a Little Bourbon to Dessert
For a fresh take on holiday pie, try this bourbon pear version. Chunks of ripe pear are gently tossed with bourbon, cornstarch, coconut or brown sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon before being tucked into a buttery homemade crust. The decorative topping is especially charming, with tiny pieces of dough rolled into pearls and scattered over the filling instead of a traditional lattice. Keep those dough pieces chilled and work quickly so the butter stays firm. A dusting of powdered sugar gives the cooled pie a simple finishing touch.
Related: 21+ Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas for the Morning-Of
6. A Chai-Spiced Pumpkin Pie with a Toasty Finish
Pumpkin pie gets a cozy upgrade with a homemade chai spice blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, and cloves. The spiced pumpkin filling goes into a par-baked crust and bakes until the center has just a slight wobble. Once cooled, it’s topped with a glossy meringue flavored with more chai spice. You can spread it on with a spatula or pipe it into pretty swirls using a star tip, then toast the peaks with a kitchen torch for that marshmallow-like finish. The pie and filling can be prepared ahead, which is especially handy when the holiday kitchen gets busy.
7. This No-Fuss Pecan Pie is All About the Creamy Filling
Think of this pecan cream pie as the cool and creamy cousin of classic pecan pie. Instead of a gooey baked filling, it combines cream cheese, brown sugar, maple syrup, whipped cream, and chopped pecans for a fluffy filling with plenty of nutty crunch. Fold everything together gently with a silicone spatula, then spread it into a fully baked pie crust and chill for at least four hours. A thick layer of whipped cream and a scattering of pecans finish it off. I especially like this one as a make-ahead dessert since an overnight chill helps the filling become nicely sliceable.
8. Classic Apple Pie Gets a Caramel Drizzle
This version of the Thanksgiving apple pie makes it even more tempting with layers of caramel sauce tucked between the apples. Thinly sliced apples are tossed with lemon juice, flour, sugar, and cinnamon, then layered into a prepared crust with spoonfuls of caramel in between. Finish with a lattice crust, brush it with egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking until golden and bubbly. Place the pie on a cookie sheet to catch any escaping juices, and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. A pie crust shield also helps keep the edges from overbrowning.
9. The Pumpkin Cheesecake Hybrid We’re Saving Room for
Why choose between pumpkin pie and cheesecake when you can have both? This pumpkin cheesecake pie starts with a buttery Biscoff cookie crust, made by crushing the cookies in a food processor and mixing the crumbs with melted butter before baking. The filling combines full-fat cream cheese, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, heavy cream, and warm spices, with a little lemon juice to brighten the richness. Bake it until the edges are set and the center still has a gentle wobble, then chill thoroughly before decorating with whipped cream.
10. Brown Butter Makes This Pumpkin Pie Extra Special
Brown butter and caramel give this pumpkin pie a deeper, more complex flavor. The homemade crust is par-baked first, while the filling begins with butter cooked until nutty and golden, then combined with brown sugar, water, cream, and vanilla. Pumpkin puree, warm spices, molasses, lemon juice, eggs, and evaporated milk join the caramel mixture before everything is blended until smooth. Use an instant-read thermometer to take the guesswork out of the caramel, then let the finished pie cool completely before slicing.
Related: 21+ No-Bake Thanksgiving Desserts for When the Oven Is Full
11. A Crackly Thanksgiving Chocolate Pie with a Gooey Center
Not all Thanksgiving pies need to be fruity or spiced, and this chocolate version is a perfect example. A cocoa-rich filling made with eggs, sugar, instant coffee, melted butter, vanilla, and chocolate chips bakes inside a flaky crust until the top develops a beautiful crackled surface while the center stays soft and wobbly. The instant coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee. Let it cool for about 20 to 30 minutes for a warm, molten texture, or chill it for a firmer slice. Finish with maple-sweetened hazelnut whipped cream, using an electric mixer to whip it into soft, fluffy peaks.
12. A Smooth, Spiced Apple Butter Pie for the Holidays
Apple butter gives this pie all the cozy flavor of baked apples without having to peel and slice a mountain of fruit. The filling combines apple butter, eggs, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla, creating a rich, custardy center. A gluten-free crust makes it a useful option for guests avoiding gluten, while little pastry leaves add a festive touch on top. Brush the crust with egg white before freezing to create a barrier that helps prevent sogginess. Use small cookie cutters for the decorative leaves, then toss them in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm.
13. Marbled Mascarpone Makes This Pumpkin Pie a Showstopper
Mascarpone gives this pumpkin pie a subtle richness and a beautiful marbled finish. The creamy cheese is whipped with sugar, an egg, and vanilla using an electric mixer, while the remaining mixture is combined with pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt. Pour the pumpkin filling into the crust, then spoon the mascarpone mixture over it and gently swirl with a knife or chopstick. Bake until the edges puff while the center remains slightly wobbly, then cool and refrigerate for at least six hours.
14. Bourbon and Brûlée Take This Sweet Potato Pie to Another Level
This sweet potato pie takes a classic Southern-inspired dessert and gives it a dramatic brulee finish. Roasted sweet potatoes are mashed and blended with butter, brown and granulated sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, warm spices, and a splash of bourbon before going into an unbaked crust. Once the pie cools, sprinkle the surface with turbinado and granulated sugar, then caramelize it section by section with a culinary torch. The result is a thin, crackly sugar shell over the creamy filling. Make the pie a few days ahead, but wait until serving day to brûlée the top so it stays crisp.
15. A Maple Chess Pie with a Bold Espresso Finish
The sweet maple and bold coffee flavors complement each other beautifully in this chess pie. The filling combines eggs, maple syrup, melted butter, buttermilk, fine cornmeal, and a little bourbon or vanilla, then bakes into a rich, custardy center that stays slightly jiggly in the middle. Bake the crust until deeply golden to give it enough structure for the soft filling. Once the pie has cooled completely, top it with homemade espresso whipped cream made with heavy cream, powdered sugar, and instant espresso powder. A hand mixer makes the topping quick to prepare. For a bright finishing touch, scatter a few candied orange strips over the cream.
16. The Old-School Pie for Chocolate-Peanut Butter Fans
This pie has the kind of chocolate-peanut butter combination that makes it difficult to stop at one slice. A salty pretzel crust provides the base, with melted chocolate spread over it for an extra-rich layer. The creamy filling combines peanut butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and whipped cream, giving it a light texture that balances the richer chocolate. Use a food processor to turn the pretzels into fine crumbs, then press them firmly but not too tightly into the pie plate. After chilling, finish with fluffy whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder for a simple retro look.
17. A S’mores Pie with Plenty of Chocolate and Marshmallows
Turn everyone’s favorite campfire treat into a Thanksgiving pie with this easy recipe. A buttery graham cracker crust is baked briefly, then topped with mini marshmallows and returned to the oven until they begin to melt and brown. Once cooled, the crust gets a thick layer of chocolate pudding folded with Cool Whip, creating a light, creamy filling. Pipe more whipped topping around the edges and pile on crushed graham crackers, chocolate pieces, and mini marshmallows. Chill the finished pie for two to three hours before serving.
Related: 15+ Fancy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Cups to Make for Your Party
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving pies are made for sharing, whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or bringing dessert to a holiday potluck. With so many flavors and styles to choose from, there’s something here for every kind of pie lover. Pick a classic, try something a little different, or bake a few to give your guests plenty of options at the dessert table.
