Holiday Pies and Mini Tarts Worth Sharing
Sneak Preview: Find a dessert for your holiday table, from pumpkin and pecan pies to microwave cream pies and mini tarts with homemade shortbread crusts. Choose a family favorite, individual servings, or a fresh fruit dessert for a summer celebration.
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When I’m planning a holiday dessert table, I like to include something familiar and something for the person who wants “just a sliver.” A full-size pie takes care of the first request. Mini tarts are my favorite answer to the second.
These are pies and tarts I’ve shared over the years, including my dad’s favorite pumpkin custard pie, cream pies with microwave fillings, and little tarts made with my standby shortbread crust. I’ve grouped them below to help you choose, with two homemade pie crust options at the end.
Pumpkin, Apple, and Pecan Favorites
Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts with Shortbread Crusts
These Mini Pumpkin Pie Tarts are individual-sized versions of classic pumpkin pie, baked in tender shortbread crusts. Allow about 4 hours from start to serving, including chilling, freezing, and cooling time (but it doesn’t have to be continuous).
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Magical Layered Pumpkin Custard Pie
This old-fashioned pumpkin custard pie bakes into three distinct layers with only a small amount of pumpkin puree. Lightly spiced and delicately sweet, it's a unique family recipe that's lighter than traditional pumpkin pie and perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Browned Butter Pecan Pie Recipe
This Brown Butter Pecan Pie Recipe combines toasted pecans and rich browned butter for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor than traditional pecan pie. The filling stays smooth and sliceable, making this pie a standout dessert for holidays and special occasions.
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Mini Pecan Pie Tarts with a Buttery 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.
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Crustless Apple Pie Recipe
This baked apple dessert comes together in one dish with simple ingredients and no rolling or chilling required. The finished pie is lightly crisp on top, tender underneath, and best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
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Chocolate and Cream Pies
French Silk Pie 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.
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Microwave Chocolate Cream Pie
Make a silky homemade chocolate cream pie filling in the microwave, then pour it into a graham cracker or baked pastry crust. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired.
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Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding Pie (Zebra Cream Pie)
The filling cooks in the microwave—no double boiler needed. Chill at least 4 hours before slicing to show off the zebra stripes.
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Green Parrot Chocolate Fudge Pie (Flourless-Style with Pecans)
This Green Parrot Chocolate Fudge Pie has a dense, flourless-style texture with rich chocolate flavor and toasted pecans. It’s easy to mix by hand and bakes in under 40 minutes.
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Want to make a banana or coconut cream pie? My microwave pastry cream makes a smooth homemade filling without a double boiler.
Mini Tarts for Sharing
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. Yield varies with the size of your tart molds.
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Chocolate Ganache Mini Tarts with Homemade Shortbread Crusts
These mini-tarts feature chocolate or vanilla-flavored homemade shortbread crusts. Fill them with a rich but effortless bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate ganache. Garnish with fresh fruit or whipped cream.
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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.
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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, then chill until set. Garnish with berries and a shiny glaze just before serving.
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Fruit Pie for Summer Holidays
No-Bake Fresh Nectarine Pie Recipe
Fresh nectarines (or peaches) are coated in a glossy microwave-made glaze and tucked into a baked pie crust for an easy summer dessert.
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Homemade Pie Crusts
Flaky Yogurt Pie Crust Recipe
This flaky yogurt pie crust combines cold butter and unflavored yogurt for a tender, flavorful crust that works beautifully for fruit pies, cream pies, quiche, and savory pot pies. The yogurt helps create delicate layers while keeping the dough easy to handle.
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Beginner’s Flaky Pie Crust with Butter and Shortening
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.
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