All Pies

"Combine so many things to love and you get this pie: a lightly carmelized blend of maple syrup and bourbon and butter, over fresh peaches, all topped with a toasted pecan streusel that crunches just a bit.  The judges thought it deserved a Best of Show award."

It’s creamy smooth and has deeper, richer flavors than pumpkin.  A very satisfying pie and easy to make.  Be sure to serve it with whipped cream!  This is an updated recipe, which happened to win a blue ribbon for a Pie Pal at the NM State Fair Pie Contest.

When you’re looking for a special dessert, here’s one that brings together the best of the season:  apples, caramel and nuts. Sweet & nutty, just like the holidays!

Smash those peaches!  Really.  Get the best ones, the tree-ripened ones, and smash a few to cook up as a glaze that will hold the remaining fresh, uncooked slices together in a crisp crust.  Oh!  So good.

If you are lucky enough to have boysenberries, you are one lucky baker!  And here's a recipe to make you feel even luckier.

Combine two favorites -- blueberries and lemons -- and what do you get?  A new favorite!  The blueberries are nestled in a sweet-tart lemon custard, all enthroned on a buttery crust.  

In a charming twist, this recipe brings a pretty red flare to your apple pie and the red hots add a subtle crispness.  The result is stunning!  

Oh!  It's so different and celebrates a deserving fresh, juicy fruit.  I especially love this because it's not as sweet as many pies, nor as rich (unless you add the always-tempting swirl of whipped cream). 

It screams for berries!  It's the perfct palate -- delicate, with a hint of lemon -- for fresh berries, whether raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries or some other favorite.  Made with ingredients on hand, you can bring home the berries, put the pie together, and enjoy it within a couple of hours.  It doesn't even have to cool completely, like most pies.  It's easy, breezy and delicious. 

Clouds of meringue float above perky, fresh lemon pudding nestled in a light crust with crunch.  So many good things in one place!  "Lammas" refers to the midway point between summer solstice and the fall equinox, which is when this recipe was created.  And "Mama's" comes from the fact that the luscious Meyer's lemons used came from my Mom's tree! 

Oh, my!  The aroma knocked my socks off.  These are the fresh berries many of us have access to during the summer, so enjoy the bounty.  Use any combination of fresh berries you like that adds up to 5 cups.  If you want to use frozen berries, see notes below.

Who doesn't have ripe bananas around every now and then?  This is a perfect way to use them:  nestled in a crisp crust and crowned with an elegant (but easy!) vanilla pudding.  Oh, my gosh!  So good

Dates -- rich, soft, sweet -- shine in this easy pie, teased by crunchy walnuts and cloaked in delicate puff pastry.  A touch of orange enlivens the mix.  The ingredients can come from your pantry and freezer, so this a pie to make anytime.  It's also a great pie for picnics, as a slice holds together in your hand.