It’s Pie Season: Which Holiday Pies Are the Best?
Oh, holiday pies, how we love you! Pumpkin, chess, cranberry, apple, berry, chocolate, and the list goes on.
We each have our traditional favorites, the pies we look forward to diving our forks into each year at grandma's house. We may be biased here at Paige's Bakehouse, but we believe the holiday season - Thanksgiving, Christmas, even New Year's Eve - was meant for pies.
But here's the burning question. With so many pies out there, which ones are the best?
Pumpkin certainly takes the throne during Thanksgiving, while cranberry often makes a delectable appearance at Christmas. But who can forget the classic apple pie with a large helping of whipped cream on top?
Many articles attempt to rank the top-favorite holiday pies definitively, but here's the thing - pies are subjective. How could someone else possibly define the depths of your love of pies? Answer: they can't.
So, which pies are your favorite? Yes, we believe this is a crucial decision you need to make. And we assert there's only one way to do it. You have to host your own Pie Tasting Event.
Here's how to organize your holiday pie tasting event.
Think of it like a potluck, but with more sugar and smiles! Whether you invite family or friends to participate (Or, hey, if you take this on alone, we won't judge!), hosting a Pie Tasting Event will be the deliciously memorable highlight of everyone's holiday season.
First, determine what pies to include (See below for our complete list of faves!).
Next, invite family and friends. Tell them to come with stretchy pants and an enormous appetite - this is serious business!
Then, order your holiday pies in advance, so they're ready for pick-up when you need them.
Prepare your decor items. You'll want serving plates and utensils, cardstock for labeling your pies, fun little scorecards, napkins, and cups (for plenty of milk!) Now, you're ready for the main event.
Here’s how to be a successful holiday pie tasting judge.
The day of Pie Tasting is a big deal, full of excitement as you prepare your displays and welcome guests, but it's essential to stay focused on your task at hand - determining your favorite pie.
When evaluating your pies, it's essential to focus on overall appearance, impression, and taste. Go pie-by-pie and use your scorecards to rank each of the following categories from 1-10 (1 being extremely poor and 10 being, "Just, WOW!" ):
Look: Examine the pie's overall appearance. How delicious does it look? How tempting?
Taste: Next, have everyone try just one bite. What's your immediate impression? On a scale of 1-10, how much do you crave another taste?
Substance: Have your judges take a second bite. Now, evaluate the pie's texture, flavor, and aftertaste. How does it feel on the tongue? Do the spices blend well together? How does the aftertaste leave you feeling?
Overall Impression: Take one last bite and evaluate your lasting, overall impression. Was the holiday pie impressive, memorable? Would you order it again?
Once you've tasted and judged all the pies, tally up each pie's score and announce the winners!
What holiday pies do we recommend for your pie tasting event?
Are you itching to organize your first family Pie Tasting yet? You may be sitting with just one more lingering question - which holiday pies should you include?
Well, here are a few of our personal favorites:
Paige's Famous Jack Daniel's Apple Pie - This is Paige's signature pie! Made with fresh apples and Jack Daniel's Whisky, this pie has hints of caramel and maple with a cinnamon oats streusel!
Spiced Pumpkin Pie - This traditional pie is full of fresh pumpkin, spice & everything nice with hints of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Chocolate Cream Pie - Fluffy and rich, this chocolate pie is drizzled with chocolate ganache and topped with fresh buttercream.
Blueberry Cheesecake Pie - Like a classic cheesecake, this pie is fluffy, creamy, and full of fresh blueberries set in a classic buttery and flaky crust.
Pecan Pie - Super sweet with a maple hint, rich, and full of fresh Texas pecans!
Very Berry Pie - This pie is packed with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries with a classic buttery and flaky crust.
Coconut Cream Pie - This sweet coconut custard pie is full of fresh and toasted coconut and topped with fluffy buttercream.
We recommend selecting at least five pies with savory, sweet, and fruity varieties for your event! Now, your final task is at hand - go and order your holiday pies and host your pie tasting!