If there’s one thing Grandma is better at than everyone else in the family, it’s baking. And in her house, there’s no such thing as having too many sweets at the ready—especially an irresistible pie. And we’re not sure how, but it seems like any dessert, especially pies, that come from Grandma’s kitchen always taste like a slice of heaven.
Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Louisiana matriarchs are partial to this vanilla custard pie. The recipe’s big secret is a folded-over rather than crimped crust for added texture and even more doughy deliciousness.
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist Christina Daley
Homemade cherry pie is a nostalgic summertime favorite. From backyard barbecues to church potlucks, you’re bound to find Grandma carrying this treat into the party.
Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly
Chess pie has been a Southern staple for as long as anyone can remember. Thanks to refrigerated pie crust and a short ingredient list, this classic is a cinch to make.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Creamy and tangy, this simple pie is an impressive treat for summer gatherings and only requires 10 minutes of hands on time before it goes into the refrigerator to chill for at least 7 hours.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX
In Grandma’s house, apple pie isn’t just for the Thanksgiving table. In the summertime, serve it with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and add in additional warm spices to make it more cozy for the fall.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This classic pie combines two favorite Southern desserts: banana pudding and cream pie. The only thing more magical than the combination of bananas, custard, and whipped cream is when it comes from Grandma’s kitchen.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
There are few things better than going over to Grandma’s house in the summertime and finding a homemade key lime pie in the fridge. And while she’ll always look for fresh key limes, she’s not afraid to use store-bought bottled juice.
Whether from Grandma’s backyard or the local famers’ market, fresh peaches are the key to this simple pie.
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
At Grandma’s house chocolate chip cookies aren’t confined to a few inches in scale. This recipe from reader Cassie Tidwell Tramel’s grandmother, Wilma Tidwell, is a delicious example of a pie-sized cookie. Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
A generous sprinkle of toasted coconut on top of the rich coconut custard and extra sweet whipped cream takes this delicacy from good to great.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman
Grandma doesn’t even need to look at a recipe when making this old-fashioned dessert. The humble pie only requires a few staple ingredients and is best when served with fresh summer berries and a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
Iain Bagwell
There’s no such thing as too-sweet or too much sugar in Grandma’s kitchen and this over-the-top chocolate pie is a prime example.
