Like a blank page, an empty pie crust can be a beautiful—and slightly overwhelming—sight to behold: with so many potential fillings, it’s easy to feel paralyzed by indecision. So to help make holiday menu planning a little easier (and keep the existential panic at bay), we rounded up seven of our best, most fail-safe pie recipes—plus a recipe for the quintessential all-butter crust.
And while this list definitely skews more wintry, we also tossed in a game-changing blueberry slab pie for good measure.
Butter Pie Crust
Debate the merits of lard vs butter all you want: this all-butter crust from Chef Hannah Smith of Camp Lucie and Tilly’s is our go-to base for any pie filling, from custard to apples to berries.
Double Crust Apple Pie
There’s nothing crazy about this double crust apple pie (also from Chef Smith), but in its simplicity lies its deliciousness. For a true “cartoon pie” slice, Chef Smith recommends letting the pie sit out on your proverbial cottage windowsill to cool for a full 24 hours—if you can resist it that long.
Chocolate Rye Pecan Pie
This pie from New Waterloo’s Amanda Rockman is a doozy—a delicious, project recipe of a doozy. Not only does Rockman add cocoa powder to the pie dough itself, but she also creates a smoky vanilla whipped cream for dolloping on top. Note that this recipe requires a few specialty ingredients—smoked vanilla extract and rye whiskey, for two—so if you want something a little more pantry-friendly, check out our bourbon pecan slab pie recipe instead.
Claire Saffitz’s Classic Apple Crumble Pie
With its oatmeal cookie-like topping, this apple crumble pie from our favorite dessert person, Claire Saffitz, comes together much more quickly than a double crusted or latticed version version—and disappears just as fast.
Bourbon Pecan Slab Pie
This is a slightly more traditional, yet no less perfect, pecan pie for you to serve at your upcoming holiday celebration. Culinary Creative Director Rhoda Boone sweetens the filling with cane syrup instead of corn syrup for a toastier, more complex flavor profile that tastes like the best of winter in a bite.
Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake with Cold Brew Whipped Cream
A crown of cold brew-sweetened whipped cream helps balance out this otherwise outrageously rich, sweet pie combining two of our favorite desserts from Eberly Pastry Chef Sarah Seghi.
Blueberry Slab Pie
Frozen blueberries are an ingenious product: not only are they easy to keep on hand, but they also make peak-season fruit available year-round—even in the dead of winter. We make good use of them in this slab pie recipe from Claire Saffitz, made with a classic all-butter crust.
Apple Quince Streusel Slab Pie
Yes, there are already two apple pies in this roundup—but this one from Chef Nancy Silverton is unique enough to merit an additional spot. Not only is this a slab-style pie, meaning it feeds more people (and has a slightly higher ratio of streusel to filling), but it’s also got tart, citrusty quince in there along with the apples.
Ready to Cook?
A homemade pie is a true labor of love—which is why we think you should use the very best bakeware you can find. Both our Baking Slab and Pie Dish are made with thermal shock-resistant French porcelain that heats slowly and evenly, helping your crust bake up perfectly flaky and tender every time.
