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The pie extravaganza of 2011 has finally come to a close. I say “finally”…but actually, looking back, I’m amazed at how quickly the year went by!
I whipped up a pie a week from scratch and posted the recipe and step-by-step instructions every Monday. My goal was to inspire you to get in your kitchen, get creative and be brave. And I tried to do the same myself. Before this year I’d never made many of these pies. They were all dessert pies with all kind of fillings. Fruit, nuts…and many, many creamy concoctions in between.
It seems that I’m addicted to baking and creating delicious desserts—but I’ve figured out that I don’t have to eat them all by myself! Family, friends…and more than a few fireman happily served as taste-testers. I’ve discovered that “sharing the (pie) love” is as fulfilling as obtaining crust perfection! Giving away baked goods is becoming one of my favorite pastimes.
My wonderful spouse, aka “Traveling Husband” served as senior taste tester whenever he was in town and never complained once about trying another new pie. He’s such a great guy! Always willing to take one for the pie team.
We thought it would be fun to put photos of all the pies together into a short music video. I made all the pies, shot the photos and selected a great piece of “as American as apple pie” music from one of my favorite artists,violinist Ruth McGinnis. I had the opportunity to meet Ruth in Nashville several years before she passed away from ovarian cancer. She was a talented lovely person and is greatly missed. Check out her website for more information about her CD’s and books.
Traveling Husband put on his video editor hat for this project. We love collaborating on projects like this so you’ll probably see more videos in the year to come.
As I said earlier, several of these pies were new to me. Although I thought they were all good, some were incredible! Traveling Husband and I tried to pick our 10 favorites. His list had a few mine didn’t and visa-versa …but there several we both absolutely loved. In the end, our “Top Ten” list has 20 pies on it.
Check the 52 Pies tab for all the recipes and step-by-step instructions:
1. Fresh Blueberry Pie was hands down our favorite pie. It was fantastic.
2. Skillet Apple Pie – Traveling Husband would not let me give this one away. In fact he did not travel very far from this pie. It was totally delicious!
3. Lemon Chess Pie – Where have you been all my life? I love the blend of sweet and tart flavors and will make this pie for years to come.
The rest of our favorites are in no particular order (mostly because we could not agree). They’re all good solid recipes with Sticky Toffee Pudding Apple Pie the only one in the challenging range.
Sticky Toffee Pudding Apple Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Lemon Ice Box Pie
Summer Berry Pie
Creme Brulee Pie
Blackberry Pie
Chocolate Raspberry Pie
Margarita Pie with a Pretzel Crust
Fresh Peach Pie
Key Lime Pie
German Chocolate Pie
Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie
Pear Crumb Pie
Old Fashioned Oatmeal Pie
Pumpkin Pie
Classic Pecan Pie
Thanks so much for following along on our pie adventure. I’ve had a lot of questions about what I’m planning for 2012. Some have suggested I bake a different cookie each week. Others have asked about cakes, cupcakes, etc. I guess you can check back next Monday to see what’s on the dessert menu at Saving Room for Dessert!
Have a blessed New Year and happy baking!
Shiloh Barkley says
One of my favorite pies is mince meat. Ever heard of that? Anyways…now I want to make some pies!! I made one successful tomato pie this summer and a tomato corn pie that was so so and a strawberry/rhubarb pie that was so so. I like pies in the fall…so I'll have to make some of these!!!
thecompletecookbook says
Have an awesome 2012 Tricia.<br />Eagerly awaiting to see next Monday what is in store for the year.<br />:-) Mandy
Em (Wine and Butter) says
Oh I love it!! <br /><br />I'm sort of so mad at myself that I never got around to doing the Amaretto Pie BUT my husband has now made me promise we will make the margarita pie within the next week (ie before we leave the states). Wohoo! <br /><br />ALSO you should also feel really proud of the pie baking accomplishment altogether, my dear. Im always hopping around between different courses,
Hungry Jenny says
Tricia, hands down, you are the Pie Queen. Your pies always look so grand and pretty! One of my favs was your Summer Berry Pie with the delicate little pastry stars :-)<br /><br />Can't wait to see what you have lined up for 2012…!<br /><br />Hungry Jenny x
Gloria says
Tricia look amazing,Im following you! gloria
Anonymous says
Tricia,<br /><br />I work with Ed. He has brought in pies for some of us to sample. I sent him an e-mail and asked him where my piece of Choc PB pie was. My favorite! I asked him if he ate it all LOL! Thank you so much for baking these pies. I know I tried choc pecan, and a blueberry (I believe w/goat cheese) pie. They were both delicious. I'm sure I had a couple more, but those stand
Angie's Recipes says
Happy 2012 Tricia!<br />Great PIE video.
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow says
Tricia, my internet connection is iffy at best so I wanted to say how much I've enjoyed your weekly pie production and how MUCH I wish I were your next door neighbor to have helped "test" these delicious pies!! then I am off to go see the video!! blessings to you and your dear family! It is going to be a great 2012 (especially with that new little one! 😉 ) tanna
Sue/the view from great island says
The video was amazing! I now have to go back and see all the pies I missed…what an accomplishment! Happy 2012 Tricia.
McMGrad89 says
Tricia, I enjoyed seeing all the pies and now that things are settling a little will finally be able to enjoy a few of them as well. Happy 2012. Here's to more recipes and fun in the kitchen.