What we have here is not your average pumpkin pie. While we all love a classic Grandma’s Apple or Pecan Pie, I’m looking to try something new this holiday season. So I’ve rounded up 7 great alternatives to the classic favorites that will be delicious additions to your dessert table this year. From softserve fillings to heirloom grain crusts, this Thanksgiving’s pie is going to be anything but boring.
Cake Monkey Bakery
This favorite neighborhood bakery puts a new spin on nostalgic treats, and has perfected the classic pies we all grew up with. Their Butterscotch Pudding Pie brings all of the fall flavors together in a housemade graham cracker crust, topped with fresh whipped cream and pumpkin seed brittle. They also make it Gluten Free, so all of your party guests are sure to enjoy!
Magpies
Skip a step and get ice cream with your pie- 2 for 1! The family-owned ice cream spot has kept us cool and our sweet tooths satisfied this year with their rotating seasonal soft serve flavors and toppings. They’re whipping up softserve pies that are a cool twist on the classic flavors! Try their Pumpkin Pecan Softserve pie, which is layered with salted caramel sauce and candied pecans, and topped with brown butter pecan crumble and whipped cream, all in their graham cracker crust. A great apple pie alternative is their Dutch Apple Softserve Pie- made with their vegan Apple Pie softserve and covered with homemade apple butter, toasted almond, and marzipan brown sugar streusel!
FrankieLucyBakeShop / CrèmeCaramel LA
The Filipino-inspired custard and dessert shop has expanded their menu beyond their classic creme caramels, custard pies, and bread puddings to serve up a delactible variety of treats. One of which that would make a perfect holiday pie alternative is their Upside Down Pie! This treat consists of a Custard pie topped with bruleed graham cracker Greek yogurt crumble in a variety of rotating flavors, such as Ube and Buko (coconut) Pandan. Find them at FrankieLucy Bakeshop if you are near Silver Lake or for those Valley Dwellers you can enjoy these at Crème Caramel LA in Sherman Oaks.
Gus’s Fried Chicken
Take a Southern Twist on pie this year! Gus’s Fried Chicken has more than their world-famous fried chicken recipe (which, by the way, is also a fantastic holiday meal that everyone will drool over). They serve up warm slices of the classic Chess Pie, a chocolate custard layered in perfectly buttery crust. Top it with a scoop of cold Vanilla Bean ice cream and you’ll have a perfectly sweet ending to a delicious holiday feast.
Friends & Family
Chef/Baker Roxana Jullapat and her team will be whipping up five housemade pies, including “Old School” Pumpkin Pies made with organic heirloom pumpkins ($40); Classic Apple Pies made with delicately spiced apples ($42); Traditional Pecan Pies ($40); Chocolate Chess Pies ($40); and a great alternative for those that cannot consume gluten – Wheat–free Apple Cranberry Crumbles made with oats and oat flour ($40). Pies are currently available for pre-order (along with other Thanksgiving dishes + sides) until 11/19.
Proof
Proof Bakery not only offers incredible pastries daily, that would be perfect for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving, but each year they also have a menu of amazing pies, biscuits, rolls and more. Why has pumpkin pie when you can have Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Cocoa Almond Crust ($40), why have pecan pie when it can be Bourbon Maple Pecan Pie ($42) or shake things up with a Darby’s Banana Cream Pie ($38). Pre-order for pick up Nov. 21-23 at the shop.
True Food Kitchen
Each year I get excited for True Food Kitchen’s popular seasonal squash pie ($22) and it’s back for a limited time. You can pre-order at their Santa Monica location today through November 19th with in-store pick on Nov. 21 and 22. This nutrient filled, healthy holiday favorite definitely doesn’t taste healthy. It’s creamy filling of ripe butternut squash and wintery spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon with a hint of brandy, maple and coconut are surrounded by a vegan graham cracker crust and topped with a luscious vegan coconut-milk whipped cream. And it’s gluten-free too.
Sweet Somethings: