National Pie Day (January 23)
Check out the weird holiday National Pie Day on January 23. Learn the history of National Pie Day, as well as get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on January 23 is National Pie Day. Check out the other weird January holidays!
History of National Pie Day
In 1986, the American Pie Council began this weird holiday in order to celebrate Crisco’s 75th anniversary of “serving food to families everywhere.” Although other sources claim that Charlie Papazian created National Pie Day in the 1970s and placed it on his birthday, it didn’t become well-known until the American Pie Council adopted it.
In reality, pies have been in existence since around 10,000 BC in Egypt. This time period was also known as the Egyptian Neolithic period or the New Stone Age. Evidence of pies (aka flat round flour cakes with honey) were discovered in the tomb of the pharaoh Ramesses II.
We also see pie recipes in the ancient Roman times. The first known pie recipe was for a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie. Pie was more for meat than dessert. In those times, the crust was only there to hold in the filling – no one actually ate it.
Then pies came to England in the 12th century, still filled primarily with meat. The fact that you could never be sure about what was inside created a plethora of jokes and horror stories, including “Sweeney Todd.”
It was when the Puritans and other English settlers came to the New World in the 16th century that pies were introduced to North America. We traditionally serve sweet pies at Thanksgiving, but they actually weren’t even at the “First Thanksgiving!”
Sweet pies, including pumpkin pie, didn’t become popular until the 1800s, even though pumpkin pie first made its appearance in a cookbook in 1675.
In 1968, McDonald’s introduced its apple pie in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Pie exists all over the world, but the United States especially has a warm relationship with the baked dessert. Whether it’s a symbol of the 4th of July and summer – being “as American as apple pie” – or the 1972 famous country song by Don McLean called “American Pie,” there are quite a lot of cultural references to this delicious treat.
Throwing a pie in a person’s face has been a traditional comedic routine since Ben Turpin got one in the face in 1909 for the film Mr. Flip.
There are several other pie-Themed films, including Labor Day with Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, Waitress with Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion, Blazing Saddles featuring Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, and Julia & Julia with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep.
Some popular pie-themed songs include “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops, “Wild Honey Pie” by the Beatles, “Custard Pie” by Led Zeppelin, “Sweet Potato Pie,” by James Taylor, “Cherry Pie” by Warrant, “Apple Pie a la Mode” by Destiny’s Child, and “Where’s My Apple Pie?” by Joan Baez.
Ideas for National Pie Day
Eat some pie! You can have some of these dessert pies or these savory pies, or you can give the recipes below a try!
No-Bake Nutella Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
This dessert recipe for a no-bake Nutella cheesecake with an Oreo crust will make your mouth water! Satistfy your sweet tooth on National Pie Day with this delicious no-bake Nutella cheesecake with an Oreo crust that is made from scratch!
Decadent Instant Pot Passion Fruit Pie
This tangy Passion Fruit Pie is super easy to make and delicious. The pie bakes in the pressure cooker (instant pot) and is ready in no time for National Pie Day.
Instant Pot Key Lime Pie
This Instant Pot Key Lime Pie is an easy, creamy pie with a graham cracker crust and a zesty lime custard filling that’s perfect for National Pie Day.
Lemon Icebox Pie
Lemon icebox pie is a classic, no-bake dessert perfect for National Pie Day. Made with a graham cracker crust and silky lemon filling, this refreshing pie is a warm weather must.
Dixie's Pecan Pie Cobbler
Dixie’s Pecan Pie Cobbler takes pecan pie to a whole new level on National Pie Day! Pecan Pie Cobbler has two crusts and is filled with custard and pecans.
Cherry Rum Pie
This recipe for Cherry Rum Pie is the perfect popular recipe for National Pie Day!
Maple Pecan Pie (No Refined Sugar)
Do you like pecan pie? There’s no reason to make it with corn syrup and refined sugar when using maple syrup and unrefined sugar is so delicious. The maple flavor is not overpowering nor is it overly sweet. Maple Pecan Pie is simply delicious for National Pie Day!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie
This no bake chocolate peanut butter pretzel pie is perfect for anyone who loves a bit of savory with their sweets! A pretzel crust is filled with 2 layers of peanut butter and topped with a rich chocolate ganache and more pretzels! You can make this no bake pie in advance of National Pie Day, making it a great dessert recipe for entertaining.
The Easiest No-Bake Millionaire Pie Recipe
No-Bake Millionaire Pie is made with a graham cracker pie crust, cherries, pineapple, coconut, and nuts for a sweet treat that is creamy, cold and satisfying. This iis a favorite dessert recipe for National Pie Day since it is so fast and easy to make with very little prep time. If you like ambrosia salad, you will love this!
Strawberry Pie
Fresh strawberry pie is perfect for National Pie Day! It’s the perfect pie, with a creamy, not-to-sweet, filling, mounds of fresh berries and a homemade glaze.
Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Covered Pretzel Crust
A tall glass of milk or a strong cup of coffee is all that you need on National Pie Day to accompany this easy no bake Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Covered Pretzel Crust.
Filo Pastry Mince Pies - A Xmas Treat
This Filo Pastry Mince Pies recipe iso delicious! Traditional British mince pies are hard to beat when they’re home made… make this recipe this National Pie Day and see just how popular they are!
Brazilian Guava And Salted Caramel Pie
Ready for a pie that whips up fast and tastes fantastic? With only a handful of ingredients making this Brazilian Guava and Salted Caramel Pie on National Pie Day is a breeze even for an inexperienced baker.
Water Pie
Six simple pantry staples come together to make magic in a pie plate with this vintage water pie recipe. Learn how to (re)make this sweet Depression-era dessert on National Pie Day, and never be without a sweet treat after dinner again.
Saskatoon Berry Pie Filling and Sauce
This Saskatoon berry pie filling and sauce is cooked ahead, on the stove top, allowing time for the berries to soften and the flavors to merge, giving your pie a richer, thicker and tastier filling to enjoy on National Pie Day! The hint of almond also lends a delicious depth of flavor that's unlike any other Saskatoon berry pie out there! It also makes a great sauce for topping cheesecake, yogurt, ice cream or filling pierogies!
Mom's Sicilian Ricotta Pie
A tradition at Easter time but delicious enjoyed any time of year especially on National Pie Day, this Sicilian Ricotta Pie recipe is an authentic tried and true recipe.
Concord Grape Pie
This annual treat is anticipated by many Upstate New Yorkers, and for some home cooks lworth the time-consuming effort it takes to put one together. Give it a try on National Pie Day!
Greek spinach and feta filo pie
A spinach feta filo pie is perfect for every occasion from lunch with friends or an easy midweek meal for National Pie Day. Everyone will love the golden, crispy layers of pastry and the healthy and delicious spinach and feta filling inside!
The best Pumpkin Pie recipe ever
This is hands-down the best Pumpkin Pie recipe ever, seriously! Once you try it on National Pie Day, you'll use it every holiday!
Steak & Stilton Pie (Nottinghamshire Pie)
Steak and stilton pie is a crowd-pleasing and easy to assemble recipe that is packed full of exciting flavours. Also known as Nottinghamshire pie, this potato topped pie combines beef steak with leeks and Blue Stilton cheese to create a particularly tasty and satisfying dish that would be a perfect dinner on National Pie Day.
Keto Banoffee Pie (Gluten Free)
This keto banoffee pie is heaven on a spoon, espeically on National Pie Day! With a gluten-free almond flour crust and a silky-smooth sugar free caramel layer, it has oodles of banana flavor thanks to my secret ingredient, banana extract.
Easy Shoofly Pie {Pennsylvania Dutch Recipe} - Simply Stacie
Shoofly Pie is a rich and decadent vintage dessert everyone loves to eat on National Pie Day! This sticky sweet pie is perfect for holiday dinners and easy to make with just 7 ingredients.
No-Bake Butterscotch Apple Pie With Snickers
This No-Bake Butterscotch Apple Pie With Snickers is about to send you over the edge on National Pie Day! With a few simple ingredients, this delicious recipe is definitely not grandma’s apple pie!
Rhubarb Impossible Pie
This very easy Rhubarb Impossible Pie comes together in a flash, which is perfect for National Pie Day. The custard filling is made in the blender and a crust magically appears on the bottom while baking.
Strawberry Pretzel Pie
This Strawberry Pretzel Pie has a salty pretzel crust that balances the sweet cheesecake filling and delicious fresh strawberry gelatin topping perfectly! Each bite is heaven - give a try on National Pie Day!
No-Bake Strawberry Jello Pie Recipe (SUPER EASY!)
A delicious no-bake strawberry Jello pie made on National Pie Day with Strawberry Jello, Cool Whip, fresh strawberries and a ready-made graham cracker crust.
Gluten Free Coconut Cream Pie
Easy Coconut Cream Pie features a flaky pie crust, coconut custard, toasted coconut, and fresh whipped cream. It’s a coconut-lovers dream come true on National Pie Day. Make it with a regular or gluten free pie crust.
Homemade Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Chicken Pot Pie is a great idea for comfort food on National Pie Day! Tender chicken, vegetables, and gravy, baked into a flaky pastry crust. This homemade, easy chicken pot pie recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken, too!
Grandma’s Canned Apple Pie Filling
The recipe for this delicious canned apple pie filling has been handed down for generations. It makes a perfect dessert for National Pie Day or any occasion that needs an apple pie.
Filipino Egg Pie Recipe (with step-by-step photos)
Filipino egg pie is a rich, creamy custard baked in a buttery pie crust. A childhood favourite of many Filipinos, this egg pie will transport you back to the Philippines at first bite. Enjoy some on National Pie Day!
The Best Cheesy Spinach Squares
Cheesy and Delicious, this Spinach Square recipe is a great way to get your kids to eat spinach on National Pie Day! This kid friendly take on the traditional Greek spinach pie (Spanakopita) is incredibly tasty and relatively simple to make.
Easy Blueberry Pie with Frozen Blueberries
This is an easy and delicious homemade blueberry pie with frozen blueberries, perfect on National Pie Day when blueberries are out of season. The filling is thick and flavorful, encased in a buttery and flaky pie crust.
Gluten-free Dutch Apple Pie with Snickerdoodle Streusel
This gluten-free Dutch Apple Pie is a sweet and cinnamon-spiced apple pie baked in a gluten-free snickerdoodle cookie crust. This is an amazing combo of snickerdoodle cookies, apple crisp and apple pie! You'll want to have it more than just on National Pie Day!
Fried Apple Pies
These classic southern-style fried apple pies are easy to make and so very fun to serve and eat. Just follow the step-by-step instructions and you’ll be making them all the time, not just on National Pie Day!
Lucky Charms Pudding Pie
This easy Lucky Charms Pudding Pie is a magically delicious sweet treat on National Pie Day for your favorite marshmallow fans. Here’s how to make it!
Huckleberry Pie Recipe (using wild huckleberries)
This Huckleberry Pie Recipe is as gorgeous as it is tasty. It's the perfect National Pie Day treat and the last huckleberry pie recipe you'll need! You'll love the fact that it's not overly sweet, like so many other pies are, yet still bursting with huckleberry flavor! Make sure to save some huckleberries to make huckleberry wine!
No-Bake/Chilled Raspberry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust!
Have you ever had a homemade chilled Raspberry Pie? If not, give a try this National Pie Day! Tart meets sweet in this easy to make chilled no-bake Raspberry Pie in a cinnamon graham cracker crust. It's so good you'll want to make a double batch.
Southern Lemon Chess Pie Recipe
This ooey-gooey, sweet and tart lemon chess pie bakes up with a sweet delicate candy-like top crust. Made with simple ingredients and easy directions, this pie is an old-fashioned southern favorite for National Pie Day that everybody loves.
Chelsea Market Heidi Pie With French Chevre
The Heidi Pie is made of a crunchy short pastry filled with sweet potatoes, spinach, red onion and goat's cheese. Perfect for National Pie Day, you can serve it with a salad.
Homemade Spiced Carrot Pie
This delicious carrot pie is a great addition to any National Pie Day menu! Made with cooked carrots and warm spices, you won’t be able to resist getting a second piece. Move over pumpkin, carrot pie is here to stay!
Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
This Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is an amazing twist on the classic! Enjoy a slice on National Pie Day.
Tomato Pie
Tomato Pie is a great way to use up an abundance of tomatoes on National Pie Day. This easy fresh recipe is baked in a pie crust and covered with cheddar and ricotta cheese. It’s tasty served warm or cold. It tastes like pizza – it’s delicious!
Brownie-Bottom Chocolate Pudding Pie
You'll love this Brownie-Bottom Chocolate Pudding Pie on National Pie Day! It features a delicious chocolate pudding recipe, but you can use instant pudding for convenience. Top it all with whipped cream and chocolate curls for a fabulous dessert!
Salted Caramel Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
This salted caramel apple pie is a decadent combination of flavors and textures you should try out on National Pie Day. From the flaky bottom crust to the saucy caramel apple filling and buttery crumb topping, this pie is impressive and indulgent.
Egg Custard Pie
Egg custard pie is a light-tasting, sweet treat for National Pie Day. This is is an ideal dessert because it isn't too heavy while still adding a nice finish to any meal. Or as a little afternoon delight. At just 244 calories per slice, this easy dessert recipe isn't going to put you over the top!
Nigerian Meat Pie Recipe With Tips For Perfection
Crusty on the outside, moist and spicy on the inside, Nigerian Meat Pie is a delicious snack that will be hands down the star of any meal, any time of the day on National Pie Day. The light, small, and flavor-packed Nigerian meat pies will leave your guests begging for more!
Classic Quebec Sugar Pie
Quebec sugar pie is a traditional French Canadian dessert with a smooth, rich, creamy filling you'll really enjoy on National Pie Day. This version is made with both brown sugar and maple syrup. It's super cheap and easy to make!
Honey Roasted Peanut Pie
This National Pie Day, serve up this Honey Roasted Peanut Pie. Think "pecan pie filling" with peanut butter traded for butter and honey-roasted peanuts traded for the pecans.
Kool Aid Pie Recipe
If you need a REALLY fast dessert on National Pie Day that’s absolutely delicious, you need to make this Kool Aid Pie recipe! Four ingredients and 5 minutes! IT’S SO GOOD!
No Bake Cranberry Cream Pie
No Bake Cranberry Cream Pie uses fresh cranberries in three ways, which you'll love eaating on National Pie Day. Layers of bright cranberry raspberry custard, fluffy and creamy cranberry cheesecake. And also the sugar frosted cranberries that are sprinkled on the fluffy lemon whipped cream.
Peach Pie Crumble (The Best Peach Pie With Iced Cream)
Peach Crumble Pie is the dessert recipe that will help awaken your love for baking. Don’t let National Pie Day go by without grabbing some peaches and trying this easy peach pie with crumble top for yourself!
Chocolate Crack Pie
When you think Chocolate Crack Pie think amazingly-rich-and-fudgy, addictively delicious, scratch-made gooey brownie ... in a crust. And it truly just doesn't get much better than that, especially on National Pie Day.
Frozen Yogurt Pie (Make-Ahead Summer Dessert!)
This Frozen Yogurt Pie combines a delicious graham cracker crust, creamy vanilla yogurt filling and beautiful fruit topping for a simple honey-sweetened National Pie Day dessert.
Best Brown Butter Black-Bottom Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This brown butter sweet potato pie recipe is an old fashioned sweet potato pie recipe with the added richness of brown butter, along with the "black-bottom" technique of Patti LaBelle's famous pie. The only soul food National Pie Day pie you need!
Indiana Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier Pie)
If you love vanilla custard or creme brulee, this recipe for Indiana Sugar Cream Pie will be your new favorite dessert on National Pie Day. A flaky pie crust filled with sweet decadent vanilla custard is heavenly. There is nothing like a fresh-baked pie and this sugar cream recipe is at the top of the list of amazing desserts.
Vanilla Pear Pie
Vanilla Pear Pie has a heavenly flavor and aroma. A hint of vanilla bean enhances but doesn’t overwhelm the delicate flavor of fresh pears. Move over Apple Pie, this just might become your favorite new National Pie Day dessert.
The Best Pumpkin Pie Recipe from Scratch (Easy)!
This is the best Pumpkin Pie Recipe from ccratch for National Pie Day! This easy pumpkin pie contains no sweetened condensed milk and is the only pumpkin pie recipe you'll ever need - perfect for Thanksgiving.
Buttermilk Blueberry Custard Pie
Blueberry Buttermilk Custard Pie – This extra sweet buttermilk pie recipe is full of blueberries and creamy custard. Such an easy dessert for National Pie Day.
Deep Dish Cranberry Apple Pie with Crumble Topping (So Good!)
Cranberry Apple Pie is a unique National Pie Day dessert your whole family will love! This post will explain everything you need to know about making this delicious apple and cranberry pie, make ahead tips, how to store it, and what to serve with this Deep Dish Apple Cranberry Crumble Pie.
German Chocolate Pecan Pie - Homemade In The Kitchen
German Chocolate Pecan Pie pairs together two classic desserts with its chocolate, coconut, and pecan filling baked in a homemade chocolate pie crust. You'll love it on National Pie Day
Keto Taco Pie
Keto Taco pie is a family friendly and delicious weeknight meal. This easy low carb recipe will soon make it on your regular dinner plan rotation, especially on National Pie Day. Keto Taco Pie includes everything that you would enjoy in actual tacos, but with no need for a tortilla to hold everything together. This is a satisfying and hearty meal.
Easy Banana Cream Pie
Look no further, this very Easy Banana Cream Pie can be made the same day on National Pie Day with a few basic ingredients! It takes about 10 minutes to make, then it needs time to set up in the fridge for a few hours. This pie is always a crowd-pleaser. It's made with delicious vanilla pudding. No gross fake banana flavored pudding in this one. It's banana-y and vanilla-y and creamy and delicious and will be eaten so quickly!
Frozen Open Faced Chicken Pot Pie
Frozen Open Faced Chicken Pot Pie is a quick and easy alternative to cooking pot pies at home from scratch. It's a great dinner for National Pie Day. These are made in a fraction of the time and taste just as good as any other.
Blueberry Sour Cream Pie
Blueberry Sour Cream Pie – a sweet, yet tart pie made with a creamy filling, and a crumbly streusel topping. This one is always a big hit, especially on National Pie Day.
Amish Pumpkin Pie Recipe
This Amish Pumpkin Pie Recipe is made using pantry staples for the most part. Deliciously creamy, sweet cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg give all those great flavors for National Pie Day.
Sweet Italian Ricotta Pie
Sweet Italian ricotta pie is a traditional Italian dessert perfect for National Pie Day. It’s a cheese pie with ricotta, vanilla, orange, and spices. You can use pre-made pie crust to simplify the recipe instead of pasta frolla.
Reese's pie: Peanut butter heaven
If you love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, then you’ll go crazy for this Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie recipe on National Pie Day! It’s an easy, no-bake dessert that comes together in just a few minutes. The peanut butter filling is rich and creamy, and the chocolate topping is simply heavenly.
Easy Oreo Dirt Pie Recipe
You'll love this Easy Oreo Dirt Pie on National Pie Day! Not only is a favorite of kids, but it's incredibly easy to make! It's a unique take on traditional oreo mud pie, only better.
Best Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe - Perfect Pie For Holidays
There’s nothing like a pecan pie on National Pie Day, especially for all you Southerners out there. You don’t have to be a Southerner to like chocolate pecan pie, though. It’s indulgent and tasty no matter where you’re from!
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