10 Great Pie Cookbooks (And Why We Love Them)
Updated: Dec. 17, 2021
Bakers, dust off your apron and grab your rolling pin! Few things are more comforting than a slice of warm, bubbly pie. Here are our favorite books that celebrate the classic dessert it all its sweet, flaky, finger-licking glory.
Easy as Pie
by Saura Madani
In her signature friendly and approachable style, Saura Madani lets you in on her unbelievably easy secrets for creating a pie that will turn any occasion into a memorable event. Perfect for beginner and seasoned bakers alike, Easy as Pie kicks off with a primer on crusts and then leads you on a delicious walk through all the glorious seasons with pies for spring, summer, fall and winter, as well as those that can be enjoyed any time of year. Baking fundamentals, troubleshooting advice, must-have tools, pantry staples, striking color photography and ingenious tips for creative garnishes and toppings round out this must-have pie compendium. For more easy recipes that boast the sweet taste of summer, check out these seasonal all-stars.
Notable recipe: Raspberry-Peach Streusel Pie is a sweet slice of summer baked into a tender flaky crust.
The Perfect Pie
by America’s Test Kitchen
Tested, written and edited by the culinary pros at America’s Test Kitchen, The Perfect Pie delivers over 180 recipes, tricks, tips and techniques to help every baker amp up his or her pie-making game. Learn to bake with confidence when you rely on their pro tips and practical solutions for solving the most common pie conundrums—goodbye, cracked crusts! With foolproof recipes, clear instructions and step-by-step photos, the perfect pie (or tart!) is yours for the taking. Find more great pie-making tips in this ultimate guide from our editors.
Notable recipe: Ginger Cranberry-Pear Streusel Pie is a burst of flavor in every bite. Consider it for Thanksgiving or any fall-themed gathering.
Me, Myself and Pie
by Sherry Gore
In Me, Myself and Pie, you’ll get a peek inside Sherry Gore’s Amish kitchen, where she whips up everything from traditional fruit and cream pies to inventive pie-inspired novelties. Enjoy heartfelt stories of Amish life to inspire your own baked creations and rely on helpful tips, charts and more for pie-making success. Want to learn more about Amish culinary traditions?
Notable recipe: Farmhouse Chicken Pot Pie is homespun comfort food at its finest. File this one away for a special Sunday dinner.
Pie Academy
by Ken Haedrich
Baking authority and founder of the Pie Academy website, Ken Haedrich is a man with a mission. He believes making pie should be as fun as eating it and in the pages of his latest pie compendium, proves anyone can do it. With over 250 recipes to please both newbie bakers and die-hard aficionados alike, Pie Academy is filled with ideas, inspiration and techniques that will ignite your passion for pie!
Notable recipe: Fruit Pie Pops may just be too adorable to eat…but don’t let that stop you from indulging or giving one away as a gift. Can’t get enough food on a stick? Get inspired with this fun collection of speared delectables.
The Southern Pie Book
by Jan Moon
You don’t have to live in the south to appreciate the region’s most prized dessert: pie. In The Southern Pie Book, Jan Moon, owner of Dreamcakes Bakery in Birmingham, Alabama, serves up a tantalizing lineup that sings the praises of the south. Fall in love with luscious fruit and cream pies, rustic tarts and galettes, down-home cobblers, high-yield slab pies and even topping and sauces. You’ll also find essential pie equipment and a handy chart for mixing and matching homemade crust with dreamy fillings. Dig in, y’all! Have a hankering for southern comfort food? Here’s a gracious plenty of classic southern favorites.
Notable recipe: Chocolate Fudge Pie with Praline Crumble offers a double dose of yum with a rich, chocolaty base accented with buttery homemade pralines.
The Cast-Iron Pies Cookbook
by Dominique DeVito
The magic of a cast-iron skillet has everyone buzzing. This remarkably resilient workhorse of a pan cooks up perfectly fried eggs and seared steaks. But pie? Yes, pie! In The Cast-Iron Pies Cookbook, Dominique Devito presents a collection of over 100 sweet and savory pies that put your cast-iron cookware to good use along with handy tips for easy care and cleaning. This is the perfect book for freshly minted and expert pie-makers—and skillet lovers—alike. Ready to lug that skillet out of the pantry or cupboard? Here are more cast-iron recipes to get your creative juices sizzling.
Notable recipe: Dominique’s Deep Dish Apple Pie takes the humble apple pie from simple to spectacular!
Pie Squared
by Cathy Barrow
Who ever said pie should be round? Step outside the pie plate with the slab pies in Pie Squared. These impressively large pies are ingenious because they’re baked in a sheet pan and cut into squares for easy serving. But it’s not just their shape that sets them apart. Cathy Barrow lets us in on all her secrets for creating a variety of sweet and savory fillings that are as inventive and delicious as the pie itself. You’ll also find creative crusts and tips for slicing, storing and freezing. Whether you’re looking for a fun twist on dinner or a sweet dessert for a potluck, these one-pan wonders won’t disappoint! Looking for more slab pies? Check out some of these baked beauties.
Notable recipe: Lemon Cream Slab Pie is every citrus-lovers dream come true. A Biscoff cookie crust topped with a fluffy lemon filling and dollops of whipped cream make a sweet ending to any meal.
For the Love of Pie
by Cheryl Perry and Felipa Lopez
Cheryl Perry and Felipa Lopez, owners of the Pie Corps bakery in Brooklyn, New York, proudly dub themselves pie-oneers. They believe a stellar homemade pie makes life more delicious, one happy bite at a time. In For the Love of Pie, they share this unbridled love through a selection of all-time favorite pies—sweet, savory, rustic, modern, fruit, nut, cream and more—in hopes you’ll find the perfect baked beauty. A list of baking tools, pastry treatments, clever tips and full-page photos round out this gorgeous cookbook. Longing for the return of crisp autumn days? Cozy up to these fall-inspired recipes when the weather turns cool.
Notable recipe: Pumpkin Pie with Brown Butter Crumbs is a delightful twist on the tradition. Infused with warm, cozy notes of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves, it’s guaranteed to steal the show.
Art of the Pie
by Kate McDermott
In Art of the Pie, author and pie instructor Kate McDermott takes you on a journey that begins in her childhood kitchen with her beloved Grandma Geeg at the helm, teaching young Kate lessons on pie…and lessons on life. Through Kate’s wit and wisdom, see how the humble pie is more than just a dessert to be savored—it’s healing, generous, adaptable and an ambassador of love to be shared across generations. Discover Kate’s secrets for the best homemade dough—including gluten-free recipes—followed by a bounty of from-scratch recipes for fillings, fruit pies, cream pies, nut pies and even savory supper pies. Gorgeous photos and extra tips and tidbits on the craft of baking make this story-filled book one to cherish.
Notable recipe: Banana Rum Caramel Coconut Pie is so good it should come with a warning label. One bite into its cool, smooth and sweet filling may cause sudden mouthwatering bliss. Looking for an extra fun treat to get the party started? Try these alcohol-spiked desserts that have a splash of rum, bourbon, brandy and other spirits.
Elegant Pie
by Karin Pfeiff-Boschek
A fold here, a twist there—with some simple but snappy finger work, anyone can create upper crust masterpieces that are as pretty to look at as they are to eat. In Elegant Pie, Karin Pfeiff-Boschek shares her secrets for elevating basic pie pastry into edible works of art. Eye-catching braids, lattice-woven tops, cutout pastries and scalloped edges are just the tip of the pie crust. With beginner, intermediate and advanced techniques, this book covers everything you need to know to make your own delicious—and beautiful—pie. Want more advice on how to make Instagram-worthy pie crust? Braid, flute and weave your way to the prettiest pie using these easy techniques as your inspiration.
Notable technique: Summer Flower Garden showcases a labyrinth of pastry-cut flowers wrapped around the pie’s edge.
If you loved these, check out these ice cream cookbooks next!
Originally Published: August 19, 2020
