Most Popular Thanksgiving Pies in Every State

Individuals often seek a dessert to balance the feelings of fullness caused by a savory and heavy meal, particularly in a Thanksgiving feast. During this holiday season, pies are considered the most common sweet treat in every state in the country. The question is, how did it become considered a vital part of their traditions?

(Photo : Unsplash/Timothy Wolff)

On Thanksgiving, there is always a place for a little dessert, particularly a piece of pie, regardless of how much turkey and mashed potatoes we consume. It is probably as traditional as the turkey itself. The tradition of making a pie, whether it be apple pie, pumpkin pie, or sweet potato pie, is something that every family does differently.

British immigrants first introduced pies to the newly created United States of America in the late 18th century. These immigrants carried their long-standing practice of meat and fruit-filled pastry pies with them. Moreover, pies have become the traditional dessert for Thanksgiving in the United States since the 19th century.

Sarah Josepha Hale, a reformer, novelist, and editor, lobbied for the United States president and other lawmakers to recognize Thanksgiving as a holiday celebrated in the United States. In her abolitionist novel Northwood: Life North and South, published in 1827, Hale devoted an entire chapter to the holiday of Thanksgiving. Thus, the central focus of the chapter was her recipe for pumpkin pie, which served as a source of motivation for many American chefs to incorporate pumpkin pie into their Thanksgiving celebrations. Even though pumpkin pie is still considered a Thanksgiving staple, it is frequently served alongside other desserts.

Most Popular Thanksgiving Pies in the United States

You might be surprised by the results of the Google Trends data that displays the Thanksgiving pies that have received the most searches in each state. Some states, such as Kansas and Oregon, have a savory pie that is the most popular in their respective states. As mentioned, Kansas is keeping things crunchy with a Frito chili pie, and Oregon is known for its love of tamale pie that residents enjoy eating. There is just one state that represents shoofly pie, and that is Pennsylvania.

On the other hand, the fact that Google places sweet potato pie under the savory category is reportedly another revelation; it should come as no surprise that the Southeast is the ultimate destination for this dish. Delaware and Maryland are two states that will consume a slice of sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving, in addition to the states of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina this year.

Accordingly, pies made with fruit and custard are the most common pie all throughout the world. However, the precise type of pie can vary from place to place. Key lime, pumpkin, and cream pie are some of the most popular custard desserts ever, while apple pie and cherry pie are at the top of the list of favorite fruity desserts.

Furthermore, the key lime pie is a favorite in the mountain states. The fruit and custard pie is a favorite in the Midwest, and the most desired dessert in Louisiana is the Mississippi mud pie. Nevertheless, some less popular pies, including shoofly pie and grape pie, were the most loved desserts in Pennsylvania and Arizona.