by Caroline Weinberg

Pies are an iconic staple to include on your dessert table during the holiday season. They provide the perfect touch of sweetness after a savory meal. There’s a pie for everyone, as the flavors and themes of these classic desserts can fit almost every taste bud preference. Making a delicious pie doesn’t have to be a tedious task, and there are a plethora of pie recipes that are simple to follow!

Mississippi Mud Pie

This rich and decadent chocolate dessert actually has no specific recipe, as it’s meant to be made with a personal interpretation, but it will surely have you sailing through a chocolatey paradise. Because this pie can have ingredients added, there’s various ways to transform this pie into a Christmas treat so good that it will make you believe in Santa Claus again.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup softened butter
• 1 package of instant chocolate mix
• 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
• Toasted chopped pecans and chocolate curls, optional
• Candy canes, optional
• Peppermint flavoring, optional
• Holiday sprinkles, optional

This classic recipe was created by Taste of Home and has been raved about by bakers for a long time. With the total time required coming in at under an hour, this mouth watering pie is a rather simple dessert that allows for personal touches depending on what your taste buds are craving!

Strawberry Pie

This refreshing and fruit-filled pie has one of the most simple and easy to follow recipes. Let’s be real, not everyone wants to consume a thick or sugar filled dessert right after eating a large feast for the holidays, so this light and airy pie will be your new go-to sweet treat!

You’ll need:

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
• ¾ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• 1 package strawberry gelatin
• 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• Whipped cream, optional

There is nothing quite like a pie that makes you feel energized and healthy, all while providing the perfect solution to your dessert longing. Taste of Home once again proves that this recipe will be a major hit in the kitchen this holiday season. With the total time required to make this pie being a mere 35 minutes, you and your family will be able to play a round of Bingo and take jolly Christmas pictures before it’s time to chow down on a perfectly juicy pie!

Blueberry Pie

I can remember the luscious aroma of this pie filling my home when I was a little girl during the holiday break, as my mother prepared to host and bake for our annual Christmas party. As a blueberry fan myself, being able to have one of my favorite fruits incorporated into a succulent pie was heaven on earth! Now, as an adult, I will be following the tradition and joining my mother in creating this fun-filled pie.

You’ll need:

• Frozen blueberries, thawed
• Pie crust
• ⅔ granulated sugar
• Zest of a lemon
• Teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 egg yolk
• Sprinkle of kosher salt

A blueberry pie is hard to mess up and is a usual people pleaser, so there will be no doubt that it will be a fan favorite at the dinner table.

These ingredients usually can be found in every household and are very easy to follow when creating homemade pies. Each recipe contains a very different method to originating a personalized pie that exceeds your expectations, as well as all those who taste it! These pies provide a change from the usual pies that are eaten year round. Maintaining the uniqueness of dessert making, as well as the classic vibe of pies that we all know is a hit for everyone, enjoying these recipes during the holiday season will elevate your experience completely. Baking can truly help bring family and friends together, right in time for the warmth and comfort of the holidays. It all starts with a praiseworthy pie!