How to Win the Dessert Course This Thanksgiving: Pie, Pie and More Pie

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
After a richly decadent Thanksgiving feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and likely several kinds of casseroles, the only way to end the meal is with something sweet … and also richly decadent. If cakes are the go-to at birthday parties, then pies were made for turkey day. Whether your family craves the tradition of a spiced apple pie or prefers the creaminess of the peanut butter variety, there’s indeed a filling for every personality this season. Check out Food Network’s top pie picks below, each a tried-and-true favorite from our chefs.
Let’s nickname this one “indecision pie”: It’s a three-way mash-up of apple, pumpkin and pecan pies for those times when you really want a slice of all three at the buffet table. With a base of buttery pecans, an edge of sweetened apples and a center of spiced pumpkin puree, this pie boasts comforting fall flavors in each bite.

Tara Donne
Sunny Anderson brings two times the hazelnut taste in her next-level take on a classic pumpkin pie. She adds splashes of hazelnut creamer to both the graham cracker crust and the cream cheese-laced filling, for especially indulgent results.

Tara Donne
Built atop a butter-and-shortening crust for a pastry that’s both full of flavor and flaky, The Pioneer Woman’s fuss-free pie can be made ahead the night before you want to serve it.
“I like it when it’s piled high,” Ina Garten revealed while adding the apples to her deep-dish pie. She flavors the filling with three fragrant spices — allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon — for the warmth you crave in apple pie.

Alice Gao, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Not just for a side-dish sauce, cranberries make an appearance in the dessert course in Alex Guarnaschelli’s crowd-pleasing pie. She adds a few pears to bulk up the filling, to which she adds just a bit of fresh orange zest for subtle citrus flavor.

Tara Donne
Like salt and caramel, and lemon and ginger, peanut butter and chocolate are simply better together, and here they team up in this no-bake pie. Save time in the kitchen by starting with a prepared chocolate cookie pie crust, then fill it with a silky mixture of whipped cream and peanut butter and let it chill in the freezer.

Matt Armendariz, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Made from the timeless combination of butter and brown sugar, in this recipe the rich butterscotch filling is made even more indulgent by being spiked with Scotch whiskey. Spread fluffy meringue on top and bake until it’s lightly browned.

Adrian Mueller, 2012, Adrian Mueller / AMueller.com, Cooking Channel, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Sweet Potato Pie with Crunchy Cranberry Topping
There’s no shortage of texture in Tyler Florence’s top-rated pie: The cinnamon-scented sweet potato filling is smooth and creamy, and the sprinkle of a mixture studded with chopped pecans, cranberries and amaretto cookies offers a welcome bite.