Whenever time for dessert comes around during Thanksgiving dinner, I always hope that there’s another sweet option other than pumpkin pie. Sure, pumpkin pie is a classic Thanksgiving dessert, but in my opinion, it doesn’t deserve all of its hype. For many who dislike pumpkin pie, such as myself, the combination of the pie’s pumpkin flavor and the texture of the filling is more than undesirable.
There are so many other pie flavors that are equally — if not more — delicious than pumpkin pie. If you’re a self-proclaimed pumpkin pie hater or you just want to spice up the end of your Thanksgiving meal with new flavors, consider trying these festive fall pies instead.
Apple Pie
Apple pie is one of my favorite pies, and I think it fits the vibe of the Thanksgiving season just as perfectly as pumpkin pie does. The pie blends warm spices with a nostalgic buttery crust, and the cinnamon in the apple filling is what makes this pie especially well-suited for fall festivities.
This recipe from @jocelynruvalcabaa on TikTok makes me want a slice of homemade apple pie right this instant. Don’t forget to serve each slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
There are so many other unique variations of apple pie that will compliment a Thanksgiving dinner just as well as a regular pie does — apple hand pies, an apple galette, and apple crumble are just a few desserts that come to mind, encompassing the spirit of an apple pie, just in a different form.
Sweet Potato Pie
If you’re not a fan of the texture of pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie is probably not for you. But if the flavor of pumpkin is what’s throwing you off, consider baking or buying a sweet potato pie for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast.
This recipe by @jaaliyahs on TikTok is a recipe passed down from her grandmother. She roasts sweet potatoes until they’re soft enough to skin and puree. The recipe calls for premade dough, which is both time-efficient and texturally sufficient.
She uses the juice of half a lemon and an orange, along with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for extra flavorfulness.
Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a classic that has steadily climbed its way up into the lower ranks of Thanksgiving pie, but it’s never usurped the big-time pumpkin and apple pies during the holiday season. Nevertheless, it’s a pie that is full of texture — something that pumpkin pie can never relate to.
This recipe posted by @allrecipes on TikTok makes pecan pie look easy to bake ahead for the holidays. The recipe uses dark corn syrup to give the pie “its texture, the volume, and the deep flavor.”
The recipe calls for chopped pecans, but whole pecans can be used based on personal preference for the perfect bite. Use store-bought pie crust for one less dish to wash at the end of Thanksgiving evening.
Cranberry Pie
Cranberries are much too sour to eat on their own, but in this recipe by @therealmelindastrauss, they’re balanced and made more tolerable with sugar.
The recipe calls for fresh cranberries, chopped walnuts or pecans, and brown sugar for the filling. The topping is a simple combination of egg, sugar, flour, and butter for added sweetness and texture.
If you’re not a fan of the texture of fresh cranberries in pie, try this recipe for cranberry custard pie, posted by @food52 on TikTok.
Cranberry custard pie ensures a smooth, consistent texture in each bite, and it perfectly balances on the line between sweet and tart.