There are a lot of positive things to look forward to during the holidays—time with friends and family (even if it’s socially distanced or virtual), gift giving, holiday dinner, Christmas carols—the list could go on and on. But, let’s be honest…one of the best things about the holidays is the various array of desserts and sweets! And nothing beats a delicious holiday pie. So, we’ve put together some of our favorite holiday pie recipes — but with a unique, nontraditional twist.
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Apple Pie
Nothing is more traditional than a warm apple pie. But, have you ever tried an apple galette, hand pie, or a twist on the old favorite? Here are some apple pie recipes to try at your next holiday gathering:
Salted Caramel Honeycrisp Apple Pie
What happens when you combine three of the best ingredients — honeycrisp apples, salted caramel, and a delicious, flaky pie crust? You get this mouth-watering holiday pie recipe from Inspired By Charm!
A new twist on and old favorite, these individual hand pies are the perfect dessert for a socially distanced holiday gathering—everyone gets there own!
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Apple Pie Dip
Instead of going through all the fuss of a traditional pie, why not try this deconstructed pie recipe from Cookies & Cups — apple pie dip with pie crust chips. Yum!
Another traditional holiday pie recipe is the pecan pie. Seriously, why do we only eat this during the holidays, because it is delicious! But, have you ever tried a vegan pecan pie or pecan muffins? Here are some nontraditional (yet still delicious!) pecan pie recipes to try at your next holiday gathering:
Need an excuse to have dessert for breakfast? Try this pecan pie muffin recipe from Cookies & Cups — all the flavors of a pecan pie, but in a sweet, baked muffin!
The ultimate holiday treat, but made with all plant-based or vegan ingredients. This recipe from Connoisseurus Veg is sure to be delicious for ALL your holiday guests.
Love the taste of pecan pie, but don’t want to go through all the trouble of making one from scratch? These pecan pie cookies from The Candid Appetite will save the day! And the best part? No baking required!
One more traditional holiday pie — the pumpkin pie. But, there are so many ways to update this classic, such as adding chocolate, making it a mousse, or using vegan ingredients! Here are some unique pumpkin pie recipes to try this year:
This super easy, no-bake, whipped pumpkin dip recipe will be the hit at your next holiday get-together. Delicious ginger snap cookies give this recipe a sweet and spicy flavor.
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Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Pie
How do you take a classic holiday pie recipe and make it better? Why, add chocolate, of course! This chocolate swirl pumpkin pie recipe from Healthy Seasonal Recipes is delicious and also healthier with a whole-wheat crust, maple sweetener, and even gluten free option.
We’ve covered three of the most popular and traditional holiday pies, but there are still a few that we just had to mention! Looking to try something different this season? Here are some unique holiday pie recipes to try this year:
Eggnog Cloud Pie
The flavor profiles of eggnog in a decadent pie? This recipe from Life Currents is a holiday dream come true!
This tart recipe from Delight Fuel looks divine, but is actually easy to make! And to make things even better, this recipe is vegetarian and gluten free!
Do you love a sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows? Yeah, us too! This recipe from Handle the Heat takes the classic flavors from a sweet potato side dish and turns it into a delicious dessert.
So many holiday pie recipes, so little time! Which one will you try this year?
Kim Dow
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Kim is the owner and publisher of Sass Magazine, as well as the owner of Sass Studios, a boutique graphic design studio in Frederick, MD. When not in the office, Kim can be found doing some of her favorite hobbies—reading a book, dancing, traveling, or playing with her rescued pitbull.
Unsurprisingly, the most popular occasions for enjoying pie during the winter are the two major tentpoles of the holiday season, Thanksgiving (46%) and Christmas (41%).
It's the greatest gift to yourself—creamy, smooth custard nestled in a flaky, buttery crust glazed with sugar and topped with rainbow sprinkles. There are 260 calories in McDonald's Holiday Pie. Order yours today from our full menu in the app using contactless Mobile Order & Pay* with Curbside pickup.
McDonald's Holiday Pies Return To Select Markets For The 2023 Holiday Season (So far, they have been spotted at select restaurants in Mobile, AL; New York, NY; Dayton, Marion and Springfield, OH; Fresno, CA; and Vancouver, WA)
The first written reference to a Roman pie is for a rye dough that was filled with a mixture of goat's cheese and honey. The 1st-century Roman cookbook Apicius makes various mentions of recipes which involve a pie case.
Apple pie is arguably one of the most popular pie flavors. A symbol of America, the apple pie was actually invented by the British. Apple pie is simply made with sliced apples on double-crusted pastry dough.
Google Trends data collected since November 2022 shows that the pies most searched for in the U.S. are pumpkin pie, apple pie, sweet potato pie, pecan pie and cranberry pie.
And then there's the long forgotten fried apple pie at McDonald's, which made the switch to baked in 1992 due to health reasons and has tasted inferior ever since. Unless you're over 40 and/or live in Hawaii (more on that soon), you've probably never tasted a McDonald's fried apple pie.
Many pie fillings are made with a processed thickening agent that keeps the filling jelly-like and in place. But McDonald's uses a dehydrated apple powder. The powder not only thickens the filling, but it also adds that extra apple taste that you love.
One major change to the apple pie is that, unlike when it first came out, it's no longer fried. In 1992, McDonald's switched from frying its apple pies to baking them to quell health concerns. Today, nearly every McDonald's in America serves baked apple pies that are somewhat "healthier" than the beloved fried version.
McDonald's USA told Eat This, Not That! that the Strawberry & Crème Pie is only available regionally in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City for a limited time. fast-food chain has reissued it as a limited-edition. Media reports say it was last accessible in spring 2023.
Since being released, fans have seen it popping up all across the U.S. If you live in New York, New England, Illinois, Ohio, California, Texas, or Oregon, you may be able to find the Holiday Pie at your local McDonald's.
Public opinion started to lean away from fried food and more toward baked, so McDonald's switched to a baked version in 1992. The new version was undoubtedly healthier, though many longtime fans insist that the old flaky, crispy crust was tastier.
The Ancient Egyptians created the first example of what we know as pies today. Later on, closer to the 5th Century BC, the Ancient Greeks were believed to invent pie pastry as it is mentioned in the plays of the writer Aristophanes and it was possible to work as a pastry chef in this era, a separate trade to a baker.
The first recorded cookbook that is still in print today is Of Culinary Matters (originally, De Re Coquinaria), written by Apicius, in fourth century AD Rome. It contains more than 500 recipes, including many with Indian spices.
While pumpkin pie reigns supreme in the majority of American households, sweet potato pie is still the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert in the South.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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