18 Old-Fashioned Pie Recipes That Deserve a Comeback

Who can resist a slice of homemade pie? While trendy desserts come and go, there’s something timeless about a good old-fashioned pie. These classic recipes have been passed down through generations, bringing comfort and nostalgia with every bite. Sadly, some of these classic recipes have been forgotten over the years, pushed aside for flashier treats. But with their flaky crusts, rich fillings, and heartwarming flavors, these pies deserve to be revived and brought back into the spotlight. Here are the old-fashioned pie recipes that are long overdue for a comeback.

Apple Pandowdy

Apple Pandowdy is a spiced apple pie with a broken or “dowdy” crust, often baked in a skillet. To make it, peel and slice tart apples, toss them in sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and layer them in a baking dish. Cover the apples with a rich, buttery pie crust and bake until golden. Halfway through baking, break up the crust with a spoon and allow the juices to bubble up over the pastry. This rustic pie is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Shoofly Pie

Shoofly Pie is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert made with molasses and crumb topping. Start by making a flaky pie crust, then prepare a molasses filling by mixing molasses, boiling water, baking soda, and flour. Pour the mixture into the crust and top with a crumbly streusel made from flour, sugar, and butter. Bake until the filling sets and the top is golden brown. This rich, sticky pie is a sweet treat perfect for molasses lovers.

Vinegar Pie

Vinegar Pie, a pie born out of necessity, uses vinegar as a substitute for fruit in times of scarcity. To make it, whisk together vinegar, sugar, eggs, flour, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the mixture into an unbaked pie shell and bake until set. The vinegar adds a tangy flavor that balances the sweetness, making it a unique and surprisingly delightful dessert. Serve it chilled for the best flavor.

Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie is a creamy, custard-like Southern dessert that’s tangy and sweet. To prepare it, beat together sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, and buttermilk until smooth. Pour the mixture into a prepared pie crust and bake until the top is golden and the center is set. The result is a silky pie with a delicate tang from the buttermilk. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a less sugary, more refined dessert.

Chess Pie

Chess Pie is a simple, old-fashioned pie made with a few pantry staples like sugar, eggs, butter, and cornmeal. Begin by whisking together the ingredients and pouring the filling into a prepared pie crust. Bake until the top is set and slightly crackled. The cornmeal adds a subtle texture, while the sugary filling is indulgent. This pie is easy to make and satisfies the sweet tooth without being overly complicated.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie combines a tart lemon curd filling with a fluffy meringue topping. To make it, whisk lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and cornstarch in a saucepan until thick and creamy. Pour the lemon filling into a prebaked pie crust. Whip egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form, then spread the meringue over the lemon filling and bake until golden. This bright and sunny pie is a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Black Bottom Pie

Black Bottom Pie has layers of chocolate and rum-flavored custard on a crumb crust. Start with a chocolate cookie crust, then make the chocolate filling by melting chocolate with cream and sugar. After the chocolate layer cools, spread a fluffy rum custard on top and chill the pie. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for an elegant dessert. This layered pie is rich, decadent, and perfect for special occasions.

Sugar Cream Pie

Sugar Cream Pie, also known as Hoosier Pie, hails from Indiana and features a sweet, custard-like filling. To make it, combine heavy cream, sugar, flour, and vanilla, and pour the mixture into a prepared pie shell. Dot the top with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon before baking until golden and set. The result is a silky, creamy pie that’s light but indulgent. It’s an excellent pie to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Sour Cream Raisin Pie is a creamy, tangy pie filled with plump raisins and topped with meringue. Start by making a custard from sour cream, eggs, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cooked raisins and pour the mixture into a baked pie crust. Top with meringue and bake until the meringue is golden brown. This pie is rich and flavorful, with a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

Green Tomato Pie

Green Tomato Pie is a Depression-era recipe that uses unripe tomatoes as a substitute for apples. Slice green tomatoes and toss them in sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Layer the tomatoes in a pie crust and dot with butter. Cover with a top crust, seal the edges, and bake until golden. This sweet and spiced pie is an unexpected treat that proves you can turn even the humblest ingredients into a delicious dessert.

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie is a no-bake classic with a creamy peanut butter filling and a graham cracker crust. To make it, whip cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth and fluffy. Pour the filling into a graham cracker crust and chill until firm. Top with whipped cream and crushed peanuts for added texture. This pie is perfect for peanut butter lovers and makes for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet Potato Pie is a Southern classic, with a rich and spiced sweet potato filling. Start by roasting sweet potatoes until soft, then mash them and mix with eggs, sugar, butter, milk, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the filling into a pie crust and bake until set. This pie is smooth, creamy, and full of fall flavors, making it perfect for holiday gatherings.

Coconut Cream Pie

Coconut Cream Pie features a rich coconut custard filling topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut. To make it, cook coconut milk, sugar, eggs, and cornstarch over low heat until thick and creamy. Pour the filling into a baked pie crust and chill until set. Top with whipped cream and a generous sprinkling of toasted coconut. This pie is light, tropical, and a hit for coconut lovers.

Raisin Pie

Raisin Pie is an old-fashioned dessert filled with spiced raisins and a syrupy filling. To make it, simmer raisins with sugar, water, and spices like cinnamon and cloves until plump and tender. Pour the raisin filling into a pie crust, top with a second crust, and bake until golden. The filling is sweet, sticky, and full of comforting flavors. It’s a nostalgic pie that’s sure to bring back memories of family dinners.

Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb Pie highlights the tartness of rhubarb with just enough sugar to balance the flavor. Slice fresh rhubarb and toss with sugar and a little flour to thicken the filling. Pour the mixture into a pie crust and top with a lattice crust before baking until bubbly and golden. The result is a tangy, sweet pie that pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This classic pie is ideal for spring and summer.

Banana Cream Pie

Banana Cream Pie is a no-bake favorite with layers of sliced bananas, vanilla custard, and whipped cream. To make it, prepare a simple custard by cooking milk, sugar, and cornstarch until thick. Layer the custard with sliced bananas in a prebaked pie crust and chill. Top with whipped cream and banana slices before serving. This pie is creamy, light, and a perfect way to enjoy ripe bananas.

Mincemeat Pie

Mincemeat Pie is a holiday tradition, filled with spiced fruit and sometimes beef or suet. To make the filling, combine dried fruits, apples, spices like cinnamon and cloves, and a splash of brandy or rum. Pour the mixture into a pie crust and cover with a top crust, then bake until golden and fragrant. This richly spiced pie is a holiday favorite with deep, complex flavors.

Oatmeal Pie

Oatmeal Pie is a cousin to pecan pie, with oats taking the place of nuts in a sticky, sweet filling. To make it, mix together oats, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla, then pour the filling into a pie crust. Bake until golden and set. The oats give this pie a chewy, hearty texture that’s satisfying and unique. It’s a pie that feels both nostalgic and fresh, with flavors reminiscent of a cookie.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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