20 Pies So Good, Even Grandma Would Ask For The Recipe
There’s something magical about pie that connects us to our roots and brings comfort with every bite. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or somewhere in between, these homemade pie recipes will transport you to flavor heaven.
I’ve collected 20 extraordinary pie recipes that might just make Grandma a little jealous of your baking skills!
1. Classic Apple Pie with Caramel Drizzle
Golden, buttery crust embracing cinnamon-spiced apples creates pure magic in your mouth. The secret? A generous splash of bourbon in the filling and a homemade caramel sauce that cascades down each slice.
My grandmother would faint if she knew I added sea salt to the caramel, but that sweet-salty combination elevates this pie to legendary status. Your kitchen will smell like autumn heaven for hours!
2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Pie
Silky chocolate ganache meets creamy peanut butter in this no-bake wonder that’ll make you weak in the knees. The pretzel crust adds that perfect salty crunch that balances the richness above.
Chilling is crucial—give it at least four hours in the fridge. For an extra touch of decadence, sprinkle chopped Reese’s cups on top just before serving.
Trust me, chocolate and peanut butter were made for each other!
3. Grandma’s Rival Lemon Meringue
Sunshine on a plate! This lemon meringue pie boasts a filling that’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a meringue so fluffy it’s like biting into a lemon-kissed cloud.
I once made this for a family reunion, and my grandmother asked for the recipe—victory! The secret is using fresh lemons and adding a hint of lemon zest to the meringue itself.
Those tiny yellow flecks tell everyone this isn’t your average lemon pie.
4. Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Chunks
Toasted pecans swimming in a bourbon-spiked filling, studded with chunks of dark chocolate—this is the grown-up pie of your dreams. The key is using high-quality bourbon that you’d actually drink.
Don’t chop the chocolate too fine; those melty pockets create delightful surprises in each bite. And please, toast those pecans first!
That extra step transforms this from good to unforgettable. Your taste buds will thank you profusely.
5. Strawberry Rhubarb Lattice Pie
Ruby red strawberries and tart rhubarb create a symphony of sweet-tart perfection under a gorgeous lattice crust. The vibrant pink filling bubbling through the woven dough is practically begging for Instagram fame.
Growing up, I watched my grandmother struggle with her lattice technique. Years later, I discovered the secret: freeze the strips for 10 minutes before weaving!
This pie tastes like summer memories and makes me nostalgic for simpler times.
6. Salted Caramel Banana Cream Pie
Velvety banana custard crowned with clouds of whipped cream and drizzled with homemade salted caramel sauce—this is banana cream pie elevated to an art form. The Graham cracker crust provides the perfect crunchy foundation.
Use bananas that are ripe but still firm. If they’re too mushy, they’ll dissolve into the custard. For an extra touch of luxury, torch the top with a kitchen blowtorch like you would a crème brûlée.
The caramelized sugar adds magnificent texture!
7. Maple Bacon Breakfast Pie
Breakfast meets dessert in this mind-blowing creation! A flaky crust cradles a maple custard filling studded with crispy bacon pieces and finished with a maple glaze. Morning has never tasted so decadent.
I served this at a brunch and watched grown adults fight over the last slice. The key is using real maple syrup—not the fake stuff—and cooking the bacon until it’s super crispy.
This sweet-savory masterpiece will make you question everything you thought you knew about pie.
8. Rustic Triple Berry Galette
Technically a pie’s free-spirited cousin, this rustic galette showcases a trio of berries—blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries—nestled in a hand-folded crust that’s deliberately imperfect. The beauty is in its casual elegance.
The dough should be cold when you’re working with it. I once tried making this on a hot summer day without air conditioning—big mistake!
My kitchen became a berry disaster zone. Let the juices bubble and caramelize a bit for that irresistible jammy quality.
9. Brown Butter Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel
Forget basic pumpkin pie! Brown butter adds nutty complexity to the filling, while a crunchy pecan streusel topping provides textural contrast. Your Thanksgiving guests will beg for this recipe.
The secret is browning the butter until it smells like hazelnuts, then cooling it before adding to your filling. For an extra special touch, spike the whipped cream with a splash of bourbon.
I serve this every fall, and people literally mark their calendars for it!
10. Cherry Almond Frangipane Pie
Sweet cherries nestled in rich almond cream create a pie that’s both rustic and sophisticated. The frangipane layer adds a luxurious texture that perfectly complements the fruit.
Fresh cherries are best, but frozen work wonderfully in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw and drain them thoroughly. A splash of amaretto in the filling amplifies the almond flavor.
My grandmother would be shocked at this fancy upgrade to her simple cherry pie, but I think she’d approve!
11. Blackberry Lavender Pie with Honey Crust
Plump blackberries infused with delicate lavender create a floral-fruity masterpiece that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. The honey in the crust adds subtle sweetness and gorgeous golden color.
Don’t overdo the lavender—it should whisper, not shout. I use just 1 teaspoon of culinary lavender steeped in hot water, then strained.
The first time I made this, I went overboard and created something that tasted like fancy soap! Learn from my mistakes.
12. Savory Tomato Pie with Bacon and Basil
Summer tomatoes shine in this Southern-inspired savory pie loaded with layers of sliced tomatoes, crispy bacon, fresh basil, and a cheesy topping. It’s like a BLT in pie form!
The key is salting and draining those tomatoes before assembling. Nobody wants a soggy bottom! I grow my own basil each summer, specifically for this pie.
My neighbors have started timing their visits to coincide with tomato season—subtle, they are not.
13. S’mores Pie with Torched Meringue
Campfire vibes in pie form! A graham cracker crust cradles chocolate ganache, topped with billowy meringue that’s torched to golden perfection. No campfire required, but all the nostalgic flavor is there.
The chocolate layer should be just set but still slightly soft, not hard like a candy bar. If you don’t have a kitchen torch, place it under the broiler for a few seconds, but watch it like a hawk!
Nothing ruins a pie faster than burnt meringue with its bitter aftertaste.
14. Chai-Spiced Pear Pie with Walnut Crumble
Tender pears infused with warming chai spices nestle beneath a crunchy walnut crumble topping. The combination of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves will make your kitchen smell like heaven.
Use firm pears that hold their shape when baked—Bosc or Anjou are perfect. I once served this at a holiday gathering and watched my spice-averse uncle devour three slices!
The chai flavor is subtle but transformative, turning a simple pear pie into something extraordinary.
15. Blueberry Lemon Curd Pie
Fresh blueberries suspended in tangy lemon curd create a sunshine-bright pie that balances sweet and tart perfectly. The contrast of purple berries against yellow curd is visually stunning.
Making lemon curd from scratch is worth every second—the bottled stuff doesn’t compare. I learned this recipe during a summer in Maine when blueberries were practically falling from the sky.
The neighbors would bring buckets to my door, and this pie became my signature thank-you gift.
16. Chocolate Espresso Silk Pie
Impossibly smooth chocolate filling with a kick of espresso, piled high in a chocolate cookie crust. Each bite melts on your tongue like a dream. This is a chocolate lover’s nirvana!
Quality chocolate matters here—use the good stuff. I add a pinch of cayenne for depth without detectable heat. My grandmother would have considered this pie scandalously rich, which is precisely why it’s so perfect.
Top with coffee-infused whipped cream for the ultimate indulgence.
17. Savory Spinach and Feta Pie
Greek spanakopita meets American pie in this savory masterpiece. Layers of phyllo dough encase a filling of spinach, feta, dill, and a hint of nutmeg. The flaky, buttery crust shatters perfectly with each bite.
Fresh spinach works best, but frozen is convenient—just squeeze out all the moisture. Working with phyllo can be intimidating, but don’t panic if sheets tear; just patch them together.
Nobody will notice once it’s baked to golden perfection!
18. Strawberry Balsamic Pie with Black Pepper Crust
Fresh strawberries macerated in balsamic vinegar create a sophisticated filling with complex flavor. The black pepper in the crust adds unexpected warmth and dimension that elevates the entire experience.
Don’t skimp on the balsamic—use the good stuff that’s thick and syrupy. The pepper should be freshly ground and coarse for texture. This pie converted my strawberry-hating husband into a believer!
The adult flavors transform a simple berry pie into something worthy of a fine restaurant.
19. Banana Pudding Pie with Nilla Wafer Crust
Nostalgic banana pudding reimagined as a sliceable pie! A Nilla wafer crust holds layers of vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, and whipped cream. It’s childhood in dessert form.
Layer the bananas strategically so every slice has even distribution. Brush them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning. I’ve made this for countless potlucks, and it vanishes faster than any other dessert.
There’s something about the combination that makes people forget their manners and go back for seconds!
20. Maple Buttermilk Chess Pie
Southern tradition meets New England flavor in this maple-infused chess pie. The buttermilk adds a pleasant tanginess that balances the sweetness perfectly. The caramelized top crackles when you slice it!
Real maple syrup is non-negotiable here—the fake stuff will ruin it. My Vermont grandmother and Alabama grandfather would argue about whose regional influence made this pie so good.
I’d just smile and take another slice while they debated. Some family traditions are worth preserving!