15 Pies That Aren’t Pumpkin but Still Win Thanksgiving

Every Thanksgiving dessert table seems to have one guaranteed guest: pumpkin pie. I have nothing against it, but surely we can make room for another slice of something.

Give me a good apple pie with a buttery crust, a rich chocolate cream pie, or a pecan pie with just the right amount of filling, and I’ll happily skip the usual pumpkin for a change. I like having a few desserts on the table that make people pause before automatically reaching for the familiar one.

These 15 Thanksgiving pies give pumpkin some competition, from classic fruit-filled favorites to rich, creamy desserts. Bring one to the table and see who reaches for a second slice.

Black Bottom Pie

Finding a vintage recipe for this double-layer dessert felt like uncovering a secret I just had to test. A dark chocolate base hidden under fluffy rum cream makes it a conversation starter, and making it ahead means your fridge does the work.
Get the Recipe: Black Bottom Pie

Grasshopper Pie

Lin and Leo always lose their minds when I pull out this bright green mint pie because it feels like dessert and a magic trick at the same time. A crunchy chocolate cookie crust holds a cool peppermint filling that sets completely in the fridge, saving precious oven space when the turkey is roasting.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Pie

Gluten Free Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream

I spent ages tweaking this gluten-free crust, so it actually tastes buttery and flaky instead of crumbly and sad. Real maple syrup and dulce de leche give the sweet pecan filling a gorgeous caramel depth that will make everyone forget about pumpkin entirely.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream

Shoofly Pie

Whenever I want a slice of true bakery nostalgia, I bake up this Pennsylvania Dutch classic with its thick molasses filling. A heavy blanket of sweet brown sugar crumbs bakes right into a sticky, cake-like top that practically begs for a fresh cup of coffee.
Get the Recipe: Shoofly Pie

Water Pie

I laughed out loud when I first read a Depression-era card calling for plain water and sugar, but curiosity got the better of me. Watching those basic pantry staples transform into a silky, sweet custard in the oven is a little kitchen miracle worth sharing with skeptical guests.
Get the Recipe: Water Pie

Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

My wooden recipe box holds plenty of cards, but this butter-stained apple pie formula is the one I trust blindly every November. Sliced tart apples bubble away inside a double crust under a woven lattice top that turns golden and flaky in the heat.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Lattice Top Apple Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Thick vanilla custard loaded with sweet coconut flakes is my absolute favorite way to bribe my friends into staying for dessert. A crisp baked shell and a towering cloud of fresh whipped cream make this pie disappear faster than almost anything else on the table.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cream Pie

Easy Buttermilk Pie

I keep buttermilk in the fridge specifically for moments when I need an effortless southern pie that tastes like it took hours. Eggs, sugar, and butter whisk up into a smooth batter that bakes golden with a subtle, sweet tang everyone loves.
Get the Recipe: Easy Buttermilk Pie

Vinegar Pie

A neighbor dared me to bake a vinegar pie years ago, and I have been making it ever since just to watch guests guess the secret ingredient. Apple cider vinegar and eggs bake into a smooth, citrusy custard that tastes surprisingly like a bright lemon slice.
Get the Recipe: Vinegar Pie

Sugar Cream Pie

Simple dairy bakes always steal my heart, and this classic Midwest comfort pie is the coziest thing you can pull out of an oven. Cream, brown sugar, and vanilla simmer on the stove before pouring into a crust with a light dusting of nutmeg on top.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cream Pie

Gluten-Free Chocolate Pie With Chocolate Custard and Whipped Cream

Chocolate lovers in my house will stage a full mutiny if I don’t put a rich chocolate pie on the holiday table. Silky dark chocolate custard fills a crisp gluten-free crust before getting piled high with fresh cream, and it tastes even better when chilled overnight.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Chocolate Pie With Chocolate Custard and Whipped Cream

Chess Pie

Whenever my schedule gets completely wild during holiday prep, I rely on this ten-minute southern pie to save dessert. Sugar, butter, and eggs bake together into a gooey center with a delicate crisp crust on top that makes everyone ask for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Chess Pie

Sweet Potato Pie

Roasting sweet potatoes for a pie takes a little extra patience, but the earthy, spiced richness beats canned pumpkin every single time. Warm cinnamon and nutmeg blend into a velvety filling inside a buttery crust that feels like pure autumn comfort.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pie

Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Retro pies are my soft spot, and this old-fashioned cream and raisin bake always brings back memories of dusty antique cookbook finds. Plump fruit and tangy sour cream cook into a rich custard under a golden meringue layer that is totally worth reviving.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Real lemon juice and egg yolks are a fantastic secret when I want a dessert that cuts through a heavy holiday feast. Tart citrus filling underneath towering peaks of toasted sweet meringue brings a clean, bright finish to the table.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Meringue Pie

If pumpkin pie already has its loyal fans, which of these would you bring to the table to give it a little competition?