Our 23 Best Pie Recipes From Traditional to Modern
By Megan Soll Passaro
A great pie brings people together — each slice a shared piece of joy, sweetness, and comfort. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, our collection of pie recipes has something for everyone. From classic desserts like apple and pumpkin pie to modern twists on traditional flavors, these pies are sure to impress.
No Matter the Season, Pie is Always in Style
No matter the season or the month, pie recipes are made to bake and share with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Even the best pie recipes for beginners are some of the most timeless you’ll ever learn (we’re looking at you, apple pie). From banana pudding to sweet potato honey pie, or summery strawberry to Boston cream pie, these are the flavors to enjoy year-round.
Timeless Classics and Delicious Riffs
Our collection includes plenty of classics plus delicious riffs you’ll want to make again and again. Pull out your favorite ice cream or whipped cream topping, grab some seasonal fruit, and let’s get baking. Here are our top 23 pie recipes to try:
01. Espresso Martini Pie
This decadent dessert version of the Espresso Martini gets its kick from instant espresso powder and Kahlúa coffee liqueur throughout the pie layers. Get the recipe and indulge in this rich and creamy dessert.
02. Lemon Meringue Pie with Marcona Shortbread Crust
In Ann Taylor Pittman’s beloved recipe, a shortbread crust studded with salty, crunchy bits of toasted Marcona almonds holds an assertively lemony filling, all topped with a creamy, dense Italian meringue. Get the recipe and experience the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
03. Chocolate Chess Pie
Nicole Hopper’s chocolate-filled chess pie features bittersweet chocolate and cocoa powder for complexity, along with espresso powder and bourbon for wonderful depth. Get the recipe and satisfy your chocolate cravings.
04. Banana Pudding Pie
Recipe tester and developer Anna Theoktisto brings us this creamy, dreamy banana pudding pie, complete with a from-scratch vanilla pudding and two layers of banana. Get the recipe and enjoy a classic Southern dessert.
05. Grilled S’mores Pie
Recipe developer and food stylist Ali Ramee reinvents the childhood summertime treat with a grilled pie made with a graham cracker crust, a chocolate ganache filling, and melty toasted marshmallows. Get the recipe and bring the campfire to your kitchen.
06. Chocolate Pecan Pie with Bourbon
This pie from pastry chef David Lebovitz features an all-butter piecrust and a chocolate chip-studded bourbon-infused pecan filling. The bitter chocolate balances the sweet filling wonderfully. Get the recipe and indulge in a rich and indulgent dessert.
07. Sweet Potato Honey Beer Pie
Complex autumnal flavors abound in this sweet potato pie from Nik Sharma. Dark beer and honey meet turmeric, ginger, and cardamom for lovely sweet-meets-spiced notes. Get the recipe and experience the perfect fall dessert.
08. Georgia Peach Pie
A high baking temp helps create the perfectly crispy crust in this delectable peach pie. A bourbon-kissed whipped cream adds a lovely rich finish to each bite. Get the recipe and enjoy a taste of the South.
09. Sour Cherry Pie
Make the most of sour cherry season with this beautiful pie from Anna Theoktisto. Almond notes complement the fruit-forward cherries, and a frangipane adds a custard quality to the filling. Get the recipe and indulge in a sweet and tangy dessert.
10. Lemony Sumac Pie with Ritz Cracker Crust
In this no-bake summer pie from pastry chef Paola Velez, Ritz crackers make a salty, crumbly base for the puckery lemon and sumac curd filling. Get the recipe and experience the perfect summer dessert.
11. Black-and-Blue Pie with Brown Sugar Crumb
Pastry chef Nicole Rucker achieves a perfectly juicy pie filling by crushing just a handful of the berries. This recipe calls for huckleberries and blackberries, although you could also try it with any brambleberries and blueberries. Get the recipe and indulge in a sweet and satisfying dessert.
12. Tangy Key Lime Pie
This airy, fluffy version of Key lime pie is light rather than dense, and the filling feels more like a mousse than a rich custard. Adorn the pie with freshly whipped cream and lime zest strips for a delicate finish. Get the recipe and experience the perfect tropical dessert.
13. Mountain Rose Apple Pie
This take on apple pie turns more toward an apple crumble, with a buttery, crispy crumble of oats and brown sugar. It’s just as good for breakfast as it is for dessert. Get the recipe and enjoy a classic dessert with a twist.
14. Classic Pumpkin Pie
When nothing but a tried-and-true pie will do, enjoy Grace Parisi’s classic pumpkin pie. An all-butter pie dough and spiced pumpkin filling make for a timeless tradition done right. Get the recipe and experience the perfect fall dessert.
15. Boston Cream Pie
Pastry chef and award-winning food writer Stella Parks makes a Boston cream pie with a delicate, sweet pastry cream filling, a classic sponge cake, and a topping of drizzly chocolate ganache. Get the recipe and indulge in a classic dessert.
16. Tiramisu Icebox Pie
This reinvented tiramisu comes to us from pastry chef Mathew Rice in the form of a classic icebox cake. Layers of crumbly crust and fluffy mousse make for a satisfying, refreshing dessert. Get the recipe and experience the perfect Italian dessert.
17. Deep-Dish All-American Cinnamon Apple Pie
Pastry legend Rose Levy Beranbaum brings us this full-bodied apple pie recipe. In it, macerated apples bring intensely juicy flavors, and the macerated liquid is cooked down into a marvelous syrup for the filling. Get the recipe and indulge in a classic American dessert.
18. Double-Crust Apple Pie
The most famous of the traditional double-crust pies, apple pie can be topped with a lattice design or a complete pastry cover. It can be made using different apple varieties for different flavor profiles, and it’s perfect served à la mode. Get the recipe and experience a classic dessert.
19. Cherry-Berry Pie
Cherry pie is a cornerstone of summer desserts, and the lattice design makes it one of the prettiest additions to any feast. Pastry chef Paula Haney of Hoosier Mama Pie Company provides this version with pitted sweet cherries, raspberries, and blueberries. Get the recipe and indulge in a sweet summer dessert.
20. Strawberry Slab Pie
Joanne Chang’s strawberry slab pie boasts a buttery crust and a sweet, jammy filling. It’s a showstopping dessert for summer and beyond. Get the recipe and indulge in a sweet and satisfying dessert.
21. Creamy Peanut Butter Pie
This sweet-salty layered peanut butter pie will satisfy both peanut butter and whipped cream lovers. Get the recipe and indulge in a creamy and indulgent dessert.
22. Banana Cream Pie
This is food historian Joyce White’s favorite cream pie, and here, we enjoy its rum-spiked custard, layers of banana slices, and topping of whipped cream with white chocolate curls. Get the recipe and indulge in a classic dessert.
23. Coconut Cream Pie
Another summer staple, this fluffy, custard-filled pie from pastry chef Kierin Baldwin is a tropical-flavored treat. Every part of the dessert contains coconut: the crust, the filling, and the topping. Get the recipe and indulge in a sweet and refreshing dessert.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our collection of the best pie recipes from traditional to modern. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these pies are sure to bring joy and satisfaction to your gatherings and celebrations.
What is the focus of the article?
The focus of the article is on a collection of 23 pie recipes ranging from traditional to modern that are suitable for bakers of all skill levels.
What can readers expect to find in the recipe collection?
Readers can expect to find a variety of pie recipes, including both classic desserts and modern twists on traditional flavors.
Are there any pie recipes appropriate for specific seasons?
Yes, there are recipes suitable for different seasons, such as sweet potato honey beer pie for fall and coconut cream pie for summer.
Are there any seasonal fruit pies mentioned in the recipes?
Yes, the article mentions recipes for sour cherry pie using sour cherries and strawberry slab pie using strawberries.
What is the unique feature of the Espresso Martini Pie?
The Espresso Martini Pie includes layers flavored with instant espresso powder and Kahlúa coffee liqueur, giving it a rich and creamy texture.
Who developed the Lemon Meringue Pie with Marcona Shortbread Crust?
Ann Taylor Pittman developed the Lemon Meringue Pie with Marcona Shortbread Crust, known for its perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
What makes the Chocolate Chess Pie unique?
The Chocolate Chess Pie by Nicole Hopper uses bittersweet chocolate, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and bourbon to create a complex, yet wonderfully balanced pie.
How is the Banana Pudding Pie prepared?
The Banana Pudding Pie, prepared by Anna Theoktisto, uses from-scratch vanilla pudding and two layers of banana for a creamy, dreamy texture.
What is special about the Grilled S’mores Pie?
The Grilled S’mores Pie, developed by Ali Ramee, is a grilled pie with a graham cracker crust, chocolate ganache filling, and melty toasted marshmallows, bringing the campfire experience to the kitchen.
What is distinctive about the Chocolate Pecan Pie with Bourbon?
The Chocolate Pecan Pie with Bourbon, by pastry chef David Lebovitz, features bitter chocolate balanced by a sweet filling infused with bourbon.
Can the Sweet Potato Honey Beer Pie be considered a fall dessert?
Yes, the Sweet Potato Honey Beer Pie from Nik Sharma is considered a perfect fall dessert due to its complex autumnal flavors of dark beer, honey, turmeric, ginger, and cardamom.
What makes the Georgia Peach Pie unique?
The Georgia Peach Pie from Anna Theoktisto features a high baking temperature for a crispy crust and includes a bourbon-kissed whipped cream for a rich finish.
What is special about the Sour Cherry Pie?
The Sour Cherry Pie, prepared by Anna Theoktisto, includes almond notes to complement the fruit-forward cherries and features a frangipane that adds a custard quality to the filling.
What makes the Lemony Sumac Pie a suitable summer dessert?
The Lemony Sumac Pie, developed by pastry chef Paola Velez, is a no-bake summer pie with Ritz crackers as the crust and lemon and sumac curd as the filling.
What is the key ingredient in the Black-and-Blue Pie with Brown Sugar Crumb?
The Black-and-Blue Pie with Brown Sugar Crumb, by pastry chef Nicole Rucker, uses huckleberries and blackberries, which can be substituted with any brambleberries and blueberries for a perfectly juicy pie filling.
What makes the Tangy Key Lime Pie unique?
The Tangy Key Lime Pie, light and fluffy with a mousse-like filling, features a delicate finish of freshly whipped cream and lime zest strips, making it the perfect tropical dessert.
What is special about the Mountain Rose Apple Pie?
The Mountain Rose Apple Pie turns towards an apple crumble with a buttery, crispy crumble of oats and brown sugar, making it good for both breakfast and dessert.
Who created the Classic Pumpkin Pie?
The Classic Pumpkin Pie, created by Grace Parisi, uses an all-butter pie dough and spiced pumpkin filling for a timeless tradition.
What makes the Boston Cream Pie special?
The Boston Cream Pie, by pastry chef and award-winning food writer Stella Parks, includes a delicate pastry cream filling, a classic sponge cake, and a topping of drizzled chocolate ganache.
What makes the Tiramisu Icebox Pie unique?
The Tiramisu Icebox Pie, developed by pastry chef Mathew Rice, is a reinvented tiramisu in the form of a classic icebox cake, featuring layers of crumbly crust and fluffy mousse.
What makes the Deep-Dish All-American Cinnamon Apple Pie notable?
The Deep-Dish All-American Cinnamon Apple Pie, by pastry legend Rose Levy Beranbaum, includes macerated apples cooked down into a marvelous syrup for the filling, providing intense, juicy flavors.
What is unique about the Double-Crust Apple Pie?
The Double-Crust Apple Pie, the most famous traditional pie, can be served either with a lattice design or a complete pastry cover, allowing for different apple varieties and serving styles.
What are the ingredients in the Cherry-Berry Pie?
The Cherry-Berry Pie, provided by pastry chef Paula Haney of Hoosier Mama Pie Company, includes pitted sweet cherries, raspberries, and blueberries, with a lattice design.
What distinguishes the Strawberry Slab Pie as a showstopping dessert?
The Strawberry Slab Pie by Joanne Chang, boasts a buttery crust and a sweet, jammy filling, making it a showstopping dessert for summer and beyond.
Is the Creamy Peanut Butter Pie a suitable dessert for peanut butter and whipped cream lovers?
Yes, the Creamy Peanut Butter Pie, a sweet-salty layered pie developed by an unnamed pastry chef, is perfect for those who love peanut butter and whipped cream.
What makes the Banana Cream Pie a favorite?
The Banana Cream Pie, favored by food historian Joyce White, includes a rum-spiked custard, layers of banana, and a topping of whipped cream with white chocolate curls.
What is the distinctive flavor of the Coconut Cream Pie?
The Coconut Cream Pie, by pastry chef Kierin Baldwin, is a tropical-flavored treat with coconut in the crust, filling, and topping.
