3 Classic Thanksgiving Dessert Pies

Tis the season for pies! It’s fall, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Apples are in abundance and who can resist an apple pie baking in an oven. Baking a pie doesn’t have to be intimidating, believe me you can take shortcuts, I do.

For whatever reason it’s the making of the dough that intimidates people. When I was newly married my tried and true pastry for pie crust was from and old Betty Crocker cookbook. I just followed the directions and whipped it up in my food processor and it came out perfect every time.

But now that I’m older I’m not as adventurous and I found a store-bought pie crust that I love using, ( Trader Joes’s ) it saves me a lot of time and clean up which makes me happy, but by all means if baking is your thing, you can’t beat a homemade crust!

The best part, about making this deep dish apple pie was the fact that I made it in a 10 inch spring form pan, which gives you plenty of room to pile on the apples, I’ll never use a pie plate again!

Recipe for my Deep Dish Apple Pie will be listed below in the recipe card.

Next up a delicious, No Fuss Pumpkin Pie. So simple to make especially using a store-bought pie crust, no mixer used, all you need is a whisk to bring it all together.

In a large bowl add 1 -15 oz. can of organic pumpkin puree, 1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of salt.  Whisk together til smooth.

Pour  the mix into a 9 -1/2 inch  un-baked pie crust and place in a 425F pre-heated oven. Bake for 15 minutes then reduce to 350F and bake 30-40 minutes depending on your oven. Crust should be deep golden and center when poked comes out clean.

Let it cool completely before serving but tastes best refrigerated. Serve with whipped cream, delicious!

( I used Trader Joe’s pie crust).

 

You can make this pumpkin pie the day before and keep it refrigerated, it tasted even better the next day!

This is my Vintage Coconut Custard Pie, I have to make it every year at Thanksgiving, it’s tradition in my house.

So wonderful with a nice cup of coffee!

Deep Dish Apple Pie
 
Made in a spring form so you can pile on the apples!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Ingredients
  • 10 inch spring form pan, buttered sides and bottom
  • 2 prepared pie crusts, for top and bottom, store-bought or homemade (I used Trader Joe's)
  • 5 or so large apples, peeled and sliced thin and sprinkled with lemon juice to keep from browning
  • Note: ( It really depends how big your apples are, I used honey crisp) use enough to really fill up your pan and over the top a bit because the apples will shrink down in the baking process).
  • ¾ cup sugar, or more to taste
  • ⅓ cup flour
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoons, cinnamon or more to taste
  • unsalted butter to dot the top of the apples
  • 1 egg yolk with 2 teaspoons water to brush over the top
Instructions
  1. Butter the sides and bottom of your spring form pan and place it on a rimmed cookie sheet so nothing leaks out while baking.
  2. Place your bottom crust gently into the pan pushing down on the bottom and up the sides, take your time and cover every part leaving a little overhang.
  3. In a large bowl add the sliced apples, cinnamon, salt, sugar and flour, mix together gently and thoroughly.
  4. Place apple mixture into the pan, then dot all over with unsalted butter.
  5. Now place the second crust on top and crimp the edges together, then make some vent slits on top.
  6. Now mix your egg yolk with the water and brush it all over the top of the crust.
  7. Place into a 450F oven for 10 minutes then reduce to 350F for an hour, to an hour and 10, but ovens do vary so watch your own oven carefully.
  8. Cool it down on a rack and don't cut into it if it's still steaming hot.
  9. Delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side..

 

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Creamy Sausage And Spinach Butternut Squash Pasta

squash and sausage pasta

Looking for a cozy fall and winter pasta dinner? Something that’s filled with roasted and caramelized butternut squash, hearty Italian sausage and the freshness of wilted spinach.

To take it up a notch there’s a silky sauce made of cream, garlic and parmesan cheese which blankets all the other ingredients.

fall pasta ingredients

This pasta dish is truly simple to make, just roast the squash ahead of time and brown your sausage. I like picking a pasta shape that’s about a medium size, but the size is up to you and your liking.  This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or even a special occasion.

butternut squash pasta

There’s so much flavor in every bite, plus all the ingredients really compliment each other. It’s rustic and elegant all at the same time.

creamy squash and pasta

If you want to serve something along side this I would suggest a bright, crisp salad, something like an arugula salad with lemon and olive oil with some shaved parmesan on top, this would counteract the velvety richness of that luxurious  sauce.

Stay in and make this warm and cozy meal, you’ll be very happy.

5.0 from 1 reviews
Creamy Sausage And Spinach Butternut Squash Pasta
 
A cozy fall and winter pasta dish filled with butternut squash, sausage and spinach, nestled in a decadent cream sauce.
Author:
Recipe type: Pasta
Ingredients
  • 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed into bite size chunks
  • 8 oz. pasta of your choice, preferably nothing long or too small
  • ½ to 1 lb. Italian sausage, out of the casing, spicy or mild, your choice.
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups of fresh spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup or so of grated Parmigiano Reggiano (more for finishing and serving)
  • butter and olive oil
  • reserve pasta water
  • sage leaves for garnish
Instructions
  1. Roast the butternut squash tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper at 400F. Set aside
  2. In a large skillet, crumble the sausage and brown it to fully cooked. Remove the sausage, set aside and remove any excess oil.
  3. In same skillet add a knob of butter and some olive oil and let it melt.
  4. Boil your pasta al' dente, and save some pasta water.
  5. Toss in the garlic until golden then pour in the cream and let it simmer until you see bubbles along the edges of the pan.
  6. Next toss in the spinach so it can wilt.
  7. When cream starts to thicken add the sausage and the butternut squash.
  8. Lastly, add in your cooked and drained pasta to the mixture, tossing gently and adding a splash of pasta water if the mixture seems too thick.
  9. That's it, enjoy!

 

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Tropea Onion Tarte Tatin

savory tarte tatin

I never realized how simple and fast it was to make this savory tarte tatin. It’s made with store bought puff pastry and vegetables of your choice, in this case I was using Tropea onions that were imported from Calabria Italy.

My local Italian grocery store  ( Caputo’s ) had them there, imported straight from Calabria, and I was lucky enough to grab some before they were all gone.

rope of Tropea onions

Tropea onions are naturally sweet and grown in the coastal soils of Calabria Italy. They have low acidity and a natural sweetness, and I love their torpedo shape.

I realize you might not come across this particular onion but you can make a savory tarte tatin with other onion varieties as well and it will come out just as delicious, it’s all about the rustic process.

A savory tarte tatin works well with any onion variety, you could also use shallots, tomatoes, fennel, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, even butternut squash works perfectly.

simmered Tropea onions

The onions are first simmered in a pan with butter, honey and balsamic vinegar, simmered together the mixture starts to caramelize and become concentrated. Then it’s time to top it off with a blanket of puff pastry and finish off in the oven, it will be all done when the pastry is golden and crisp.

It’s baked just like that, upside down with the pastry on top, because when it’s finished you’re going to flip it over onto a serving plate and the pastry will then be the crust on the bottom.

tarte tatin

When turned out the onions, in this case become the star. All jammy and glazed with the caramelized juices oozing all over and the look is spectacular!

sliced tarte tatin

A tarte tatin is rustic and easy to make and the possibilities are endless (as I stated with different veggie as well.)

I topped mine with dollops of honey infused goat cheese and thyme.

Serve for lunch or a light dinner along with a simple salad, so delicious.

Enjoy!

Tropea Onion Tarte Tatin
 
Rustic and simple to make, this onion tarte tatin turns out spectacular!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 4 Tbl. butter
  • 3 large Tropea onions, cut in half or enough to fill your skillet snugly.
  • 3 Tbl. honey
  • 3 Tbl. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry, thawed
  • goat cheese, optional
Instructions
  1. NOTE: I used a 10 inch oven proof skillet. I also used Tropea onions. I realize you might not come across them, but if you like that elongated shape try it with shallots or even sliced regular onions or whatever vegetable you like, the process works.
  2. Peel and slice your onion in half keeping the root intact.
  3. Melt your butter in your oven proof skillet and place your onions cut side down in your desired pattern, make them nice and snug.
  4. Let them simmer on medium low for around 10 minutes.
  5. Add the honey and balsamic vinegar and as it thickens start to baste the onions over top.
  6. Make sure the onions aren't sticking to the bottom.
  7. Place your puff pastry over the top and tuck around the edges of the onions thn making a few slits on top for steam to escape.
  8. Bake at 400F for around 30 minutes when pastry is a nice golden brown.
  9. Remove skillet from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes or so.
  10. Place your serving plate snugly around the pastry, holding with your hand while you flip it over to release the tarte.
  11. Top it off with dollops of goat cheese and thyme, optional.

 

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