Apple Pie vs. Pumpkin Pie: A Thanksgiving Story

Thanksgiving is rich in history, tradition, and, most importantly, food that brings us together. For me, Thanksgiving would only feel complete, with apple and pumpkin pies gracing the dessert table. After all, they’re just as symbolic as the turkey and cranberry sauce. These two pies don’t just taste incredible; they carry centuries of tradition and history, making them classics of this beloved holiday. How did they earn their rightful place on our Thanksgiving tables? Here’s the story behind these iconic desserts.

Apple Pie: A Slice of History

Apple pie has a legacy far older than America itself. The first recorded apple pie recipe dates back to 1381 in England, where the dish was little more than apples baked in a pastry crust with spices like saffron. When European settlers came to America, they brought their love of apple pie. But here’s the catch—the apples they found growing in North America weren’t the sweet varieties we know today. Early colonists had to plant seeds and introduce new apple varieties to create the perfect pie apples.

By the time Thanksgiving began taking shape as an American tradition, apple pie had cemented itself as a comforting, versatile dessert. The abundance of apples in the fall made them a perfect ingredient for a seasonal feast. The warm aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and baked apples filling your home is more than just a scent; it’s a comforting embrace, a nostalgic reminder of family, childhood, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones. It’s like a warm blanket of memories, wrapping you in the essence of the holiday season. Apple pie is more than a dessert; it’s a link to history, a testament to our shared culinary roots.

Pumpkin Pie: A Truly American Creation

Unlike apple pie, pumpkin pie has its roots firmly planted in American soil. Native to North America, pumpkins were a staple ingredient for early settlers. When the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, the Wampanoag people introduced the Pilgrims to the many uses of pumpkin. It didn’t take long for colonists to experiment with the ingredients. By the early 17th century, recipes resembling pumpkin pie began to emerge. While the earliest versions didn’t look like today’s towering slices with flaky crusts (think more pumpkin “custards” baked in hollowed-out shells), the essence of what we now enjoy was already taking shape. Over time, regional variations of pumpkin pie emerged, each with its unique twist on the classic recipe.

Pumpkin pie became synonymous with Thanksgiving as the holiday grew in popularity, largely thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale—a magazine editor and Thanksgiving advocate who pushed for the national holiday. Her writings often emphasized pumpkin pie as a centerpiece of the Thanksgiving feast, helping solidify its place as a must-have dessert. Today, that creamy filling spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove feels like a warm hug, a flavor as iconic as the leaves turning golden in fall. We owe a lot to Hale for making pumpkin pie a Thanksgiving staple, and her influence is a reason to be grateful this holiday season.

Why These Pies Are More Than Dessert

Apple and pumpkin pies hold a special cultural significance beyond their flavors. These desserts reflect the values of Thanksgiving—gratitude, abundance, and togetherness. They were born from local and readily available ingredients, emphasizing the importance of making something memorable with what you have.

For many families, baking these pies is a cherished ritual. Whether you’re rolling out dough with your mom, mixing spiced pumpkin puree with your siblings, or pulling a family heirloom recipe card out of a tin box, these pies create opportunities for connection. They remind us of the generations before us who cherished the same traditions and give us a chance to pass them down. Baking these pies is not just about the pies; it’s about fostering family connections, creating lasting memories, and keeping the warmth of family traditions alive.

For me, pumpkin pie always reminds me of my grandmother. In an earlier blog post, I tried to duplicate and write about her recipe—handwritten on a yellowed index card. It’s not just about the taste; it’s about the memory of standing in her cozy kitchen, sneaking extra whipped cream when she wasn’t looking, and feeling like something as simple as pie could somehow hold so much love.

A Tradition That Keeps Giving

We aren’t just offering dessert when we serve apple and pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving. We’re partaking in a centuries-old tradition of celebrating seasonal abundance and showcasing the best that nature can provide. These pies remind us to be thankful for the food on our table and the people around it.

Both pies have stood the test of time, and it’s easy to see why. There’s something magical about sitting down with loved ones at the end of a meal and slicing into pumpkin’s silky texture or apple’s perfect layers of sweetness and spice. They symbolize everything Thanksgiving is supposed to be—a time to reflect, connect, and savor life’s simple pleasures.

Which One Will You Choose?

Do you lean toward the warm, spiced coziness of pumpkin pie, or is the sweet-and-tart charm of apple pie a must-have for your Thanksgiving? Whichever slice you choose (or maybe you’ll go for both—no judgment here), know this: you’re indulging in a piece of history, culture, and connection that’s brought people together for generations.

Happy Thanksgiving, and may your pies (and your plates) be full! 🍎🥧🎃

References:

The Traditional German Christmas Cookie: Lebkuchen -. https://www.homebaking.org/the-traditional-german-christmas-cookie-lebkuchen/