Intriguing combos, that use apple and cheese in the same pie to the more rustic and juicy pies with their juicy fruits or berries, take your pick on the American fare of pies. All of these are cherished pies that ultimately find their roots in Europe, where the immigrants came from. In some cases, they mingled with the local native Indian food habits and wild fruits and berries and yielded even more delicious pies, sacred to both sects of people.
The addition of cheddar cheese to apple pie has caused a rift between pie fans – some embraced the innovative pie, while others view it as sacrilegious. Though believed to originate in New England, some trace cheddar cheese apple pie's roots to England and even ancient times when cheese, fruit, and nut combinations were commonplace. Enjoying this apple pie with cheese is deeply ingrained in regions like New England, Pennsylvania, the Midwest, parts of Canada and Britain. Vermont solidified this custom in 1999 by passing a law regarding apple pie consumption with additions like cheddar cheese, ice cream, and cold milk.
One of the signature pies to come out of Georgia, peanut butter is a weakness for many Americans and put that in a pie, and you have an addictive dessert. Peanut butter is combined with flour, butter, eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and corn syrup. Imagine that being layered to the brim, into a crumbly crust, sturdy yet delicate. You will also find crunchy morsels of roasted and salted peanuts scattered throughout the pie. Like most pies, this one too tastes amazing with a cloud of whipped cream.
Florida’s sunshine in a pie form, we want a bite of this tangy and sweet Sour Orange Pie no less. This pie has a graham cracker crust, forming a firm crust and a filling made with creamy condensed milk, egg yolks with orange zest, and lemon zest. This pie is adorned with an airy and crisp meringue. While modern versions might use readily available oranges, the OG version used the famed Seville oranges brought by Spanish explorers centuries ago. One forkful of this pie, and you'll agree that it outshines its key lime cousin with its sublime flavor.
An emblem of the US desserts, that oozes waves of comfort, Cherry Pie graces tables across North America and Europe. Encased in a flaky crust, tart Morello cherries (or sometimes sweeter varieties) make up the filling on which a top crust rests, often featuring a lattice design, through which the fruits can be seen. Served warm with whipped cream or ice cream, Cherry Pie has become a cultural icon, famously featured in many TV shows and films. The dessert's significance extends to the Americans celebrating National Cherry Pie Day on Presidents' Day, a nod to the legendary tale of George Washington and the cherry tree.
Arkansas' culinary trickster, Possum Pie, earns its name from its deceptive layers. This dessert plays possum by hiding a delicious layer beneath a whipped cream topping. Dig deeper to unearth the chocolate layer, followed by the creamy base of either cream cheese, vanilla pudding, or sour cream. While fruit occasionally replaces chocolate, traditionalists prefer the classic fruit. A sprinkle of chopped pecans completes this pie that has garnered a dedicated following in the state.
The Peach State's signature dessert, Georgia Peach Pie, is the perfect showcase of the region's prized fruit. Ripe and juicy Georgia peaches are cut and filled in a flaky butter crust, before which the peaches are combined with sugar, lemon juice, and flour. The peach pie is baked until golden and bubbling at the edges and is best enjoyed chilled with the aforementioned dollop of whipped cream. Despite its strong association with Georgia, peach pie holds the title of official state pie in Delaware, because of the state's 19th-century prominent peach production.
Lemon tends to make everything refreshing North American Lemon Ice Box Pie combines lemon juice with eggs and condensed milk, that is set on a crust of crushed vanilla cookies or graham crackers. The pie's name stems from its storage method – cooling in ice boxes before modern refrigeration. Minimal baking is required, as lemon's acidity helps set the egg yolks into the pie filling naturally. Today, Clancy's in New Orleans is renowned for its version, but the pie remains a popular choice across the country, especially during the summer months.
Haupia Pie is of Hawaiian descent that combines the buttery goodness of the pie crust, and here’s the twist, this pie is layered, starting with a baked pie crust, followed by a layer of rich chocolate pudding. Then the signature haupia layer – a coconut milk pudding thickened with cornstarch – sits comfortably on the chocolate layer. A generous dollop of whipped cream finishes the pie, often garnished with chocolate shavings or chopped nuts of choice to break the monotony of the white coconut pudding. Haupia Pie is a common offering in Hawaiian bakeries and coffee shops and is much loved by locals and tourists too.