The bird might take center stage during the Thanksgiving holiday. But we all know that the real star of the party is the pie.
Whether it's pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, apple or even French silk, there's nothing quite like topping off your holiday feasting with one of America's favorite desserts.
And we know a secret. You don't have to be a great baker to serve great pie on Thanksgiving Day. Just look to one of the city's best scratch bakeries for holiday pies worth their weight in flavor. Here are some of our favorite spots, including one dedicated to gluten-free items.
Aggie’s Bakery
7328 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 482-1288
aggiesbakery.com
Aggie's offers a wide variety of pies, from classic pumpkin, pecan and apple to cherry, blueberry, peach and more. All pies require a minimum of at least 48 hours notice for pick-up.
Cost: $17-$24 per pie (for 9-inch pies); 2-inch and 4-inch pies are also available for purchase by the dozen.
To order: Place your order online at aggiesbakery.com.
Bakehouse 23
1309 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee,
(414) 304-5151
facebook.com/bakehouse23mke
Bakehouse 23 will be whipping up Pumpkin (regular, vegan), Pecan (regular, vegan), Pecan Chocolate, French Silk, Salted Caramel Banana Cream, Dutch Apple (regular, vegan) and Caramel Apple Supreme (layers of cheesecake, apple filling and caramel) along with pints of whipped cream to enjoy alongside.
Cost: $28 per 10" pie; $8 for a pint of sweetened vanilla bean whipped cream or plant-based whipped topping
To order: Orders must be placed by phone (or in person) on or before Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. with pick-up during bakery hours on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
The Bake Sale
6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 543-4230
bakesalewestallis.com
The Bake Sale will be offering their housemade pies for Thanksgiving in flavors like Pumpkin, Pumpkin Gingersnap, Maple Cheesecake, Banana Cream, Key Lime, Double Chocolate French Silk, Apple, Caramel Apple, Door County Cherry, Pecan and Whiskey Chocolate Pecan. Vegan pies are available in Apple, Door County Cherry or Pumpkin.
Gluten-free-friendly pies are also available in Banana Cream (pecan crust), Key Lime (walnut crust), Double Chocolate French Silk (gluten-free chocolate cookie crust).
Cost: $29-$41 per pie (9" or 11" available)
To order: Orders can be placed online. Order cut-off is Wednesday, Nov. 22 with pick-up on Nov. 26 (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.) or Nov. 27 (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Black Shoe Bakery
Blue's Egg Milwaukee, 317 N. 76th St., (414) 336-1005
bluesegg.com
Black Shoe is offering Dutch Apple, Bourbon Pecan, Pumpkin, Salted Brown Butter, French Silk and Key Lime Pie for Thanksgiving.
Cost: $36-$38 per pie (for 10-inch pies)
Heat and eat Thanksgiving dinners for four ($140) are also available.
To order: Orders can be placed online. The cutoff for orders will be Sunday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. Pickup will be available on the South Side of Blue's Egg near the Huntington Bank ATM between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Greige Patisserie
408 W. Florida St., (414) 252-0143
greigemke.com
Greige is offering a variety of desserts for Thanksgiving including Pumpkin, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan and Salted Caramel Apple pies, Sweet Potato Cheesecake and Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake. Additional pastries and seasonal cocktails are also available for pre-order.
Cost: $12-$56, depending on selection.
To order: Orders can be placed online for pick-up on Wednesday, Nov. 27 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Honeypie Bake Shop
2491 S Superior St., (414) 489-7437
honeypiecafe.com
Honeypie is offering Thanksgiving pies for pre-order in flavors like Pumpkin, Bourbon Walnut Pecan, Apple Crumb (v), Door Cherry Crumb (v), Chocolate Silk, Chocolate Hazelnut Cream, Key Lime and Salted Wisconsin Honey Pie.
Cost: $42-$52 per 11" pie, depending on flavor.
To order: Place your order online. Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance with pick-up between Nov. 24-27.
Lucy Bakes
133 W. Pittsburgh Ave.
lucybakes.org
Lucy Bakes will be offering a variety of pies including pumpkin, cherry crumble, berry crumble, key lime and French silk, along with pumpkin cheesecake, decorated cookies and cupcakes.
Cost: $36-$60
To order: Orders can be placed online. A limited quantity of items will be available for pick-up on a walk-in basis Nov. 22-24. Thanksgiving items can be picked up at the bakery on Nov. 26 from 12 to 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Matilda Bakehouse
6874 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point,
(414) 364-8869
matildabakehouse.com
Matilda Bakehouse will be offering a variety of pies including Pumpkin, French Silk, Pecan and Salted Caramel Apple as well as Cranberry Orange Financier Cakes, dinner rolls and egg bakes. Fresh croissants, Danish, cookies and bars will be available at the counter while supplies last.
Cost: $36-$41 for pies
To order: Orders can be placed online with pick-up from 7 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Miss Molly’s Cafe & Pastry Shop
9201 W. Center St., (414) 249-5665
missmollyscafe.com
Miss Molly's is offering a selection of Thanksgiving pies for pre-order including Pumpkin Pie with Spiced Chai Whipped Cream $35 (serves 8); Dutch Apple Pie with Caramel Drizzle $35 (serves 8); Pumpkin Cheesecake $55 (serves 16); Cornbread Muffins with Honey Butter $18 (half dozen); Pumpkin Muffins $18 (half dozen); Quart of Housemade Ice Cream $16 (Vanilla Bean or Gingerbread).
Cost: $16-$35
To order: Place your order online. Order cut-off is Nov. 23 with pick up on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 9211 W. Center St. (three doors down from bakery)
MOR Bakery*
5504 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 249-3316
morfoodsmke.com
*MOR operates from a dedicated gluten-free kitchen
This is what I had for you last time:
MOR is offering a variety of pies and tortes including Cranberry & Pear Pie with Streusel Topping (vegan); Apple Pie with Streusel Topping (vegan); Pumpkin Pie (vegan); Pecan Pie (vegan); Pecan Pie with Chocolate Ganache (vegan); and Pecan Pie or Pecan Pie with Chocolate Ganache, both made with brown sugar (not corn syrup), dairy and eggs. Additional items include Pumpkin Torte; Caramel Apple Cheesecake Torte; and Pumpkin Cheesecake Torte (contains dairy and eggs)
Cost: $32-$44
Order: Orders can be placed online beginning Thursday, Nov. 12. Order cut-off is Thursday, November 21 at 7 p.m. with pick-up on Tuesday, November 26 from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the bakery.
Mr. Dye’s Pies
3rd Street Market Hall
275 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 759-4992
Mr. Dye's Pies on Facebook
Mr. Dye's Pies is currently taking orders for Thanksgiving pies in flavors including Blueberry Hill, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato with Pecan Topping, Purple Monster, Purple Monster with Pecan Topping, N'Awlins Pecan, Dr. Carver (peanut butter pie) and Key Lime.
Cost: $24-$40
To order: Call (414) 759-4992 to place your order. Please allow 48 hours notice. Pick-up is at 3rd Street Market Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Signature Sweets
signaturesweetsbakery.info
(414) 751-0316
So maybe you're not a pie person. How about a 10" triple layer cake from Signature Sweets? Flavors include Strawberry Eclair, Carrot, Lemon, Chocolate Oreo, Reese's Peanut Butter and Red Velvet Cream Cheesecake with triple chocolate/ganache or vanilla whipped frosting for $60 each. A limited number of Caramel cakes are also available for $65 each.
Orders must be placed online now for pick-up on Nov. 27 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Maslowski Community Park in Glendale, 2200 W. Bender Rd.
Tiffany's Dessert Bar
460 W. Silver Spring Dr., Bayshore Mall, Glendale
(414) 509-8003
tiffanysdessertbar.com
Tiffany's Dessert Bar offers a multitude of sweets for Thanksgiving including Sweet Potato Pie, bundt cakes, caramel cakes and seasonal cheesecakes including Pumpkin Spice Latte and Honeycrisp Apple.
Cost: $40-$65, depending on selection
To order: Place your order online or call the bakery at (414) 509-8003.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.