OOver the weekend, I purchased myself a pumpkin spice candle. And despite the fact that the temps are nonetheless pushing 90 right here in Austin, after I’m sitting at my desk with these heat, spicy scents preserving me firm, I’m absolutely in a fall way of thinking. Which is why it felt like the proper time to share considered one of my favourite seasonal rituals: the pie-baking celebration.
Since my mother occurs to be an skilled pie baker, I known as her over a couple of years in the past to get all her finest Thanksgiving pie ideas so I’d be prepared for baking success. With Phoebe by my aspect, our first annual pie celebration—and a brand new household custom—was born.
This idea is such a enjoyable excuse to assemble a couple of relations earlier than the vacations—or rally your lady gang for a comfortable afternoon within the kitchen. All you want is a few nice household recipes (my mother’s well-known buttermilk pie and maple pecan are linked beneath), a couple of easy components, and a very good playlist. Oh, and perhaps some mulled wine.
Scroll on for our favourite ideas for baking success, plus a couple of methods to make your pie celebration additional particular.
1. Set the Scene
Consider your pie baking celebration as a fall gathering that’s as a lot about the environment because the baking itself. The aim? Create an area the place everybody feels relaxed, impressed, and able to make a (little) mess collectively.
Begin by setting a heat tone the second friends stroll in: mild a couple of candles, cue up a jazz or acoustic playlist, and let the scent of cinnamon or apple simmer on the range. Clear your counters so there’s loads of workspace, and when you have an island or eating desk, flip it right into a shared prep zone with mixing bowls, rolling pins, and floured surfaces.
For an exquisite however low-effort contact, drape a linen tablecloth and set out aprons in coordinating tones—earthy neutrals or deep autumn hues really feel immediately inviting. Add small bowls of pre-measured spices, and perhaps a couple of jars of dried flowers or branches for a easy fall centerpiece.
- Mild candles or simmer a pot of cider with cinnamon sticks.
- Queue up a mellow playlist (jazz, acoustic, or traditional fall tunes).
- Set out aprons, rolling pins, and prepped crusts at every station so everybody can dive in.
Tip: I really like serving mulled wine or spiced tea—it retains the vibe festive with out feeling fussy.
2. Select a Mixture of Recipes
The most effective pie-baking events strike a steadiness between nostalgic favorites and new discoveries. Consider your menu as a mixture of classics and artistic twists, so there’s one thing for each baker’s ability degree.
Begin with one signature pie that everybody can bake collectively—pumpkin, apple, or pecan are all excellent fall choices. Then, invite friends to deliver a household recipe or a private favourite to share. It sparks storytelling (“this one’s from my grandmother’s handwritten cookbook”) and lets every individual shine.
For those who’re internet hosting a bigger group, divide pies by sort so there’s selection—fruit-based, custard, nut, and even a savory possibility like butternut squash galette or tomato tart. Print or handwrite recipe playing cards for every pie so friends can observe alongside and take one house.
And don’t overlook to plan for downtime: whereas pies bake, set out small bites like nuts, cheese, or spiced popcorn, and create a comfortable spot to assemble with drinks and chat.
- Select one signature pie (like gingersnap pumpkin or maple pecan) for everybody to make collectively.
- Invite every visitor to deliver one household recipe to share—it sparks dialog and nostalgia.
- Print or handwrite recipe playing cards so everybody can take one house.
My mother’s buttermilk pie is all the time on our record—it’s foolproof and tastes like house.
3. Simplify the Crust
My mother’s secret is… simply use store-bought! After many makes an attempt, we’ve realized that store-bought crust may be simply nearly as good as do-it-yourself. It’s completely scrumptious and a lot simpler. Simply ensure to thaw the crust within the fridge earlier than you’re prepared to make use of it, then hold it chilled.
4. Inventory Up on Baking Necessities
Earlier than you invite buddies to bake collectively, seize your flour, sugar, and extra butter than you assume you’ll want—plus no matter filling (hi there, 100% pure canned pumpkin) and frozen crusts you’re planning to make use of.
Tip: Make the day clean and stress-free by organising your kitchen in stations.
- Ingredient bar: flour, sugar, spices, eggs, butter, pie fillings.
- Rolling station: reducing boards, rolling pins, pastry brushes.
- Topping zone: cookie cutters, stencils, and zesters for garnish.
Some fundamentals may be surprisingly laborious to seek out proper earlier than the vacations, so shopping for them early ensures you’re ready for spontaneous pie-baking periods all season lengthy.
5. Grasp the Blind Bake
For those who’re making a custard-based pie (like pumpkin or buttermilk), blind baking the crust first helps hold it flaky and crisp. It sounds fancy, however “blind baking” simply means baking the crust earlier than including the filling.
Right here’s find out how to do it:
- Suit your unbaked pie crust into your pie dish.
- Line it with parchment or foil.
- Fill it with one thing heavy to weigh it down—like dried beans.
- Bake till the perimeters begin to flip golden, then take away the beans and bake for a couple of extra minutes so the underside browns barely.
In about quarter-hour, you’ll have a superbly prepped crust prepared for filling.
Blind baking prevents soggy bottoms and ensures your pie seems (and slices) completely.
6. Make It Lovely
My mother all the time retains recent nutmeg available and provides a wonderful dusting of it to her pies utilizing a microplane grater. Ditto for orange zest on a pumpkin pie or lemon zest tossed with apples earlier than baking—it’s that contact of brightness that makes the nice and cozy flavors of fall actually sing.
Use small cookie cutters to make ornamental leaves or hearts for topping your pie. Brush with egg wash and bake individually till golden.
You too can use cookie cutters to create seasonal shapes from additional dough—assume leaves, pumpkins, or stars. Brush them with a bit of egg wash, bake till golden, and use them to embellish your pies. It’s a easy method to make your dessert really feel festive (and so they make nice snacks whilst you bake).
Create Fall Reminiscences That Final
Reminiscence-making is actually the entire level of a pie-baking celebration. Spending a day yearly with my mother and my daughter is a kind of multigenerational moments that made me so grateful for household—and a reminder that it’s as much as me to create traditions for my children.
There’s one thing particular about being within the kitchen collectively: making one thing scrumptious to share, swapping pie ideas, telling tales. Go forward and bust out the matching aprons, discover your grandmother’s previous cookbook, and lean into each custom you may bear in mind—or create new ones. And don’t overlook to take a couple of photographs. It’s a easy ritual that simply would possibly turn out to be a household custom for you, too.
This publish was final up to date on October 29, 2025, to incorporate new insights.
