There’s nothing quite like a classic pumpkin pie made completely from scratch. Forget the store-bought stuff—this homemade version has a creamy, spiced filling, a buttery crust, and that nostalgic Thanksgiving flavor we wait all year for. If you’ve ever felt nervous about making pumpkin pie from scratch, don’t worry…I’m walking you through every step so your pie bakes up smooth, creamy, and perfect every time.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or just craving a cozy fall dessert, this is the only pumpkin pie recipe you’ll need.

Oh, pumpkin pie, oh pumpkin pie, thy flavor is so lovely… Who needs the Christmas tree song when we could be singing about pie?

I know we have some haters out there (haters gonna hate, hate, hate. Thank you Taylor Swift.) I can’t even understand the hate, but it’s fine. It exists. I believe that every blog should share their favorite classic recipes and this one is one of my favorites. Well this, and Mom’s Lemon Meringue Pie. 

Thanksgiving For Me Growing Up

Thanksgiving was always one of my favorite holidays growing up. We’d pack into my grandpa’s house in Le Grande, Oregon—cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone—filling every corner with folding tables and chairs. There were always more people than the house could technically hold, and more than once we kids ended up on the floor with our plates.

If we stayed home in Vancouver, Washington, the house still filled with family, plus a few people from church who didn’t have anywhere to go. Dad always made sure no one spent Thanksgiving alone. The cousins played nonstop, the adults snacked and chatted, and we’d finally sit down for “dinner” in the middle of the afternoon. After cleanup (always paper plates because… sanity), the ladies and kids did Christmas crafts, the men watched football, and then—pie time!

Honestly though, my favorite part was the next day: lazing around with movies, leftovers, and turkey sandwiches on rolls. I loved those even more than the big meal.

Thanksgiving at Our House Now

As an adult, Thanksgiving looks a little different. Where we live now, most people have deep roots and big family gatherings of their own, so it can feel a bit lonely when you’re not traveling. It’s not the bustling holiday I grew up with, but it’s taught me something important—be like Dad and always look around to see who might need a place at the table.

Our traditions have changed, but we still have pie… and honestly, pie makes everything okay.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Pie

You’ll want to start by making my favorite pie crust recipe or Mom’s failproof magic crust. Both recipes make a double crust, so you’ll only need half the dough for this pumpkin pie.

There’s just something magical about pie. It’s nostalgic, homey, a little bit messy, and my absolute favorite type of dessert! Over the years, I have shared so many incredible pie recipes here on Oh Sweet Basil, but a few of them have earned their place as true fan favorites—the best pie recipes you all make again and again.

This roundup features my most popular pies of all time, from classic fruit pies with buttery, flaky crusts to creamy custard pies and rich holiday favorites. Whether you’re planning your Thanksgiving menu or just craving a slice of something sweet on a Sunday afternoon, these tried-and-true pies deliver every single time.

Classic Fruit Pies

Fruit pies are the heart of homemade pie baking—simple ingredients, bright flavors, and that irresistible blend of tender fruit and flaky crust. These classic fruit pies are some of our most popular recipes because they never go out of style and always taste like home.

If you’ve been searching for the best brownie recipe, these Lunch Lady Brownies are it. These brownies are rich, chewy, and unapologetically fudgy! The kind with crackly tops that melts in the middle. Made with simple pantry staples and a silky cocoa frosting, they taste like the brownies your grandma should’ve made.

No fancy tricks, no boxed mix, just pure, old-school chocolate perfection.

Lunch Lady Brownies are moist, full of chocolate flavor, and feed a crowd! My roommate taught me the power of brownies with frosting, and they totally remind me of the ones I had as a kid that the lunch ladies served in elementary school, but this homemade version is better, thanks to one secret! These are rich and fudgy brownies, not crumby and cakey brownies.

Ingredients For Lunch Lady Brownies

Cake

• Unsweetened Cocoa: Adds deep chocolate flavor
• Butter, melted: Makes the brownies rich and fudgy
• All Purpose Flour: Provides structure
• Salt: Balances sweetness. The secret!
• Sugar: Sweetness that caramelizes beautifully
• Eggs, large: Adds richness and helps set the brownies
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances chocolate flavor

Frosting

• Evaporated Milk: Makes frosting creamy and smooth
• Butter, softened: Adds richness and fluff
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting
• Unsweetened Cocoa: Intensifies chocolate punch

These ingredients come together to make the ultimate fudgy brownies topped with rich, chocolate frosting.

How to Make Lunch Lady Brownies

If you’ve been searching for the best brownie recipe, this is it. We’re talking a thick, fudgy texture that comes together fast and tastes like they’re straight from a bakery. No fancy steps, no waiting overnight, just pure, chocolatey, from scratch bliss in under an hour.

1. Preheat: Set oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13&n

This Nutella and Dulce de Leche Puff Pastry Christmas Tree looks impressive, but it’s actually one of the easiest Christmas desserts you’ll ever make! Layers of rich Nutella and creamy dulce de leche sandwiched between flaky puff pastry! It tastes like pure holiday heaven.

A few years ago, puff pastry Christmas tree recipes started popping up everywhere, but I hadn’t seen one featuring Nutella and dulce de leche, so of course, I had to create my own!

Every Christmas Eve, my mom made homemade donuts. Honestly, I’ve never been a huge fan; they’re not quite sweet enough, yet somehow too rich at the same time. Don’t worry, she doesn’t love them either. Go figure.

Last Christmas, I wanted something that captured the nostalgia of those donuts without actually being one because deep frying is messy, smelly, and a bit of a hassle. That is how this adorable puff pastry Christmas tree was born!

Ingredients for This Recipe

This festive puff pastry tree comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients, and the result is the yummiest pull-apart Christmas Tree dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 Sheets Puff Pastry, partially frozen: The base of the tree.
• Nutella: For rich chocolate flavor.
• Dulce de Leche: Adds creamy caramel sweetness.
• Egg Yolk: Used as an egg wash to brush on the pastry for a glossy, golden finish.
• Water: To mix with the egg yolk.
• Unsalted Butter: Optional, brushed for extra richness.
• Cinnamon Sugar: For sprinkling on top.

That’s it! Just a few ingredients for a dessert that looks impressive and tastes incredible. Now let’s get baking!

Other Fun Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Fillings To Try

This puff pastry tree is a versatile base for all kinds of delicious fillings! While we love the classic Nutella and Dulce de Leche version, you can easily swap in apricot jam, strawberry jam, raspberry jam, fig jam, or even chocolate sauce! Feeling savory? Try ham and cheese, pesto with chicken, or chicken and Parmesan for a flavor-packed alternative.

How to Make This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree?

These Christmas Trees look fancy but are surprisingly easy to make! Flaky puff pastry layered with rich Nutella and creamy dulce de leche makes a festive, show-stopping dessert everyone will love.

1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat. (Parchment paper also works, but be warned: melted dulce de leche tends to stick more to parchment than to Silpat.)
2. Cut: Unfold the puff pastry sheets and stack them on top of each other. Using a sh

If you’re craving something creamy, sweet, and a little bit fancy, these No Bake Mini Cheesecakes are just the thing! With a buttery graham cracker crust, smooth cheesecake filling, and a bright raspberry sauce on top, they are the perfect holiday dessert. No tying up the oven for hours, and they look so sophisticated but are really so simple to make!

I love treating myself to something sweet, especially when it’s simple to make and sure to impress. No-bake mini cheesecakes are perfect for sharing with the whole family or for a special Christmas treat or Valentine’s Day dessert.

A buttery graham cracker crust holds a rich, creamy cheesecake filling, all topped with a bright raspberry drizzle. The result is a stunning, bite-sized dessert that looks as good as it tastes. I promise you these won’t last on your counter for long!

Mini Cheesecake Ingredients

These mini cheesecakes come together with a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make the crust, filling, and raspberry sauce. Best of all, there is no need to turn on the oven because these are no-bake.

The Crust

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Base for the mini cheesecake crusts.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crumbs together and adds richness.

Mini Cheesecake Filling

• Heavy Cream: Whipped to add lightness to the filling.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a creamy, tangy cheesecake base.
• Crème Fraîche: Adds richness and a slight tang.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Sweetens the filling.

Raspberry Topping

• Cornstarch: Thickens the raspberry sauce.
• Sugar: Sweetens the raspberry sauce.
• Water: Combines with cornstarch to make a smooth sauce.
• Frozen Raspberries: Main flavor for the sauce.
• Fresh Raspberries: Garnish for serving.

Why Crème Fraîche?

This recipe uses crème fraîche, which adds a smooth, velvety texture and elevates the flavor compared to a standard cream cheese cheesecake batter. You can usually find it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or larger grocery stores.

How to Make Mini Cheesecakes

Follow these easy steps to assemble these creamy, no-bake treats!

1. Prep: Line 10–12 muffin tins with plastic wrap.
2. Crust: In a small bowl, combine the crumbs from the graha