Easy Pies

A New Year's favorite or for any time you are ready to celebrate something that looks like snow and tastes like heaven!  

Pears  provide a lovely, subtle and elegant flavor for pies and tarts.  Add a little ginger, however, and you've got a new fall and winter favorite!

I love the tartness of the fruit with the flaky pastry. And since you can get frozen cherries and raspberries, you can make it anytime!

Usually I say peach pie is my favorite, but this fresh peach and raspberry tart might be even better.  The nutty almond crust says "I love you" to the peaches, the raspberries add color, and the not-too-sweet peach glaze holds it all together with joy.  Try it!

It's cool!  It brings sweet and tart together and serves it up, cool and refreshing, just when you need it.  It's an easy recipe that can be made ahead.

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. 

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. 

Easy!   There's something about the crunch and flavor of the pecans that I just love. 

It's so easy!  And it's gluten free!  OK, it's a "pie" mainly because it's baked in a pie plate...and it's light and delicious, perfect for a warm day or special occasion.

It's so pretty!  It's enticing and light, perfect for summer.

This is first pie I ever made, the one that got me started on a lifetime of baking pies. It’s simple, delicious and easy! I’ve made it so many times I can make it by heart.

It's easy! It's so good! Especially for those who love lemon, this is a filling that meets that tart-sweet-rich need all at once. It won a blue ribbon in the "other pies" category at the state fair in 2011 for my pal, Havens.

"Mmmm. Mmmmm!" That's what you'll hear as people taste this pie for the first time. This is a simple yet elegant pie, made with ingredients at hand. A perfect fall or winter pie, one that will surprise you with its delicate texture and satisfying flavors. This recipe took "Best of Show" at a state fair pie contest.

It's easy and it's chocolate!  Made with ingredients at hand, you can have pie for dessert any time.  See 'Baker's Notes' below for a gluten-free version.