Anchiy/istockphoto
Pie is as American as, well, you get the gist. According to a survey by the American Pie Council, pie is the number one food Americans want someone to bring to their dinner party. Apple and pumpkin pie may be considered universally “American”, but many states have their own signature pie, sometimes even celebrated on their own holiday.
Luckily, you don’t have to travel across the country to try these famous pies — read on for recipes that are local-approved.
The origins of the hearty salmon pie date back to the days of the Alaska gold rush, when there was a shortage of staples like sugar but plenty of fish to be found. Miners would typically make the pie around the campfire in a cast iron pot. Most similar to a savory quiche, the traditional recipe calls for potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and both sides of the salmon.
Recipe: Within the Wild
The dry and sunny Arizona climate is perfect for lemon trees, which stay in season for over half of the year there. Sunshine Lemon Pie takes advantage of Arizona’s abundance of lemons by using all parts of the fruit from the inside to out for an especially tangy taste. Try this recipe from Taste of Home, which is delicious no matter where you got your lemons from.
Recipe: Taste of Home
Colorado may be known for the Rocky Mountains and great skiing, but the town of Palisade is renowned for producing super sweet and juicy peaches. The peaches, which are in season all summer long, are perfect for baking into a peach pie during warmer months when you’re more likely to be able to get them at the grocery store. This recipe from Creative Culinary uses Palisade peaches for the best possible flavor.
Recipe: Creative Culinary
This famous dessert is a signature of the longstanding Hawaiian restaurant chain Duke’s. The concoction consists of layers of macadamia nut ice cream with a chocolate cookie crust, all topped off with fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts. Even if you can’t get to a Duke’s location, this recipe from Favorite Family Recipes brings Hawaii home.
Recipe: Favorite Family Recipes
Key lime pie is summer in a bite no matter where you live in the country. No surprise that the pie originates from Key West and has been the official state pie of Florida since 2006. A true key lime pie recipe uses actual key limes (or lime juice) for its distinctive tart and tangy flavor and is no-bake so that you don’t have to deal with a hot oven in warm weather. The recipe from The Pioneer Woman is as close to classic as it gets.
Recipe: The Pioneer Woman
The Hoosier Pie is the official pie of Indiana — it’s been a staple dessert in the state since the 1800s. The pie calls for a simple sugar and cream base that harkens back to the Great Depression era when supplies for more elaborate desserts were scarce. This version from the Food Network only uses a few pantry staples.
Recipe: Food Network
The Kentucky Derby introduced mint juleps, over-the-top hats, and horses in roses to America over 100 years ago, but you may not be as familiar with a luscious chocolate and walnut dessert with a splash of bourbon, the Derby Pie. You’d have to guess in order to recreate the secret original recipe that was created by Geroge Kern, the manager of the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky, and trademarked by his family. Southern Living’s version comes pretty close.
Recipe: Southern Living
It makes sense that blueberry pie is the official state dessert of Maine, considering over 98 percent of the nation’s blueberries are harvested there. Wild blueberries grow like crazy in Maine thanks to the uniquely acidic soil, a result of glaciers that covered the area over 10,000 years ago. Next time you’re at the store, look for wild Maine blueberries specifically and then make this straightforward and delicious blueberry pie recipe from Inspired Taste.
Recipe: Inspired Taste
As the official state dessert, Boston Cream Pie’s reach goes well beyond its city namesake — it even has its own holiday, Boston Cream Pie Day. Despite its name, it’s not actually a pie, but layers of sponge cake filled with vanilla custard and covered with chocolate frosting. The best recipe is still the original recipe, developed in Boston at the Parker House Hotel. Luckily they’re willing to share.
Recipe: Omni Parker House
Traverse City, Michigan is known as the cherry capital of the world, and there’s even a national cherry festival held in the city every July. It's probably nearly impossible to have a bad cherry pie in Michigan, but even if you’re out of state, there’s a good chance the cherries you’re using in your pie came from there. Try this simple recipe from All Recipes that you can put together in 10 minutes.
Recipe: All Recipes
This sweet and gooey pie was created by early Pennsylvania Dutch settlers who were known to be resourceful with pantry staples. Rumor is the pie gets its name because the sticky molasses filling would attract flies when it was left out to cool. This recipe from Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sticks to the basics like sugar, flour, eggs, and of course molasses.
Recipe: Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant
Pecans are a big deal in Texas — the state is a major producer of the nut. Pecans are also the state’s official nut and official tree, and pecan pie is Texas’s official dessert. So if anyone knows about what constitutes a good pecan pie, it’s probably a Texan. Try this recipe from Food and Wine that earned the prize for best pecan pie at the Texas State Fair 25 years ago and is still a winner.
Recipe: Food and Wine
