OOver the weekend, I purchased myself a pumpkin spice candle. And though the temps are nonetheless pushing 90 right here in Austin, after I’m sitting at my desk with these heat, spicy scents retaining me firm, I’m absolutely in a fall way of thinking. Which is why it felt like the proper time to share one in every of my favourite seasonal rituals: the pie-baking occasion.
Since my mother occurs to be an professional pie baker, I known as her over a number of years in the past to get all her finest Thanksgiving pie suggestions so I’d be prepared for baking success. With Phoebe by my aspect, our first annual pie occasion—and a brand new household custom—was born.
This idea is such a enjoyable excuse to collect a number of members of the family earlier than the vacations—or rally your woman 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 under), a number of easy components, and a great playlist. Oh, and perhaps some mulled wine.
Scroll on for our favourite suggestions for baking success, plus a number of methods to make your pie occasion additional particular.
1. Set the Scene
Consider your pie baking occasion 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 visitors stroll in: gentle a number 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’ve got an island or eating desk, flip it right into a shared prep zone with mixing bowls, rolling pins, and floured surfaces.
For a gorgeous 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 number 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 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 stability between nostalgic favorites and new discoveries. Consider your menu as a mixture of classics and inventive twists, so there’s one thing for each baker’s talent degree.
Begin with one signature pie that everybody can bake collectively—pumpkin, apple, or pecan are all good fall choices. Then, invite visitors 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.
When you’re internet hosting a bigger group, divide pies by sort so there’s selection—fruit-based, custard, nut, and even a savory choice like butternut squash galette or tomato tart. Print or handwrite recipe playing cards for every pie so visitors can comply with 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 collect 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 listing—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 will be simply nearly as good as do-it-yourself. It’s completely scrumptious and a lot simpler. Simply be certain that 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 mates to bake collectively, seize your flour, sugar, and extra butter than you assume you’ll want—plus no matter filling (howdy, 100% pure canned pumpkin) and frozen crusts you’re planning to make use of.
Tip: Make the day easy and stress-free by organising your kitchen in stations.
- Ingredient bar: flour, sugar, spices, eggs, butter, pie fillings.
- Rolling station: chopping boards, rolling pins, pastry brushes.
- Topping zone: cookie cutters, stencils, and zesters for garnish.
Some fundamentals will be surprisingly arduous to seek out proper earlier than the vacations, so shopping for them early ensures you’re ready for spontaneous pie-baking classes all season lengthy.
5. Grasp the Blind Bake
When you’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 sides begin to flip golden, then take away the beans and bake for a number 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 appears (and slices) completely.
6. Make It Stunning
My mother all the time retains contemporary nutmeg available and provides a fantastic 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 slightly egg wash, bake till golden, and use them to embellish your pies. It’s a easy method to make your dessert really feel festive (they usually make nice snacks when you bake).
Create Fall Recollections That Final
Reminiscence-making is admittedly the entire level of a pie-baking occasion. Spending a day yearly with my mother and my daughter is a type 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 youngsters.
There’s one thing particular about being within the kitchen collectively: making one thing scrumptious to share, swapping pie suggestions, telling tales. Go forward and bust out the matching aprons, discover your grandmother’s previous cookbook, and lean into each custom you possibly can bear in mind—or create new ones. And don’t overlook to take a number of photographs. It’s a easy ritual that simply may change into a household custom for you, too.
This submit was final up to date on October 29, 2025, to incorporate new insights.
