Thanksgiving Pies

Are you really going to run to a store and buy pies for Thanksgiving? Well, ok... there are some great bakeries out there. And I admit that if you are cooking the entire dinner, then store-bought pies are a great option. But if you are having a collaborative meal, instead of volunteering to bring the candied yams, green bean casserole, or mashed potatoes, you can bring some of these delicious pies, and really impress your friends and family.

First, start with Never-Fail Pie crust. You can use recipes that require you to grate and freeze the butter, use lard, or whatever, and they work great and take a bit of skill. But why bother with all that, when the Never-Fail Pie Crust recipe is so much easier? Make a triple batch, then bake some one-crust shells for your strawberry pie, mousse pies, or cream pies. Refrigerate leftover pie crust until you are ready to make some more pies.

The Thanksgiving traditionalists out there will all need to make Pumpkin Pie with this recipe that will make two pies.

This will be the most beautiful pie on the table: a fresh Strawberry Pie. This pie is so easy, and so delicious. Make it the day before Thanksgiving, and let the kids lick out the pan.

Here's a yummy Caramel Apple Pie recipe that beats a normal apple pie hands-down. Wow! is this pie good.

Are children coming to dinner? A chocolate mousse made into a pie will disappear in a flash. And maybe some of the adults will be lucky enough to get a piece of the pie.

If you're a little more ambitious, then try making some Cream Pies with Variations. One simple base will produce Coconut Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie,  Chocolate Cream Pie, German Chocolate Cream Pie, and more!

Why does it have to be a pie, anyway? How about a wonderful Lime-Almond Cheesecake? Plus you can make this several days or a week in advance, and it will age into even more deliciousness. The only drawback is that you are not likely to have leftover cheesecake.