Beyond the Pumpkin Pie: Other Sweet Treats for Your Thanksgiving Feast

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

22 Nov 2008 12:02 PM

If you aren't hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, but you don't want to show up to your loved one's home empty handed, consider bringing along one of these fabulous fruit pies. They are the perfect addition to a Thanksgiving dessert table and will be warmly embraced by other guests who don't particularly care for traditional pumpkin pie.

EASY CARAMEL APPLE PIE

Ingredients:

6 to 8 medium Granny Smith apples

1 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/2 tablespoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 pre-made pie crust

Pie crust scraps

1 jar caramel topping

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut, peel and core apples and place in a microwave safe bowl.

Add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cornstarch and microwave for 4 minutes.

Stir and pour the apple mixture into pie crust.

Drizzle caramel sauce over apples.

Directions For Topping:

Take pie crust scraps and crumble with your fingers. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and sprinkle over the top of the apples.

Place pie in oven and bake for 45 minutes to an hour.

LUSCIOUS LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup sugar

5 1/3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 cups hot water

3 large egg yolks

3 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons lemon juice

1 1/3 tablespoon grated lemon rind

1 pre-baked pie crust

Directions:

Mix sugar, cornstarch, and water together in a heavy pan. Stir constantly over a medium-high heat until mixture boils and thickens. Boil for one minute. Beat egg yolks slightly in a bowl and add half to the hot mixture. Boil another minute, constantly stirring. Remove from heat and stir until smooth. Blend in butter, lemon juice and rind, then pour into baked pie shell.

Ingredients for Meringue Topping:

6 large egg whites at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

3/4 cup fine sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat egg whites with electric mixer set on medium-high speed until they hold soft peaks. Beat in cream of tartar. Gradually add sugar. Add vanilla. Beat in cornstarch and vinegar. Continue beating until peaks are thick and glossy, not dry.

Place meringue mixture on top of pie, making sure it touches all edges.

Place pie in oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until meringue is golden brown.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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