Forget apple pie! (Sorry, Mom.) America’s got a serious pie problem… a delicious problem. We’re diving headfirst into 17 pies so unique, they’ll make your taste buds sing “God Bless America.”
Plus, we’re sharing the secrets to 3 recipes you’ll be baking before you can say “crust.” Prepare for a pie-oneering adventure!
1. Key Lime Pie (Florida)
Yellow-green and tangy-sweet, authentic Key Lime Pie comes only from the Florida Keys. The secret?
Tiny key limes give it that special zing. Locals insist on using condensed milk (a tradition from before refrigeration) and a graham cracker crust.
2. Shoofly Pie (Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania Dutch settlers created this molasses marvel that’s part cake, part pie. The name?
Supposedly from shooing away flies attracted to the sweet smell. Dark molasses forms a gooey bottom layer while a crumbly streusel top provides perfect texture contrast.
3. Marionberry Pie (Oregon)
Oregon’s pride! Marionberries were developed at Oregon State University in the 1950s. These blackberry cousins make extraordinary pies with deep purple filling.
The berries offer the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Bakers often add lemon zest to brighten the flavor.
4. Sugar Cream Pie (Indiana)
Called “Hoosier Pie” by locals, this simple custard dates back to pioneer days. Farm wives made it when apples ran out.
The filling contains just cream, sugar, flour, and vanilla. No eggs needed! Indiana loved it so much they named it the official state pie in 2009.
5. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie (Midwest)
Summer in a pie tin! Tart rhubarb stalks balance perfectly with sweet strawberries in this Midwestern classic.
The ruby-red filling bubbles through crust vents. Many family recipes include secret ingredients like orange zest or cinnamon.
6. Huckleberry Pie (Montana)
Wild huckleberries grow only in mountain regions and can’t be commercially farmed. Montanans guard their picking spots like treasure!
These tiny purple berries pack huge flavor – like blueberries with extra tang and intensity. The pies showcase minimal ingredients to let the rare berries shine.
7. Bourbon Pecan Pie (Kentucky)
Kentucky’s famous bourbon adds grown-up kick to traditional pecan pie. The alcohol cooks off, leaving caramel notes that enhance the nuts.
Toasted pecans float to the top while baking, creating a beautiful pattern. The filling gets a maple-like richness from brown sugar.
8. Sour Cherry Pie (Michigan)
Michigan grows 75% of America’s tart cherries. These bright red gems make spectacular pies with the perfect sweet-sour balance. The juicy filling turns ruby-red when baked.
A hint of almond extract enhances the cherry flavor. During the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, bakers compete to create the ultimate version of this iconic pie.
9. Chocolate Haupia Pie (Hawaii)
Haupia, a coconut milk pudding, meets chocolate in this Hawaiian favorite. The pie features two distinct layers – chocolate custard on the bottom, white coconut haupia on top.
Macadamia nut crust adds local flavor and crunch. Found in restaurants across the islands, especially on Oahu.
10. Buttermilk Pie (Texas)
Southern comfort in pie form! Tangy buttermilk creates a custard-like filling with hints of vanilla and nutmeg.
The top forms a delicate golden crust while baking. Texas grandmothers pass down recipes through generations. Perfect with fresh berries on top.
11. Tomato Pie (New Jersey)
Not dessert! This savory Jersey favorite features thick-cut tomatoes, herbs, and cheese baked in a flaky crust.
Summer’s best tomatoes get layered with basil and a mayo-cheese topping. Bakeries in Trenton claim to have the original recipe from the early 1900s.
12. Boston Cream Pie (Massachusetts)
Despite the name, it’s actually cake! Two yellow cake layers sandwich vanilla custard, topped with chocolate ganache.
Created at Boston’s Parker House Hotel in 1856. The state legislature named it Massachusetts’ official dessert in 1996. Modern versions sometimes include coffee or rum flavoring.
13. Grape Pie (New York)
The Finger Lakes region transforms Concord grapes into extraordinary pies each fall. Removing seeds and skins requires patience, making these pies special treats.
The purple filling tastes like concentrated grape juice with wine-like depth. Naples, NY hosts an annual Grape Festival celebrating this unique creation.
14. Pawpaw Pie (Appalachia)
America’s forgotten fruit! Pawpaws grow wild throughout Appalachia with tropical mango-banana flavor despite being native to temperate forests.
The custardy yellow flesh makes incredible pies similar to banana cream but more complex. Their short season makes these pies rare treats.
15. Banoffee Pie (California)
British-born but California-perfected! Banana and toffee combine in this no-bake sensation popular throughout LA’s trendy cafes.
A graham cracker crust holds dulce de leche caramel, banana slices, and coffee-spiked whipped cream. The caramel comes from slowly cooking condensed milk.
16. Ozark Berry Pie (Arkansas)
Mountain communities gather wild blackberries, blueberries and raspberries for this mixed-berry masterpiece. Each family’s version is slightly different.
The purple-red filling has complex flavor from the berry blend. A splash of lemon juice brightens it up.
17. Green Chile Apple Pie (New Mexico)
Sweet meets heat! New Mexico’s famous Hatch green chiles add unexpected kick to traditional apple pie.
Roasted chiles provide smoky warmth that enhances the cinnamon-apple filling. The crust often contains pinon nuts (pine nuts) for Southwestern flair.
18. Persimmon Pie (Missouri)
Native American persimmon trees produce small orange fruits that transform into delicious pies after the first frost softens them.
The spiced filling resembles pumpkin but with unique honey-apricot notes. Ozark families have harvest traditions around gathering wild persimmons.
19. Whoopie Pie (Maine)
Not technically a pie! These hand-held treats feature marshmallow filling sandwiched between two chocolate cake discs.
Maine claims them as their own, though Pennsylvania Amish communities make similar versions. The name supposedly comes from kids shouting “Whoopie!” when finding them in lunch boxes.
20. Transparent Pie (Kentucky)
Similar to chess pie but with its own Kentucky character. The filling turns amber and translucent when baked – hence the name.
Simple ingredients create complex flavor: butter, sugar, eggs, and cream with vanilla and nutmeg. Maysville, Kentucky claims to be its birthplace.