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Pumpkin pie is usually center stage at Thanksgiving.  Pecan, sweet potato, and apple also frequently play a role.

But why not change it up?

Autumn is the time of year for all gourds, not just pumpkin. Try switching out the pumpkin in the recipe for a butternut squash, or experiment with any of the exotic gourds typically found at the grocery store this time of year.

Instead of traditional pecan pie, try a bourbon pecan. Or go for pure decadence with a frozen caramel drizzle.

Apple pie is quintessential American.  But there's no reason it needs to be the same boring pie year after year.  Try apple raisin sour cream.  Or even a simple apple tart.  Or get those creative culinary juices flowing and substitute the apples in the recipe for a different fruit altogether, like pears.

Of course, the traditional pies are Thanksgiving mainstays for a reason. They're fantastic. Even if you decide to stick with the traditional route, you can still wow 'em. The easiest way to make a fantastic pie is to simply avoid the pitfalls that make a pie less fantastic.

Everyone knows the hardest part of baking a pie is making the perfect flaky crust. If you're not experienced at that, skip the top crust altogether. Replace it with a crumb topping. Or use cookie cutters to turn your top crust into festive autumn shapes - no need to worry about tricky lattices or crimping and sealing edges.

With all the time spent slaving over the rest of the meal, you may want to rest a bit and whip together an easy cream pie. And best of all, they're easy to jazz up so they appear much more impressive than they actually are. you'd be surprised at how people will gush over a pie that took just a few minutes to throw together, just because of a little fancy garnish on top.

If your Thanksgiving celebration has a certain theme or atmosphere, try to select your pie recipe accordingly. Here are a few suggestions.

Need some extra help before the holidays?  You can find classes and demonstrations (often free) at some culinary stores, such as Williams-Sonoma or Central Market.

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