While there might always be that debate between which is better, a cake or a pie, in the 1800s, pies were a bit more common at the table. After all, what could be more tasty and more forgiving of a recipe than a bit of this and that put into a pastry crust?
With settlers from other countries making their way to the young United States, many new pies were introduced. In addition, many old favorites were modified and adapted to the ingredients that were readily available here in America.
Considered a practical dish, a pie could be a little of this, a little of that, and turn out to be a hearty meal. Think of that in savory, like Shepards Pie or Pot Pie, when small portions can be combined to make a filling meal, or even a fruit pie, where even if it’s not bursting and overflowing with fruit, it’s still delicious. The crusts are made of simple ingredients also, and the pie could be cooked in the oven or in a covered pot over the fire.
There are so many types of pies, I hoped to find a few I didn’t know anything about, so I went hunting, and found several that made my jaw drop. Here are a few that you also might not have heard of!
White Potato Pie
I bet you’ve heard, maybe even tasted, sweet potato pie. Until I started looking, I had no idea that white potatoes could also make a good pie! It appears to have gotten its start in Maryland, and uses ingredients that are similar to those of a pumpkin pie, such as cream, sugar, eggs, and various spices. The only difference, is that instead of pumpkin of sweet potato, they use white potato! While I’ve never tried it myself, this seems to be an official recipe for it!
Buttermilk Pie
Did you know I lived in Texas for a little over ten years? That’s right! When I married, I left my beautiful Virginia for the west, to live where my husband did. We came back, but while there, I heard of this unusual pie.
Sort of custardy, it makes me think of a chess pie, maybe a sugar cream pie. It’s inexpensive, forgiving, and tasty! Eggs, buttermilk, butter, and just a little flour and the spices help it to set up, quite easily. Here’s a recipe for this one, if you are curious to try it yourself.
Marlborough Pie
Now, this is one more I’ve never had, but I’m curious to try! This pie is a tasty sounding mix of apples, spices, eggs, and, depending on which recipe you find, also cream and sherry. This appears to be one of those pies that people have a particular way of making. You know, like how some insist their chili is the best! But, this recipe here seems so incredibly simple, and is served at a historical New England site, so I’m betting it’s pretty tasty.
Feeling hungry? When I was writing Cherry Cheese Pie by Carissa, I won’t lie. I made a LOT of pies. And, right now I want another!
Carissa Porter is tired of being a wallflower. She’s starting to wonder what’s wrong with her. Why won’t any man even look her way? About the only thing she can do well is bake, so she does just that, and tries to forget about how she’ll be single the rest of her life.
Duncan Marshall wants to tell Carissa how he feels about her, but something stops him every time. After being left at the altar, he’s not offering up his heart ever again, even if he senses she might be different. It’s something he just can’t risk. So, he continues to offer friendship, and nothing more.
When a letter arrives that may remove Carissa from his life, and put her in another’s, will Duncan listen to his heart and show her that they should be together? Or is it too late?
You can learn more by clicking here.
Would you like a chance to win an ebook of this sweet (and stomach growling inducing!) story? Just comment below with either your favorite pie, or if you have ever tried one of the ones above!
Sarah is wife to an amazing teacher and mom to two boys who are growing up just a little too fast. She spends her days working and writing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
I love pecan pie and chocolate cream pie best.
I have had buttermilk pie. The Marlborough sounds a bit like a mincemeat pie, which I have had. The potato pie is more of an Eastern Shore thing, and I haven’t had it.
I’ve never had mincemeat! I admit, the name has made me nervous!
it’s no longer made with meat–it’s fruit and spices. Not as common in the US, but it is in England.
Cherry pie is my favorite. I haven’t tried any of the pies you mentioned.
Ohhh cherry is just the best!
I like any fruit pie or cream pie. I guess I would have to say blueberry pie. Heard of buttermilk pie but never tried any of them.
I’m with you! Any fruit or cream pie!!
apple pie
You just can’t go wrong with apple!
Good morning. Thanks for sharing your pie and your book. I have not tried any of the above pies. Will have to rectify this. I especially love berry pies. Cherry is my favorite.
Yes!! Berry pies are so tasty!!
I am pretty good at making peach pie and blackberry pie.
Ohh! My mouth wants to taste those! I adore both!
Good morning. I love peach and pumpkin pies.
I love both too! It’s been too long since I had peach. I’d better make one!
I’ve not tried any of the pies you listed, but I did make a water pie a off of a video by Paula Deen.
It was OK. I think we’d decided to try again but adding lemon juice, but we haven’t tried that yet.
Another friend an author made a water pie recently. Some of those simple pies are gaining popularity again!
My grandma often made Buttermilk pie – a nice change from the usual fruit pies mom made. A tart Lemon Meringue pie is my favorite and the one most requested. A quick and easy go to pie for me is Vinegar pie, aka, Desperation pie. Some say the origins are from the depression yet others say it dates back to early American pioneers. The pie uses five ingredients plus the pie crust and takes about 35 minutes to bake. Even with its odd name the pie is a big hit when I take it to carry-in’s.
While I have not had vinegar pie, I have heard it’s really good! I should try it. I’ve got a recipe in a Mennonite cookbook.
I have never tried one of these. I have never been a pie person but I do like banana cream pie.
Oh, it’s been ages since I had one of those!
I like pies, but I’m not sure of my favorite. I like apple, lemon meringue, strawberry rhubarb, blueberry, homemade pumpkin, and mincemeat. I’ve never had those you talking about.
Yum! All those pies you listed are about to send me in the kitchen cooking!
I’ve never heard of the other two, but buttermilk pie is one of my absolute favorites. Another favorite is vinegar pie. I know, it sounds hideous, but it really is very yummy. It’s one my great aunt used to make and she gave me the recipe before she died.
I need to try vinegar pie. I have a few Mennonite cookbooks, and I know that’s in at least one of them, and I bet it is tasty!
Good morning, I have never tried any of these pies. My favorite fruit pie is the Peach Pie, and I also love Chicken Pot Pies or Bee Pot Pies, I also like Shepherds Pie. Have a great day and a great rest of the week. Thank you for sharing these pie recipes. Your book sounds like a great read!! ( I am not entering this ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy) I will be looking for your book in print as I love the sound of it.
Aww thank you! Yes, the book is in print. I will warn you…it’s going to make you want pie! I baked TOO many while writing it, haha!! I also love the savory pies, like you!
My all time favorite s are Chocolate, Apple and peach. I have a hard time choosing if they are all on the menu. I am very intrigued by the white potato pie and am going to try it.
Ohh yes, if they were all on the menu at the same time, I’d have a hard time choosing too.
I adore pie! It’s my very favorite dessert, especially fruit pies–peach, apple, blueberry… yum! I have an old recipe for pie crust that I got from my mom that uses boiling water instead of ice water. The crust is always flaky and wonderful!
Ohh now that sounds really neat!! And potentially easier!
I’ve never tried the pies you mentioned. They did sound interesting though.
It’s hard to pick a favorite pie. It seems the one I am eating at the time is always the best!
Ohh! That’s such a good answer!!
My favorite pie is McIntosh apple pie.
I’ve never heard of any of the 3 pies you listed and described. I grew up in Wisconsin.
I like apple pie! With a wedge of cheese to go with it!
Apple pie
A classic pie!
I’ve never tried the pies you mentioned. My favorite pies are the fried apple pies and fried banana pies my Mom made. Also, regular apple pie and chocolate pie!! Peanut butter pie is really good, too, though very rich, so you don’t want a big piece!
Ohhh fried pies? I assume handpies? That sounds yummy!
Yes, probably. For the apple pies, we used dried apples. You could use canned biscuits, though Mom usually made up a batch of homemade biscuits. You would then roll out some and put the apple mixture (she added sugar and cinnamon) on half, fold over the other half, and fry them in Crisco. You did the same with banana. Sooooooo good!!
My fa orite pies are cherry and pumpkin. Quite some time ago, I did have buttermilk pie and it was very good.
I love those pies too! I couldn’t choose between cherry and pumpkin!
Sugar Cream is the Hoosier State Pie – I love a good chocolate fudge or lemon without meringue (calf slobbers) as my Grandma called it!
What?! That’s their state pie? I had no idea that state pies were a thing! I’ve got to find outs!
Oh, Sarah, you have me itching to start baking–and I’ve been doing so well lately at taking off weight! (For which my knees thank me…) Every one sounded good and all the others shared are making my mouth water (promise me there are no calories in WORDS!)
Hugs,
Elissa
Haha!! Yep!!! I’m about to add some pie ingredients to my weekly shopping list! 😉
I have eaten buttermilk pie but my favorite is pecan or apple pie.
It’s hard to choose a favorite between those two!
Sounds like a very intriguing story – anxious to read it.
If you do, I hope you’ll enjoy it!
My favorite always depemds on my mood. <y dislike list is shorter… Mincemeat, coconut cream and pecan. lol
I've heard of Buttermilk Pie but not the other 2. I've never had any of them.
Ohh, you are right. Mood rules when it comes to choosing a sweet!
I love pies and make more of those than other desserts. I have heard of buttermilk pie, but not the other ones you listed above, but will likely give them a try. Fruit pies are my favorite. In the Spring strawberry Rhubarb pies are favorites. I made 15 of them last year. I will make blueberry and raspberry pies if I can get good berries. In the Fall I make lots of apple pies. If we are having company for dinner, I will make at least 2. That way I’ll have some to send home with them. Fruit pies are great for breakfast and I make sure I have enough left over for a day or two. At Christmas I make mincemeat pies doctoring up the jar or brick fillings you can buy, adding apples, walnuts, brandy, and whatever else I might find. My grandmother made sugar cream pie and I love it. I don’t make it often because most of the family doesn’t care for it. It is so rich. It is really nothing but sugar, cream, butter, and walnuts in a baked crust. A bit like eating fudge. She made one for me when I was in the Peace Corps and mailed it to the Philippines. I got it weeks later and it was still good. It was wonderful to have that touch of home when I was so far away and the holiday celebrated differently. Shepherd’s pie (or more accurately cottage pie because I use beef) and chicken pot pie are family favorites for dinner. They are easy and great as leftovers.
That’s a sweet story!! I bet you felt so loved! Wow, you make so many pies, I’m getting so hungry after reading your post!
My favorite pie is a chocolate pie that I got the recipe from my late mother-in-law. Her mother had also made this pie and the recipe came from a 100 year old recipe book. My mother-in-law lived to be 103 and has been gone a little over 2 years, so not sure how old that book is now. It used Hershey’s cocoa, sugar, eggs, vanilla and milk. Cooked on top of the stove for 15 minutes. Then topped with meringue from the egg whites and brown in oven. It is awesome as my grandchildren say.
Would love to win a copy of your book. Thanks for the recipes and the opportunity to win.
Ohh that pie sounds really tasty!
Apple pie and cherry pie are my favorite pies.
I love both those too! Now I really, really want one!
My Favorite Pie is Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pie what else could be better than Peanut Butter and Chocolate together…???
Two rich items! Makes for a great dessert!
I’ve heard of most of the pies you mentioned. I’ve tried sweet potatoe, but I like pumpkin better.
I’ve had chocolate chess, I’ve heard of buttermilk pie, but I can’t remember if I tried it. I’ve never heard of white potatoe. My favorites are blueberry, pecan and pumpkin, no special order! Lol
Ohhh now, I’ve never had a chocolate chess pie!
My favorite would be pecan or coconut. I have heard of buttermilk pie.
My favorite pies are pecan, coconut meringue, and pumpkin (made from Libby’s recipe). I don’t eat them much anymore — pecan & coconut meringue are too sweet for my taste.
I have heard of buttermilk pie. And maybe I’ve even had it, but that would have been a long time ago.
I do love pot pie and sheppards pie and I can make them, wish I mircle in itself. Dessert pie I love warm blueberry pie with dollop of ice cream on top. I never heard of those other pies before, sounds interesting. Like to try one some day
Definitely trying the Marlborough Pie recipe! I love a good Butterscotch Pie with meringue. However, it’s the kind where the filling is cooked custard, still trying to perfect that one…
Thanks for the opportunity, love reading your books!
I love old recipes and save cookbooks like a bankrupt library. My mother had a cookbook that called for “butter the size of a walnut” to be added to fudge as it cooled down. Others use sizes and weights we do not use any longer, but still great sounding. Nothing says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven.