There is nothing quite like rolling into your Thanksgiving feast with a homemade, fresh-from-the-oven pie. Whether pumpkin or pecan, apple or peanut butter, a good pie ends the biggest meal of the year on a high note that can carry you through till next November. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and all that is sweet, Food Network presents step-by-step how-tos for building the perfect pie, revealing the ins and outs of everything from making the perfect crust to giving your slice a unique, unexpected touch ( spoiler alert: fire is involved).

How to Make Pie Crust: Every good pie starts with the crust. Food Network's step-by-step guide shows how to make a flaky, buttery pie dough that's ready to be rolled out in no time. The real key? Using cold butter and taking advantage of your food processor.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie: If there's one thing we're thankful for, at least in the kitchen, it's the ease of making the golden child of fall desserts: pumpkin pie. Use your perfected pie crust as the starting place for this autumnal classic, and fill it with a creamy, spiced pumpkin filling that comes out of the oven smooth and pristine. Food Network takes you through the steps.

How to Make Whipped Cream: A slice of pie on your plate is a move in the right direction, but a slice of pie  with a heaping cloud of whipped cream hits it out of the park. With the help of your electric mixer, it couldn't be easier to make your own heavenly whipped cream, simply using fresh whipping cream and confectioners' sugar. Whip the two together until soft peaks form, and serve with just about any dessert you have on your Thanksgiving menu, pie included.

How to Brulee a Pumpkin Pie: The beauty of pumpkin pie may lie in its simplicity, but this easy technique gives your creation an edge  — a hot one. Treat the creamy filling of your pumpkin pie like another classic dessert, creme brulee, by delicately singeing the sugar-sprinkled top with a torch until crackly and caramelized.

How to Make Apple-Pumpkin-Pecan Pie: The die-hard pie lovers at your table are bound to freak out over this mash-up recipe that's Thanksgiving through and through. Especially if you love every flavor in this pie trinity equally, this ultimate how-to integrates the best elements of each  — the gooey pecan bottom, the sweet tang of apples and the creamy pumpkin center  — so you never have to choose.

Learn how to make everything for your Thanksgiving feast, with step-by-step guides and tips from FoodNetwork.com.