10 Thanksgiving Pies to be Thankful For

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and celebrate good health and happy memories with family. However, we all know the truth: Thanksgiving is really about pie. If you’re looking forward to lining a buffet table with pies to sample after the turkey and stuffing have been put away, we’ve got you covered. These recipes go above and beyond to bring a cornucopia of autumn flavors to your table.

Of course, not everyone may have the baking gene. In that case, scroll down to the end to see if a Welk Thanksgiving feast is the answer to your family’s cravings!

Sweet Potato Pie

A Southern favorite, sweet potato pie provides an interesting alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. This version comes with a crunchy and sweet pecan topping.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sweet potato, cooked and mashed
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2/3 cup milk

Ingredients for the topping:

• 1 cup pecan pieces
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• A pinch sea salt

Combine eggs, sugars, nutmeg, and salt and whisk until smooth. Add the milk, stirring to combine, then fold into the mashed sweet potatoes. Pour the filling into your preferred pie crust and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until filling has begun to crack around the edges. Meanwhile, toast your pecans until crisp, or for approximately 12 minutes. Combine almonds with other topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of the pie. Put the pie back in the oven and bake for 10-15 more minutes.

Fast Vegan Chocolate Mousse Pie

With just a few ingredients and quick preparation time, this is the perfect pie to whip together when you need a last-minute vegan option. If you don’t have a pie crust ready, the filling is just as good spooned into dishes and eaten as a fluffy mousse.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (12 oz.) vegan chocolate chips
• 1 block (14 oz.) tofu
• 1 prepared graham cracker pie crust

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over a double boiler. Pour melted chocolate along with drained and pressed tofu into a blender and blend until frothy and smooth. Pour this mixture into your favorite prepared graham cracker crust and chill until firm.

Toffee Almond Pie

This recipe is a fun twist on traditional pecan pie that has a silky-smooth filling with a sweet and crunchy topping.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 cup toffee bits
• 6 ounces sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 425°F and place pie crust in nine-inch pie plate. Sprinkle toffee bits on the bottom of the crust followed by an almond layer. Whisk eggs, sugar, corn syrup, butter, and cornstarch together until smooth. Pour filling into the crust and bake at 425°F for 10 minutes before lowering temperature to 350°F and baking for an additional 50-60 minutes. Allow pie to completely cool fully before slicing.

Caramel Apple Galette

This is an easy to-make, no-fuss version of a holiday favorite. Caramel sauce adds an extra layer of flavor and silky texture, invoking the flavors of fall.

Ingredients for pie crust:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons milk

Mix flour and salt. Cut in the shortening and butter. Add oil and milk as necessary for moist, smooth dough. Shape dough onto a large cookie sheet and roll into a 12-inch round. Next, prepare the filling.

Ingredients for filling:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 4 cups chopped apples
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients and mound them over the top of the dough. Fold edges of dough toward the center. Bake for 45 minutes at 400°F or until crust is golden brown. Serve warm and drizzle with caramel sauce.

Salty Sweet Lime Bites

This is a quick alternative to a classic key lime pie. It can be put together in minutes, and the crackers provide a salty crunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 packages Ritz crackers
• 2 cans sweetened condensed milk
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 3/4 cup lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until thickened. Place individual liners in a cupcake pan. Sprinkle Ritz crackers followed by a thin layer of pie filling in the bottom of each cupcake liner. Continue alternating layers of crackers and pie filling until each liner is filled. Sprinkle grated lime zest on top and refrigerate overnight.

Chocolate Chip Pie

Like an oversized gooey chocolate chip cookie, this pie is guaranteed to satisfy the sweet tooth of adults and kids alike. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 12 ounces chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon mixture into a 9-inch pie plate and bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly before cutting and serving.

3-Ingredient Apple Pie

Despite its simplicity, this pie is packed with Thanksgiving flavor. It also happens to be vegan.

Ingredients:

• 3 apples
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 4 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Begin by pureeing two apples in a blender until smooth. Add rolled oats and coconut oil to the mixture. Pour mixture in a nine-inch pie plate and cover with thin apple slices. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 425°F for 25 minutes.

5-Ingredient Pumpkin Pie

It’s not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie. There are countless pumpkin pie recipes, but this no-fuss crowd pleaser is perfect for a busy holiday.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz.) of pumpkin purée
• 1 can (14 oz.) of sweetened condensed milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

Combine ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth. Pour mixture into a 9-inch pie crust and bake for 10 minutes at 450°F, then reduce heat to 350°F and continue baking for another 35 minutes. Allow to cool in the fridge overnight.

Concord Grape and Pear Pie

This fruit pie has a rustic elegance and is full of fall flavor that will fit right into any Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Concord grapes
• 5 medium pears, cored and sliced
• 6 ounces granulated sugar
• 1 ounce tapioca or potato starch
• 1 pie shell

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place grapes and pears in a bowl. Whisk sugar and starch together, then gently mix in with the fruit until all pieces are evenly coated. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake for 20 minutes at 425°F, then turn halfway through. Reduce heat to 375°F and bake for another 45-50 minutes until crust is golden brown. Allow pie to cool completely before serving with a generous dollop of whip cream.

Nut-Free Pecan Pie

If you love the flavors and texture of pecan pie but can’t indulge due to food allergies, this nut-free version is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup corn syrup
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups crispy rice cereal

Mix corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, and salt together. Once smooth, gently fold in the cereal, being careful not to crush it. Pour this mixture into a prepared pie crust and bake for 60 minutes at 350°F degrees.

Have plans to visit Welk Resorts during Thanksgiving? If you’d rather be waited on than be stuck in the kitchen, check out our special holiday menus exclusively prepared by our onsite chefs:

San Diego

Date: Thursday, November 23

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Buffet

Price: $39 for adults, $16 for children

Reservations recommended. Call 760.749.3253.

Cabo

Date: Thursday, November 23

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Set menu

Price: $45 per person

Branson

Date: Thursday, November 23

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Buffet

Price: $19.95 for adults, $9.95 for children

Reservations recommended. Call 417.243.1260. Dial 160 if you are staying on property.