Backstage Country

LISTEN LIVE

Most Searched Pie Recipes In North And South Carolina Are The Same

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go…and it’s about time to put those pies in the oven to welcome holiday guests. And, it turns out…

a table full of pie slices as we learn about the most searched pie recipes in the carolinas
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go...and it's about time to put those pies in the oven to welcome holiday guests. And, it turns out the most searched pie recipes in North and South Carolina are the same! So, when you're planning your menu you might want to keep this treat in mind.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite food holiday all year. I make the whole feast pretty much from scratch. And, I love all the sides more than the main event. But, nothing compares to the dessert table. Of course, we always have the staples of pecan pie and pumpkin pie. However, we sometimes add another rotating sweet treat each year. It could be a special seasonal cake or cheesecake. Or, maybe a fudge. But, I have to admit I've never made one of the most searched pie recipes in the Carolinas.

pecan pie slice as we learn about the most searched pie recipesDebbie Nance

A slice of my homemade pecan pie. Surprisingly, pecan pie is not the most searched pie recipes in the Carolinas.

The Most Searched Pie Recipes In The Carolinas

According to allrecipes.com, among the most searched pie recipes in both of the Carolinas is the Sweet Potato Pie. It makes sense though. Many folks in the region grew up on a sweet potato pie recipe their moms or grandmothers passed down. And, according to the article, North Carolina produces more sweet potatoes than any other state.

When it comes to South Carolina, the residents of the Palmetto State also love their sweet potato pies. All Recipes shared a special version on their site for South Carolina residents. It includes pecans! I love that combo. I make a delicious Sweet Potato Casserole every year that includes a pecan streusel topping. It's so sweet and crunchy, it could be a dessert rather than a side.

So, when you start to plan your Thanksgiving or Christmas spread, turn to the sweet potato. It's definitely a must have on any holiday table in any form...pie or casserole. Check out the full article to find the most searched pie recipes in every state.

3 Pumpkin Pie Recipes for Thanksgiving

If you're like my family, pumpkin pie is one of your favorite parts of Thanksgiving. While pumpkin pie comes in many forms from the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew at Starbucks to the holiday pie at McDonalds, for us, good old-fashioned fresh-baked pumpkin pie is the best.

This year, we're going to bake a pumpkin pie from a recipe instead of our usual tradition of getting a pie already baked from the grocery store.

Here are three original recipes for our favorite Thursday.

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Our first recipe comes from the folks at McCormick. Called "Classic Pumpkin Pie" here is what you need to make eight servings

Pastry for 9-inch pie crust
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
1 teaspoon McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk

Instructions: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 9-inch pie plate with pie crust. Mix eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, flour and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla. Gradually add evaporated milk, mixing well. Pour into pie crust. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Bake 40 minutes longer or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm or cold. Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkle with additional pumpkin pie spice, if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

The Easiest Pumpkin Pie Recipe

3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 1/4 cups evaporated milk or half and half
2 eggs, beaten
1 Pillsbury Pet-Ritz frozen deep-dish pie crust

Directions: Heat oven to 425°F. In large bowl, mix filling ingredients. Pour into pie crust. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake 40 to 50 minutes longer or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 2 hours. Serve or refrigerate until serving time. Store in refrigerator.

Homemade Fresh Pumpkin Pie

All Recipes takes a bit more time with their recipe.

Pastry for Single-Crust Pie:
1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup shortening
3 ½ tablespoons cold water

Filling:
2 cups mashed, cooked pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Prepare pie crust by mixing together the flour and salt. Cut shortening into flour; add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time (you may need only 3 tablespoons, or up to 4 tablespoons). Mix dough and repeat until dough is moist enough to hold together.
With lightly floured, hands shape dough into a ball. On a lightly floured board roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness. With a sharp knife, cut dough 1 1/2 inch larger than the upside-down 8- to 9-inch pie pan. Gently roll the dough around the rolling pin and transfer it right-side up onto the pie pan. Unroll, easing dough into the bottom of the pie pan.
In a large bowl, beat pumpkin with evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt with an electric mixer or immersion blender. Mix well. Pour into a prepared crust. Bake 40 minutes or until when a knife is inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.