Favorite Holiday Pie Recipes

The filling of this chocolate-crust pie is luscious, but not too rich. (Think old-fashioned chocolate pudding.) A bit of sour cream in the whipped topping balances the chocolate perfectly.

Lisa Ludwinski of Sister Pie in Detroit says this sweet-tart recipe, which she shares in her Sister Pie cookbook, might be her all-time favorite-especially served with vanilla ice cream. Note: There is a step of blind-baking the crust (par-baking it before filling so that the crust gets nice and crispy). You'll need pie weights or a couple pounds of dried beans.

A spiced filling, made from whipped cream, creates a lighter-tasting version of traditional pumpkin pie. The gingersnap crust adds more kick than classic crusts.

This classic pie recipe comes from Miss Aimee B's Tea Room in St. Charles, Missouri.

This rich, chocolate-y pie's flavor really depends on ripe, flavorful pears. (In other words, if they're still rock-hard, don't bother.) For a topping idea, try making homemade whipped cream with a dollop of sour cream whipped in; the slight acidity nicely cuts through the pie's chocolatey richness.

This pie is a bit of a time commitment, but what a showstopper! The recipe comes from the Sister Pie cafe in Detroit. Note that you'll need pie weights or a couple pounds of dried beans for blind-baking the crust. Also, if you don't have a broiler-safe pie plate (metal is safest), you will need a kitchen torch to toast the topping. They are quite inexpensive.

This decadent pie is a favorite at Macy's on North State Street in Chicago. Stir in candy from a box of famous Frango Mints (order at Macys.com ), or use solid mint-flavored chocolate candies from the grocery store.

This pie is from Miss Aimee B's Tea Room in St. Charles, Missouri.

Caramel and pecans form a gooey base for this chocolate dream pie. Make this decadent pie at least a day ahead so it has plenty of time to chill before guests arrive.

Choose your favorite dried fruit to pair with apples for this double-crust pie. Present the cooled pie on a bigger pie plate full of gumdrops for a holiday-festive look.

Serve your Christmas eggnog in this creamy pie, swirled with chocolate. The recipe is from the former Elsah Landing Restaurant in historic Elsah, Illinois, which was famous for its pies.

This berry pie proves that there's beauty in simplicity. The piecrust is wrapped around a three-ingredient filling that includes fine dry breadcrumbs. You don't even need a pie plate to make this juicy treat.

This rich blend of two favorite holiday flavors— chocolate and mint—might start a new dessert tradition in your house. Can't find the mint-flavored pieces? Use regular chocolate chips and add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the batter.

This gooey-rich pie blends the flavors of walnut, coconut and chocolate. 

This lemon meringue pie recipe, which includes candied lemon peel, is a favorite at Southmoreland on the Plaza, in Kansas City, Missouri. The recipe comes from Luke Reichle, brother of Southmoreland co-owner Mark.

Cherry pie is the specialty of Betty Reichle, mother of Southmoreland on the Plaza co-owner Mark Reichle. Her filling has a hint of cinnamon and almond. And she weaves a handsome lattice crust on the top. "I make points with Mark when I make this pie," she says.

You can't mistake the fruit in this cardamom-spiced beauty. Pear nectar and dried pears complement thick slices of fresh, juicy Bosc pears.

A Madison, Indiana, reader makes this chocolate version of pecan pie for her supper club. Club members thought it was their best dessert ever!

The mystery ingredient in this pecan pie is cream cheese! A Harrietta, Michigan, reader, likes this double-layer treat that combines two holiday favorites: cheesecake and pecan pie.

Bring all-time favorite cherry pie into the holidays. Although we tested it with refrigerated piecrust, you can use your own homemade crust, if you like. The filling gets a tasty boost from cinnamon and allspice.

This creamy rum-spiked yuletide pie makes an impressive holiday-dinner finale.