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Timed matchup: Thanksgiving, Thu, Nov 26

Apple pie vs Pumpkin pie

Apple pie or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving: which should you bake?

The verdict
Pumpkin pie wins.

Pumpkin pie takes Thanksgiving: it is the pie of the day, it can be made ahead, and it tastes like late November.

Verdict as of · Cite this verdict

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Head-to-head

Apple pie
category
Pumpkin pie
Always welcome, but it is the pie of the Fourth of July as much as November.
Thanksgiving fit
The signature Thanksgiving dessert. The table feels incomplete without it.
Tart-sweet fruit, cinnamon and a flaky top crust. Hard to argue with.
Flavor
Creamy, warmly spiced custard. Comforting, though some find it one-note.
Peeling, slicing, a lattice or top crust, and a risk of a soggy bottom.
Ease
Mix the filling, pour, bake. Canned pumpkin makes it nearly effortless.
Best warm on the day, or reheated.
Make ahead
Better after chilling overnight, which frees the oven for the turkey.
Vanilla ice cream or a slice of cheddar, depending on your family.
Toppings
Whipped cream is mandatory, and a dollop does a lot of work.

Apple pie

  • Crowd-pleasing in any season
  • Flaky double crust
  • Great warm with ice cream

Pumpkin pie

winner
  • The classic Thanksgiving pie
  • Easy filling, hard to mess up
  • Made a day ahead, frees the oven

Why Pumpkin pie wins

Apple pie is the better all-year pie, but on Thanksgiving pumpkin is the expected finale. It is simpler to bake, holds up a day ahead, and its spice fits the meal better than another fruit dessert.

Frequently asked

Apple pie or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving: which should you bake?

Pumpkin pie. Apple pie is the better all-year pie, but on Thanksgiving pumpkin is the expected finale. It is simpler to bake, holds up a day ahead, and its spice fits the meal better than another fruit dessert.

Should I pick Apple pie or Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie. Apple pie is the better all-year pie, but on Thanksgiving pumpkin is the expected finale. It is simpler to bake, holds up a day ahead, and its spice fits the meal better than another fruit dessert.

Is Apple pie better than Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie comes out ahead overall. Apple pie is the better all-year pie, but on Thanksgiving pumpkin is the expected finale. It is simpler to bake, holds up a day ahead, and its spice fits the meal better than another fruit dessert. That said, Apple pie still has real strengths — see the pros lists above.

What's the difference between Apple pie and Pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie takes Thanksgiving: it is the pie of the day, it can be made ahead, and it tastes like late November.

Cite this verdict

disordat. (2026, November 4). Apple pie or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving: which should you bake? [Apple pie vs Pumpkin pie verdict]. https://disordat.org/vs/apple-pie-vs-pumpkin-pie

Verdict as of November 4, 2026 · Markdown version

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