The Best 50 Holiday Pie Recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Why You’ll Love These Holiday Pie Recipes: If you’re looking for the best holiday pie recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas, grab your rolling pin because you’ve come to the right place! I’ve gathered my favorite pie recipes from classic Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie to festive fruit pies, decadent chocolate pies, creamy custard pies, and the Traditional Irish Mince Pies I grew up eating at Christmas.

• All your holiday pies in one place: Find my best Thanksgiving pies, Christmas pies, and festive favorites without having to search through dozens of individual recipes.
• Thanksgiving classics: Choose from traditional Thanksgiving pies like pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, and apple.
• Festive Christmas favorites: From traditional mince pies to cranberry, chocolate, and creamy pies, there are plenty of delicious pies for Christmas.
• Something for everyone: Choose from fruit-filled, chocolate, custard, nut, and cream pie recipes.
• Easy and make-ahead options: I’ve included easy holiday pies and plenty of options you can prepare in advance to make holiday entertaining easier.
• Tried-and-tested recipes: These are recipes I’ve developed and tested to help you bake confidently for family and friends during the busiest baking season of the year.

As a professional baker, I’ve learned that the best holiday dessert table isn’t about making as many desserts as possible—it’s about having the right mix. I like to serve a familiar classic alongside a fruit-forward pie and something rich or creamy. Whenever possible, I also choose great make-ahead recipes, so I’m not trying to bake everything on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

Table of Contents

• How to Choose Pies for Your Holiday Dessert Table
• Classic Thanksgiving Pies
• Christmas Pies & Festive Favorites
• Apple & Fruit Pies for the Holidays
• Chocolate & Decadent Holiday Pies
• Cream & Custard Pies
• Easy & Make-Ahead Holiday Pie Tips
• Holiday Pie FAQs

How to Choose Pies for Your Holiday Dessert Table

With so many holiday pie ideas to choose from, I recommend serving pies with different flavors and textures rather than several versions of the same thing. My ideal holiday pie table has a classic pie, a fruit pie, and a rich or creamy pie.

For Thanksgiving, Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie are obvious favorites, while Apple Pie and Sweet Potato Pie give you more traditional Thanksgiving dessert options.

Christmas is the perfect opportunity to bring out traditional Mince Pies, cranberries, chocolate, Irish whiskey, and other festive flavors. If you’re looking for Christmas dessert ideas, don’t feel limited to traditional Christmas pies—a beautiful chocolate, fruit, or cream pie can be just as festive.

And don’t forget the size of your gathering. Individual pies are lovely for smaller celebrations and parties, while a slab pie is one of my favorite holiday desserts for a crowd.

Classic Thanksgiving Pies

Looking for the best pies for Thanksgiving? Start here. These Thanksgiving pie recipes include traditional pumpkin, pecan, apple, and sweet potato flavors along with a few Bigger Bolder Baking twists on the classics.

Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe

My classic homemade Pumpkin Pie has a flaky pastry crust and smooth, perfectly spiced pumpkin filling. It’s one of the most traditional Thanksgiving pies and a recipe everyone looks forward to year after year.

Best Ever Pecan Pie

A classic Pecan Pie with a rich, gooey filling and plenty of crunchy pecans makes an irresistible addition to Thanksgiving dinner.

Perfect Pumpkin Pecan Pie

Can’t decide between two of the most popular pumpkin pie recipes and pecan pie recipes? This holiday pie combines creamy pumpkin filling on the bottom with sweet, crunchy pecan filling on top.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

My Petite Pumpkin Pies have a creamy maple-pumpkin filling tucked into crisp, buttery phyllo. These easy individual mini pies are made in a muffin tin, so they’re perfect for holiday parties and easy serving.

Mile-High Sweet Potato Pie

A gorgeous alternative to pumpkin pie, my Sweet Potato Pie gets its showstopping finish from a towering layer of fluffy meringue.

American Buttermilk Pecan Pie

This twist on classic pecan pie adds buttermilk for a creamier filling and subtle tang that balances the sweetness.

The Incredible Pumpkin Slab Pie

Feeding a crowd? This giant Pumpkin Slab Pie gives you everything you love about classic pumpkin pie in a format that’s perfect for a big Thanksgiving group and other large holiday gatherings.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie

A gluten-free version of the Thanksgiving classic means even more guests can enjoy homemade Pumpkin Pie.

Pumpkin Cream Pie Recipe

For something lighter than traditional pumpkin pie, this creamy version delivers plenty of pumpkin flavor in a luscious chilled filling.

Microwave Mug Pies: Pumpkin, Apple & Pecan

Want the flavors of classic Thanksgiving pies without making an entire pie? These individual microwave versions give you pumpkin, apple, and pecan in minutes.

Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Pie

Classic pumpkin pie gets a chocolatey twist with a beautiful swirl of rich chocolate throughout the creamy, warmly spiced pumpkin filling. It’s an easy way to give a Thanksgiving favorite something extra.

Pecan Tassies

Think of these bite-sized treats as mini pecan pies, with a buttery pastry shell and sweet, nutty pecan filling. Their individual size makes them especially handy for holiday parties and dessert tables.

Christmas Pies & Festive Favorites

Looking for the best pies for Christmas? These Christmas pie recipes range from traditional Irish Mince Pies to cranberry, chocolate, and rich, festive desserts worthy of Christmas dinner.

Traditional Irish Mince Pies

These Traditional Irish Mince Pies are especially close to my heart. Growing up in Ireland, mince pies were a staple at our Christmas gatherings, and I continue that tradition with my own family today. If you’re looking for traditional Christmas pies, start here.

Mum’s Mince Pies with Coconut Topping

My mum’s variation tops traditional mince pies with coconut for an extra-special Christmas treat and a taste of my childhood holidays in Ireland.

Blueberry Cranberry Pie

Tart cranberries make this fruit pie recipe perfect for the holiday season, while its beautiful decorative crust makes it worthy of the Christmas table.

Butterscotch Pie with Irish Whiskey 

Rich butterscotch and Irish whiskey make this an especially festive Christmas dessert—and something a little different from traditional American holiday pies.

French Silk Pie

This luxurious chocolate pie has an incredibly smooth, mousse-like filling, buttery crust, billowy whipped cream, and plenty of holiday wow factor.

No-Bake Hot Chocolate Pie

Turn a favorite winter drink into dessert with this rich, creamy Hot Chocolate Pie. It’s also an easy holiday pie when you don’t want another dessert taking up valuable oven space.

No-Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Pie

White chocolate and raspberry give this no-bake pie a beautiful color and a festive sweet-tart flavor combination for Christmas.

Pecan Fudge Pie

For anyone who believes Christmas requires chocolate, this decadent chocolate pecan pie combines two holiday favorites: rich chocolate fudge and crunchy pecans.

Orange Tart Recipe

Bright, fresh citrus flavor makes this elegant Orange Tart a refreshing finish after a rich Christmas dinner. Oranges are at their best in winter, making this a naturally festive addition to your holiday baking.

French Walnut-Caramel Tart

Buttery walnuts and rich caramel come together in this elegant French tart. It’s a wonderful Christmas alternative to traditional pecan pie and an impressive addition to a holiday dessert table.

The Whole Lemon Tart

Made with an entire lemon—peel and all—this creamy, sweet-tart dessert brings bright winter citrus flavor to your Christmas table. Better yet, you can make it up to two days ahead.

Apple & Fruit Pies for the Holidays

Don’t overlook fruit pie recipes when planning your holiday menu. Apples, pears, and cranberries are right at home on Thanksgiving and Christmas tables and provide a welcome contrast to richer pumpkin, chocolate, and cream pies.

Best Apple Pie Recipe

You can’t go wrong with a classic homemade Apple Pie filled with tender apples and warm spice inside flaky pastry. It’s one of my essential apple pie recipes for the holiday season.

Caramel Apple Pie

Take classic apple pie one step further with rich caramel for an extra-indulgent holiday dessert.

Apple Cheddar Pie

Sharp cheddar adds a savory contrast to sweet apples in this classic flavor combination that’s ideal for anyone looking for something different.

Classic Irish Apple Tart Recipe (4 Ingredients)

My Irish Apple Tart brings one of my favorite tastes of home to the holiday table with tender apples tucked inside homemade pastry.

Cranberry Orange Crumb Tart

My sweet-tart Cranberry Orange Crumb Tart combines a flaky pie crust with a jammy cranberry-orange filling and buttery cinnamon crumble with brown sugar. Its bright seasonal flavors make it a refreshing finish to a rich Thanksgiving or Christmas meal.

Flaky and Easy Pear Pie

Sweet pears make a beautiful alternative to apple pie and give your holiday dessert table another seasonal fruit option.

Pear Butterscotch Pie

Pears and rich butterscotch come together in a pie that feels special enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Make-Ahead Apple Pie

Take some pressure off holiday baking with this classic Apple Pie you can prepare ahead of time. It gives you all the comforting apples, warm spice, and flaky pastry you want without leaving everything until Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

Elegant Pear & Frangipane Tart

Tender pears and rich almond frangipane make this beautiful tart look and taste extra special. Seasonal pears and an elegant presentation make it a natural choice for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Lemon Blueberry Pie

Juicy blueberries and bright lemon make this fruit pie a lighter contrast to rich pumpkin, pecan, and chocolate desserts. Its fresh sweet-tart flavor is perfect when you want more variety on the holiday table.

Rhubarb Pie Recipe

Tart rhubarb tucked inside flaky pastry gives this fruit pie a bold sweet-tart flavor. Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a simple alternative to richer holiday pies.

Easy Peach Tart

Juicy peaches and crisp pastry make this easy fruit tart a simple crowd-pleaser. It’s a good choice when you want a lighter fruit dessert alongside heavier holiday favorites.

Caramel Apple Tarte Tatin

Caramelized apples and buttery pastry turn this classic French upside-down tart into a showstopping holiday dessert. It delivers familiar apple-pie flavors in an impressive presentation.

Peach Hand Pies

These individual Peach Hand Pies wrap juicy fruit filling inside golden pastry for a fun alternative to a slice from a full-size peach pie. They’re especially easy to serve at holiday parties and larger gatherings.

Chocolate & Decadent Holiday Pies

A holiday pie roundup needs something for the chocolate lovers! These rich chocolate pie recipes are ideal when you want an indulgent alternative to pumpkin, pecan, and fruit pies.

Chocolate Chess Pie

This deeply chocolatey spin on traditional Chess Pie has a rich filling that’s simple enough to make but decadent enough for a holiday.

Chocolate Pudding Pie

A crisp crust, silky chocolate pudding, and creamy topping make this a crowd-pleasing contrast to fruit and pumpkin pies.

5-Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Pie 

With only five ingredients and no baking required, this is one of my favorite easy holiday pies for adding an impressive chocolate dessert to a busy holiday menu.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie 

Part cookie, part pie, this dessert is a fun alternative when your guests want something other than the traditional pumpkin and pecan lineup.

Dark Chocolate Tart

A crisp Biscoff cookie crust filled with silky dark chocolate ganache makes this tart rich, elegant, and surprisingly simple. It’s a showstopping choice for chocolate lovers at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Pear & Chocolate Frangipane Tart

Seasonal pears, rich chocolate, and nutty almond frangipane come together in this sophisticated tart. It’s especially suited to fall and winter entertaining and gives you both fruit and chocolate in one impressive dessert.

Cream & Custard Pies

Silky cream pie recipes and custard pie recipes bring a completely different texture to the holiday dessert table. Many are also excellent choices when you want desserts you can prepare in advance.

Classic Chess Pie

This Southern classic has a simple, sweet custard-like filling baked in a flaky crust.

Irresistible Buttermilk Pie

Tangy buttermilk balances the sweetness of the smooth custard filling for a simple but elegant holiday dessert.

Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier Pie)

Rich, creamy, and comforting, this traditional pie is made from simple ingredients and makes a wonderful addition to a classic holiday spread.

15-Minute Coconut Cream Pie

When oven space is at a premium, this quick Coconut Cream Pie is an especially useful addition to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu.

Southern Egg Custard Pie

This old-fashioned pie keeps things simple with a smooth, delicately flavored custard filling.

15-Minute Banana Cream Pie

A quick, creamy option for anyone looking for a break from the heavier traditional holiday flavors.

Maple Syrup Pie

Sweet maple flavor makes this creamy pie feel right at home alongside the warm, rich flavors of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Easy & Make-Ahead Holiday Pie Tips

Holiday baking is much easier when you don’t leave every dessert until the last minute. Here are my best tips for planning easy and make-ahead holiday pies.

• Make your pie crust ahead. Homemade pie dough is one of the easiest things to cross off your holiday baking list early. Prepare it ahead and refrigerate or freeze it until you’re ready to bake. Much better than store-bought pie crusts!
• Choose at least one make-ahead pie. Chilled chocolate, cream, and custard pies can take pressure off the big day. Always check the individual recipe for specific make-ahead and storage instructions.
• Think about oven space. If the turkey or Christmas dinner needs the oven, add a no-bake pie to your menu or bake suitable pies the day before.
• Mix your textures and flavors. Instead of serving three rich custard pies, pair a traditional pumpkin or pecan pie with a fruit pie and a creamy or chocolate option.
• Save decorating for later when possible. Whipped cream and other final garnishes can often be added shortly before serving so your pies look their best.
• Bake for the number of guests you’re actually serving. Individual pies work beautifully for smaller gatherings, while slab pies are one of the easiest holiday desserts for a crowd.

Holiday Pie FAQs

What are the most popular pies for Thanksgiving?

Pumpkin, pecan, apple, and sweet potato are among the classic Thanksgiving pies. If I’m serving several desserts, I like to offer different flavors and textures—for example, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, and a rich Pecan or Chocolate Pie.

What are the best pies for Christmas?

Traditional Mince Pies are a Christmas favorite in Ireland and the UK, while apple, cranberry, chocolate, cream, and pecan pies are all delicious choices for a Christmas dessert table. The best Christmas pies are the ones that complement the rest of your holiday menu and give your guests a good variety.

What is a traditional Christmas pie?

In Ireland and the UK, mince pies are one of the most traditional Christmas baked goods. They’re small pastry pies filled with sweet, spiced mincemeat made with dried fruit and warm spices.

How many pies do I need for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

A standard 9-inch pie generally serves around eight people, although serving sizes vary by recipe. If you’re serving several holiday desserts, guests will often take smaller slices so they can try more than one.

Can I use lard to make pie crust?

Yes. Lard makes an exceptionally flaky, tender pie crust because it has a higher melting point than butter, helping the fat stay solid longer as the pastry bakes. You can use lard in place of some or all of the butter in many pie crust recipes. Keep it cold, just as you would butter, and for the best flavor and flakiest results, use leaf lard, a mild, high-quality lard traditionally prized for pastry.

Can I make holiday pies ahead of time?

Absolutely. Pie dough can be made well in advance, and many baked, custard, cream, and no-bake pies can also be prepared ahead. Always follow the make-ahead and storage instructions for the individual recipe because the ideal timing varies depending on the filling.

Can I freeze holiday pies?

Many pies, pie crusts, and individual components freeze very well, making them useful make-ahead holiday desserts. However, freezing instructions vary considerably by filling, so follow the directions given with each recipe.

What pies should I serve together?

For the best holiday dessert table, vary the flavors and textures. I like pairing one traditional pie such as pumpkin or pecan with a seasonal fruit pie and one rich chocolate or creamy option.

What can I serve with holiday pie?

You can’t go wrong with lightly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Depending on the pie, caramel sauce, crème fraîche, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar can also make the perfect finishing touch.