OCOVEONT over the weekend, I bought myself a Pumpkin Spice candle. And even though the temps are still pushing 90 here in Austin, when I’m sitting at my desk with those warm, spicy spaces that keep me, I’m in the mood. Which is why it feels like the perfect time to share one of my favorite rituals of the season: the pie baking party.
Since my mom happens to be an expert pie baker, I called her a few years ago to get all of her best Thanksgiving Pie tips to prepare for her baking. With Phoebe by my side, our first PIE party of the year – and a new family tradition – was born.
This concept is such a fun excuse to gather a few family members before the holidays – or a gathering your girl groups will find in a cozy afternoon in the kitchen. All you need is a few good family recipes (mom’s famous buttermilk and maple pecan pie linked below), a few simple ingredients, and a good playlist. Oh, and maybe mulled wine.
Scroll through for our favorite tips for baking success, as well as a few ways to make your pie party extra special.
1. Set the scene
Think of your pie baking party as a multi-fall gathering the atmosphere as the oath itself. The goal? Create a space where everyone feels refreshed, inspired, and ready to do a (small) decorative funeral together.
Start by setting a warm tone that warm guests come in: Light a few candles, show a jazz or acoustic playlist, and let the smell of the stove or an apple on the stove. Clear your counters so there is more work space, and if you have an island or dining table, turn it into a shared space with dishes, folded pegs.
For a nice but low touch, pull the linen tablecloth and place the aprons in coordinating tones – neutral air or deep autumns want to invite right away. Add small vases of pre-measured perfumes, and maybe a few jars of dried flowers or branches for a simple fall scene.
- Light candles or minutes a pot of cider with cinnamon sticks.
- NOTE A mixed playlist (jazz, acoustic, or classic fall tunes).
- Place aprons, rolled pins, and prepared fillings at each station so that everyone can get inside.
TIP: I love serving mulled wine or rich tea – it keeps the vibe festive without feeling flussy.
2. Choose a mix of recipes
The best pie baking teams start to fit in Nostalgic favorites and a new discovery. Think of your menu as a mix of classics and creative twists, so there’s something for every baker’s skill set.
Start with one signature pie that everyone can bake together – pumpkin, apple, or pecan are all perfect fall options. Then, invite guests to bring a family recipe or favorite to share. Hit the news (“This one from grandma’s handwritten cookbook”) and let each person shine.
If you’re hosting a larger group, divide the pies by type so there’s a variety – fruit-based, custard-based, and a hearty option like butternut squash galette or tomato tart. Print or write Hand Work recipe cards for each pie so guests can follow along and take one home.
And don’t forget to plan a break: While the pies are baking, put out small bites like nuts, cheese, or popcorn, and create a cozy place to gather with drinks and conversation.
- Choose one signature pie (like gingersnap pumpkin or maple pecan) so everyone will make it together.
- Invite each guest to bring one family recipe Engagement – spark conversations and nostalgia.
- Print or handwrite recipe cards so everyone can take one home.
My mom’s Buttermilk Pie is always on our list – it doesn’t show and tastes like home.
3. Simplify the crust
My mom’s secret… just use store bought! After many attempts, we realized that store-bought crust can be just as good as homemade. Totally delicious and super easy. Just be sure to chill the crust in the fridge before you’re ready to use it, and keep it waiting.
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Before you invite friends over to bake together, grab your flour, sugar, and more butter than you think you’ll need—and whatever pure pumpkin filling (hello, 100% pure pure pumpkin) you plan to use.
Tip: Make the day smooth and compressed without setting your kitchen in channels.
- Interface Bar: flour, sugar, spices, eggs, butter, pie filling.
- Wrap Station: Cutting boards, rolling pins, cake brushes.
- Top location: Cookie cutters, stencils, and zesters for decorating.
Some basics can be surprisingly hard to get right before the holidays, so buy them early to be ready for automatic oven baking times all the time.
5. Good for blind baking
If you’re making a custard-based pie (like pumpkin or buttermilk), baking the crust first helps keep it soft and creamy. It sounds good, but “blind baking” means baking the crust before adding the filling.
Here’s how to do it:
- Place your unpasteurized crust into your pie dish.
- Cover with parchment or foil.
- Fill with something heavy to save the floor like dried beans.
- Bake until the edges start to turn golden, then remove the beans and bake for a few more minutes to brown a little.
In about 15 minutes, you will have a perfectly prepared crust for the filling.
Blind baking prevents soggy bottoms and ensures your pie (and slices) look perfect.
6. Make it beautiful
My mom always keeps fresh nutmeg on hand and adds a fine dusting of it to her pancakes using a microplane grater. Ditto for orange zest in pumpkin pie or lemon zest sprinkled on apples before baking – it’s a touch of light that makes the warm flavors of fall really sing.
Use small cookie cutters to make decorative leaves or hearts to put on top of your pie. Brush with Egg Wash and bake separately until golden.
You can also use cookie cutters to create seasonal shapes from extra dough leaves, pumpkins, or stars. Brush them with a light egg wash, bake until golden, and use them to decorate your pies. It’s an easy way to make your dessert more festive (and it makes a great snack while you’re baking).
Create fall memories that last
Making a memory is the whole point of a pie-baking party. Spending an afternoon every year with my mother and my daughter is one of those many times to thank her for family – and a reminder that I’m the one to create my children’s traditions.
There is something special about being in the kitchen together: Making something delicious to share, exchanging pie tips, telling stories. Go ahead and break out the matching aprons, find your grandmother’s old cookbook, and lean into all the traditions you can remember — or create new ones. And don’t forget to take a few pictures. It’s a simple tradition that can become a family tradition for you, too.
This post was updated on October 29, 2025, to include new insights.