While pumpkin and pecan pies are in and of themselves tasty, their stranglehold on Thanksgiving is unextractable. A shame, really, since other pies, especially ones with a bright acidic kick, are equally welcome as the final act to any Thanksgiving feast.
This year, in lieu of the norm, consider the following flavors for dessert, from Florida-born key lime pie to Palestine favorite knafeh. All orders should be placed in advance. Call ahead for availability.
Earl Grey cream pie: This pie from Layer Cake Bakery hones in on its titular tea, Earl Grey, a smooth blend of citrus, spice, malt, and smoky notes. This eight-inch pie is made from scratch and serves between 8 to 10 people. Costs $45.
Find it: Layer Cake Bakery, 4250 Barranca Parkway, Irvine; 949-786-0223
Key lime pie: Should you want to be the breakout star of your Thanksgiving potluck, bring a key lime pie from Gourmet Pie. Trust me: Its citrusy kick will help cleanse palates after the Thanksgiving bacchanalia. What’s more, Key lime pie, unfairly relegated to summer months, has the distinction of being one of, if not the, greatest American pies. (Sorry, apple.) Costs $14.95.
Find it: Gourmet Pie, 5350 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos; 562-546-0055
Knafeh: The knafeh at Knafeh Cafe in Anaheim’s Little Arabia are made of buttery semolina dough, Nabulsi cheese, pistachios and simple syrup, which, after baking, get topped with shreds of kataifi, a crispy phyllo dough. One pie serves more than a dozen revelers. Bonus: It’s open Thanksgiving Day should you need a last-minute pie.
Find it: Knafeh Cafe, 866 S Brookhurst St., Anaheim; 714-442-0044
Pumpkin cheesecake: Should you want to stick with tradition with your pie offering, zhuzh it up by bringing a pumpkin cheesecake from the Creama Cafe. (After all, cheesecake is classified as a pie, not a cake.) The one at the popular Seal Beach bakery features a cheesecake swirled with pumpkin and spices on a graham cracker crust. Costs $36.95.
Find it: The Creama Cafe, 322 Main St., Seal Beach; 562-493-2501
Snickers bar pie: Found at Corky’s Homestyle Bakery in Ladera Ranch, this Snickers-inspired pie comes with everything found inside the candy aisle staple: chocolate, caramel and crushed peanuts, as well as a chocolate cookie crust and whipped cream. Cost $22.69.
Find it: Corky’s Kitchen & Bakery, 27522 Antonio Parkway, Ladera Ranch; 949-364-4439