As the holidays approach, there’s no dessert more iconic and beloved than pie. Whether it’s a warm slice of apple pie or a rich and creamy pumpkin pie, mastering the art of pie baking is a must for any holiday baker. This guide will provide essential tips and tricks to perfect your pies, plus four classic holiday pie recipes that will impress your guests. And if you’re short on time, don’t worry! We’ve included a list of local bakeries where you can pick up a freshly made pie.

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Holiday Pies

1. Choose the Right Crust: A flaky, buttery crust is the foundation of any great pie. For fruit pies, opt for an all-butter crust to enhance the flavor. For creamy pies like pumpkin or sweet potato, a combination of butter and shortening gives structure while maintaining flakiness.
2. Keep Ingredients Cold: To achieve the perfect flaky texture, keep your butter and water as cold as possible. Chill the flour and even the mixing bowl before starting, and handle the dough as little as possible to avoid melting the butter.
3. Blind Bake for Creamy Pies: For pies with creamy fillings like pumpkin and sweet potato, blind bake the crust to avoid a soggy bottom. This involves pre-baking the crust with pie weights before adding the filling.
4. Use Cornstarch or Flour for Thickening Fruit Pies: For juicy pies like apple, adding a thickener like cornstarch or flour to the filling will prevent a runny pie. This way, you’ll get clean, beautiful slices.
5. Prevent Crust from Over-Browning: Cover the edges with aluminum foil or a pie shield halfway through baking to keep your crust from getting too dark.
6. Let Your Pie Cool Completely: Resist the temptation to slice into your pie right away. Letting it cool allows the filling to set, making for cleaner slices.
7. Add Decorative Elements: Festive pie crust decorations, like leaf-shaped cutouts or crimped edges, add a beautiful touch. Use small cookie cutters for intricate designs, and brush the crust with egg wash for a golden finish.

Classic Holiday Pie Recipes

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

• One prepared pie crust
• One can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• One teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Two large eggs
• One can (12 oz) evaporated milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Mix pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a large bowl.
2. Add eggs and beat until combined. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
3. Pour filling into the pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 40-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
4. Cool completely before serving. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream for a classic holiday touch.

Pecan Pie

Ingredients:

• One prepared pie crust
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• Three large eggs
• Two tablespoons melted butter
• One teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Pour the filling into the pie crust and scatter the pecans evenly over the top.
3. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the filling is set and the crust is golden. Cool before slicing to allow the filling to firm up.

Apple Pie

Ingredients:

• Two prepared pie crusts (for top and bottom)
• 6-8 cups peeled and sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Two tablespoons flour
• One teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• One tablespoon of lemon juice
• One tablespoon butter

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Mix apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice in a large bowl.
2. Place one pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with apple mixture and dot with butter.
3. Cover with the second crust, crimp the edges, and cut small slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let cool before serving.

Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

• One prepared pie crust
• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about two large sweet potatoes)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• Two large eggs
• One teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix mashed sweet potatoes, sugar, evaporated milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until smooth.
2. Pour the filling into the pie crust and smooth the top.
3. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the filling is set. Cool completely before serving.

Local Bakeries & Grocery Stores for Holiday Pies

If baking isn’t on the agenda this season, don’t worry! Here are some local bakeries where you can find delicious, freshly made pies for the holidays.

1. Grand Forks, ND: Bernie’s
   • Owned by chef and cookbook author Molly Yeh, Bernie’s in East Grand Forks offers a variety of seasonal pies available for special order. Known for using quality ingredients and unique flavors, Bernie’s pies are a local favorite.
2. St. Cloud, MN: Cold Spring Bakery
   • Cold Spring Bakery is renowned in the St. Cloud area for its impressive selection of pies and desserts, including classic holiday flavors like apple and pumpkin.
3. Detroit Lakes & Perham, MN: MW Pastry
   • Serving both Detroit Lakes and Perham, MW Pastry creates artisanal, small-batch pies with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and traditional baking methods.
4. Winona, MN: Aroma Pie Shoppe
   • Located in scenic Whalan near Winona, Aroma Pie Shoppe is famous for its homemade pies, which attract pie lovers from all over the region.
5. Alexandria, MN: Roers Family Bakery
   • This family-owned bakery in Alexandria is known for its homemade pies, which are particularly popular around the holidays.
6. Fergus Falls, MN: Falls Baking Company
   • Falls Baking Company in Fergus Falls offers a delicious assortment of seasonal pies, perfect for any holiday gathering.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of pie baking takes practice and patience, but the results are well worth the effort. From the rich, earthy flavors of pecan pie to the comforting aroma of sweet potato pie, these classic holiday pies will bring warmth and joy to your gatherings. And if time is short, visit one of the local bakeries listed above to pick up a perfectly crafted pie without the fuss. Enjoy a slice of holiday cheer this season!

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