16 Popular Holiday Pies (and Mini-Tarts) You Don’t Want To Miss

Sneak Preview: These popular holiday pie recipes are so good they might make you famous–especially in your family. If you need some dessert ideas, these are some of the most popular pie recipes on this website, appropriate for any holiday dinner.

Swedish apple pie in backgroundPin
Crustless Apple Pie for people who don’t like to make crusts.

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Are you looking for a pie that will start a tradition? Maybe you want something different that will start a buzz. Or maybe you need something quick to throw together at the last minute. You’ll find all of these here.

This collection includes pies for year-round holidays and special occasions. Enjoy watching the video or browse below. I’ve also included a couple of crust recipes if you want to make that, too.


Most of these pies are also good for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other holiday. When summer rolls around, take a look at the fresh fruit pies and mini-tarts. Finally, if you want something different from a store-bought crust, I have included two of my favorite crust recipes at the end.

1. Mini Pumpkin Tartlets Recipe with the BEST Shortbread Crust

These taste like the traditional pumpkin pie we all expect, except they are neater to serve and easier to eat. Another point–the little tartlets don’t crack in the middle like the regular-size pies often do.

Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts with Shortbread Crusts
Bite-sized pumpkin pie tarts with a spiced custard filling and homemade shortbread crusts. You can shape and freeze the unbaked crusts ahead, then fill and bake when you’re ready to serve.
Get the recipe

2. A Crustless Apple Pie for People Who Don’t Like Making Crusts

Afraid of piecrusts? Try this apple pie with no crust. Apples are covered with a tasty cinnamon-spiced batter and baked until golden brown. You’ll love it with ice cream.

Crustless Apple Pie Recipe
Bake this Crustless Apple Pie in a standard pie crust dish. A sweet batter spread over the apples turns into a crust on top. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream along-side it.
Get the recipe

3. Grandma’s Pumpkin Custard Pie with Magical Layers

My dad was never a pumpkin pie lover, but he loved this pumpkin custard pie flavored with a pinch of nutmeg and cloves. Remember this pie when you only have a small amount of pumpkin puree leftover from another recipe.

Magical Layered Pumpkin Custard Pie: A Nostalgic Treat
Experience the magic of Grandma’s Layered Pumpkin Custard Pie! This lightly spiced, delicate dessert forms three layers as it bakes, offering a nostalgic twist on pumpkin pie.
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4. Easy French Silk Pie with a Pecan Cookie Crust

The nutty crust sets this recipe apart from all the other French Silk Pies in the world. Skip the whipped cream if you prefer, and sprinkle with chopped Heath or Skor bars.

French Silk Pie Recipe with a Pecan Cookie Crust
This French Silk Pie combines a creamy chocolate filling with a buttery pecan cookie crust. No whipped topping in the filling—just real eggs, butter, and melted chocolate for a rich, mousse-like texture. A sprinkle of chopped Heath or Skor bars adds a sweet, crunchy finish. A longtime family favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Get the recipe

5. Browned Butter Pecan Pie in a Crust That Won’t Stick to the Pan

Try this recipe for Browned Butter Pecan Pie and pick up some tricks for making a crust that won’t stick to the pan.

Browned Butter Pecan Pie with a No-Stick Crust
This Browned Butter Pecan Pie features a flaky, no-stick crust and a rich, toasty filling made with golden browned butter. Preheating the custard and pouring it into a warm crust improves texture and helps prevent sticking. Add a drizzle of melted chocolate for a festive touch.
Get the recipe

6. Mini Pecan Pie Tarts in a Shortbread Crust: A Pecan-Lover’s Dream

If a full-size pecan pie seems like a big commitment, try this mini version. They don’t take nearly as long to bake.

Mini Pecan Pie Tarts with the BEST Shortbread Crust
Mini Pecan Pie Tarts feature a gooey pecan filling baked in buttery shortbread crusts. These bite-size desserts are perfect for holidays and parties, and a drizzle of chocolate on top makes them extra festive.
Get the recipe

7. Microwave Pastry Cream: How To Make it Lump-Free

Skip the pudding mix and learn how to make a silky smooth cream pie filling in a microwave as good or better than making it on top of the stove. No worries about scorching, tempering eggs, lumps, etc. Try it out for yourself with a scrumptious banana cream pie or a coconut cream pie.

Microwave Pastry Cream
Use a microwave to make this smooth vanilla custard or pastry filling without any lumps.
Get the recipe

8. Speedy Microwave Chocolate Pie with a Graham Cracker Crust

This Speedy Microwave Chocolate Cream Pie with a Graham Cracker Crust is appropriate for any celebration or just because. Using the microwave makes a quick filling with no chance of scorching.

MIcrowave Chocolate Cream Pie
Whip up this chocolate cream pie with a filling made in the microwave, then nestled into a graham cracker pie crust. Top with whipped cream and more chocolate.
Get the recipe

9. Zebra Pie: Surprise Them with Unexpected Stripes (+ Video)

Zebra Pie is a fun layered chocolate and vanilla cream pie recipe in a dark chocolate crumb crust. A video is included to show you how to make the stripes.

No-Bake Zebra Cream Pie (Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding Layers)
This playful pudding pie features alternating layers of homemade chocolate and vanilla cream inside a crumb crust. The filling cooks in the microwave—no tempering or double boiler needed. Chill well before slicing to show off the zebra stripes.
Get the recipe

10. Mini Fruit Tarts Recipe with Pastry Cream and the BEST Shortbread Crust

This recipe is what you need for your next celebration whether it’s a wedding, shower, party, or reception. These tarts couldn’t be easier to serve and eat. This is the most popular pie in this list.

Ultimate Mini Fruit Tarts with the Best Shortbread Crust
These shortbread-crusted tarts are filled with a light, creamy custard made in the microwave (no need for a double boiler), and then topped with the fresh fruit of your choice.
Get the recipe

11. Easy No-Bake Fresh Nectarine Pie

Depending on where you live, this fruit pie would make a good Fourth of July pie. Use peaches if you prefer.

No-Bake Fresh Nectarine Pie Recipe
A beautiful glaze showcases fresh nectarines or peaches in this summertime pie.
Get the recipe

12. Chocolate Ganache Tartlets with the BEST Homemade Shortbread Crusts

Chocolate lovers will go crazy for these easy tartlets with pure and unadulterated chocolate flavor. Don’t forget the whipped cream. There’s a video if making the crust sounds scary.

Mini Chocolate Ganache Tarts with Homemade Shortbread Crusts
These mini chocolate tarts or tartlets feature chocolate or vanilla-flavored homemade shortbread crusts. Fill them with a rich but effortless bittersweet chocolate ganache.
Get the recipe

13. Mini Cheesecake Tarts: Mascarpone is the Secret Ingredient

Change the fruit to suit your tastes or color scheme. Combining fresh fruit, Mascarpone cream in the filling (or substitute cream cheese), and a homemade shortbread crust is unbeatable.

Sweet Mascarpone Cheesecake Mini Tarts
A no-bake filling featuring mascarpone cheese makes these two-bite cheesecake mini-tarts easy to make ahead of time. Garnish with the fruit of your choice.
Get the recipe

15. Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe with Jello in the Glaze

Fresh Strawberry Pie with Jello in the Glaze is a summer treat you won’t be able to resist. An easy pat-in-the-pan cookie crust recipe is included.

16. Easy Mini Lemon Tarts with the BEST Shortbread Crust

This recipe will satisfy any lemon addiction. Pull it out when lemons are plentiful and less expensive. These tarts have the same fabulous shortbread crust all the other mini tarts boast.

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Sweet Mini Lemon Tarts with Homemade Shortbread Crusts
These mini lemon tarts start with buttery homemade shortbread crusts you can bake ahead and freeze (or use store-bought crusts to save time). Fill with a tangy-smooth mixture of lemon curd and crème fraîche (or sour cream or Greek yogurt), then chill until set. Garnish with berries and a shiny glaze just before serving.
Get the recipe

Favorite Pie Crust Recipes When You Want To Make it From Scratch

If you’re a beginning pie baker, I suggest you start with the second recipe. It’s a bit easier to handle. If you love a super flaky, buttery crust, try the yogurt pie crust.

Flaky Yogurt Pie Crust Recipe
This recipe for an all-butter pie crust with unflavored yogurt produces an incredibly tasty, flaky, and tender crust that bakes up beautifully, even without a filling.
Get the recipe
Flaky Pie Crust with Shortening and Butter (Less Shrinkage)
This flaky pie crust uses a blend of shortening and butter for structure and flavor. Mix by hand or food processor, then roll out on a pastry cloth for easy handling. Great for blind baking or any filled pie.
Get the recipe

Questions? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! 

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