Happy November! We’ve made it through two months of stunningly beautiful fall weather, but autumn’s not quite over yet. November marks the transition from the balmier autumn months into the chilling season of winter, but let’s not jump ahead of ourselves.

November is a wonderful month because we still have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery of colorful leaves and we don’t have to grab our heavy winter coats when we leave the house just yet. Kids and adults alike finally get a break from our busy schedules during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Chances are, selected family members will busy themselves cooking up culinary masterpieces while other guests relax and enjoy watching football games in front of the propane fireplace. Although Turkey takes center stage in Thanksgiving dinners, no meal is complete without at least one type of pie.

Many culinary novices shy away from baking pies because they have a reputation for being difficult to make. It’s not the pie itself, but the crust that can be tricky to master. You could just purchase a pre-made pie crust from the supermarket, but some taste better than others.

What Is the Perfect Pie Crust?

Of course, when perfected, nothing tastes as good as a homemade pie crust, but it may take a few attempts to perfect your technique. What is the perfect pie crust? It’s flaky and holds together well without growing soggy at the bottom.

Is It Attainable?

Yes. First of all, all your pie ingredients must be cold, or else you will fail and watch your family quietly try to choke down your dessert. Start by freezing all your ingredients for 15 minutes before beginning.

While making the pie crust, place it back in the freezer for a few minutes if the butter starts to melt or the dough feels warm to the touch. Keeping the ingredients cool ensures that you will achieve the perfect amount of flakiness.

Vodka

Believe it or not, one of the secret ingredients for pie crust perfection is vodka. Say what? That’s right, adding a splash of vodka can inhibit gluten formation, which results in a fluffier crust. Plus, you can mix yourself a drink as your mother barks orders at you in the kitchen.

Which Pies to Serve This Thanksgiving

Whether you braved the task of making your own crust or used a store-bought crust, it’s now time to make the actual pie. So many pies, so little time. Which pies are sure to be crowd pleasers?

Pumpkin Pie

Apparently, pumpkin pie is a very controversial topic. People seem to either love it or hate it. We wonder if people have been disappointed by bland, chewy pumpkin pie recipes in the past. If so, it’s perfectly understandable why you would choose to forever shun pumpkin pies.

However, the internet offers a wealth of different pumpkin pie recipes that resemble nothing like the pies of your scarred childhood. Try baking a pumpkin pecan pie instead or a  walnut streusel pumpkin pie for a totally different kind of dessert.

Pecan Pie

Similar to pumpkin pies, there are about a million different ways to this delicious dessert. Down South, locals love their bourbon, which they use in their deliciously sweet pecan pie recipes. Although it’s not quite Christmas yet, you could even use leftover bourbon to make some eggnog to wash down dessert.

Want something different? You could go for a chocolate coconut pecan pie, which sounds heavenly. Everything’s better with some chocolate, so this is a winning combination!

Cranberry Pie

Late fall is the perfect time to grab a bushel of fresh cranberries from your local supermarket and make a dessert sure to bring tears of joy to your eyes. Stay away from that canned stuff; it doesn’t even compare. Although these little berries are tart, they taste absolutely divine when loaded up with sugar and topped with a rich pecan crumble.

Apple Pie

Do you need a pie that you can bake ahead of time? You could always go with an apple pie, an American dessert staple. We could offer you suggestions, but we’re guessing that someone in your family has a passed-down recipe that always satisfies dinner guests.

Sweet Potato Pie

Considered an incredibly healthy vegetable, sweet potatoes can transform into an amazing dessert. Pie enthusiasts insist that you must make a homemade crust for the best pie results. If you want to take it even further, roast the sweet potatoes ahead of time for a dessert that’s out of this world.

Chocolate Pie

For some of us, no dessert is complete without chocolate, and so many wonderful recipes are available. Whether you go with a no bake chocolate cream pie, a Mississippi mud pie, or a S’mores Galette pie, you will fall in love.

No matter which pies you choose, make sure that you never run out or propane to fuel your kitchen appliances. Make your life easier by signing up for our propane delivery services in upstate New York. Contact DiSanto Propane today to get started.