The Apple Pie Recipes That Will Have Your Guests Asking for Seconds (and Maybe Thirds)
These apple pies, tarts, and cakes up the ante on the American classic.
Putting Thanksgiving dinner on the table isn’t easy, and it’s tempting to cut corners. We get it—in fact, we encourage time-saving tricks and hacks at the holidays. Not everything has to be done the hard way.
But one element of the meal that we encourage you to take the time to make from scratch is pie. Sure you can buy one easily, and it’ll probably be pretty good. I mean, is there such a thing as bad pie? But there’s nothing like fresh homemade pastry, and we assure you, the results will be worth it. Yes, it takes a little time, but you can make the pie well in advance so it’s no worry at all on the big day itself.
One perfectly acceptable compromise is to buy a pre-made crust. Grocery stores often sell sheets of piecrust dough, and sometimes even pre-formed, unbaked crusts in tins, which make putting together a pie as easy as, well, pie.
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Whether you make your own crust or buy one, you’ll still face the crucial question: How are you going to fill it? Apple is almost always the right answer. We’ve got some suggestions below, in our roundup of favorite apple pie recipes. Try a classic apple pie if you’re feeling old-school, or an apple pumpkin galette if you want something a little different that still has a traditional taste. If you’re looking to shake it up this year, try a cream torte or a tart with figs and honey. The following recipes are some of our very favorite apple pie creations, and any one of them will provide a sweet ending to your Thanksgiving feast.
Apple and Dried-Fruit Spice Pie
Tart Granny Smith apples, plenty of dried fruit and spices, citrus, and rum go into this richly flavored (and vegetarian) version of mincemeat pie.
Recipe: Apple and Dried-Fruit Spice Pie
Three-Spice Apple Pie
Cardamom and candied ginger add an intriguing flavor twist to this pie recipe courtesy of reader Elaine E. Johnson.
Recipe: Three-Spice Apple Pie
Apple-Cranberry-Currant Pie with French Topping
Studded with tart cranberries and sweet currants, laced with brandy, and finished with a buttery, crisp topping, this dressed up apple pie is a Sunset favorite.
Caramel Apple Pie with Pastry Cutouts
Zoe Nathan of Santa Monica’s Huckleberry Bakery tops her pies with a variety of cutout shapes; for this one, you’ll need a 2 1/2-in. apple-shaped cookie cutter.
Apple Pumpkin Galette
Basically an open-face pie, this is a great dessert for pie-phobes to make because the crust is so easy to handle. Quick prep time makes it a low–stress choice for holiday dinners, too.
Recipe: Apple Pumpkin Galette
Lattice-Top Apple Quince Pie
Portland pasty chef Michelle Vernier cooks the fruit ahead so the pie won’t collapse in the oven.
Recipe: Lattice-Top Apple Quince Pie
Apple Cream Torte
Homey and very moist, a cream torte is like a cross between a cake, a custard, and a dutch baby. To keep the batter from leaking out of the springform pan, be sure the pan bottom and rim fit together tightly; or line the pan with foil before buttering and flouring it.
Recipe: Apple Cream Torte
Apple, Fig, and Honey Tart
You’ll need a nonstick 10-in. tart pan; if yours isn’t non-stick, butter a regular pan and dust with gluten-free baking mix like Cup4Cup (or flour).
Recipe: Apple, Fig, and Honey Tart
Apple Oven Cake
This pancake-like cake is great for after dinner or as a breakfast treat. It’s great for capping a holiday meal, too, as it cooks while you dine. And it comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Recipe: Apple Oven Cake
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