What pie has pecan nuts mixed with a filling of eggs, butter, and sugar?

Pecan pie
Pecan pie

Sweet memories

We love these 10 amazing American pies and cakes!

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that America loves pies and cakes. After all, they are our go-to sweet treats for celebrations and special events. Whether it’s a filling slice of apple pie on the 4th of July or blowing out the candles on your favorite birthday cake, we all have warm memories associated with these delicious desserts. With that in mind, we’ve selected 10 of our favorite American pies and cakes, hoping to pay a fitting tribute to these amazing sweet treats. Enjoy!

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Apple pie

We’ll start with an undisputed American icon: After all, doesn’t the saying go, "as American as apple pie"? This iconic treat has been at the heart of countless American traditions, perhaps most notably during Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks and a slice of apple pie are all we need for a 4th of July to remember.

While apple pies originated in 14th-century England, it wasn’t until they arrived in America that they became a global icon. Over the centuries, several recipes and toppings have emerged, such as whipped cream, ice cream, custard, or even cheddar cheese.

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

Key lime pie

Who says pies can’t be sour? The Key Lime Pie is the perfect example of a "When life gives you lemons" mentality: it takes the lime, a fruit that no one would want to eat raw, and transforms it into a luscious and delicious treat.

The Key Lime Pie is Florida’s official state pie, as it was invented in the "Sunshine State" during the 1940s. Not only that, but the traditional way to make this pie uses Key limes, which get their name from the Florida Keys where they are grown.

Image: American Heritage Chocolate

Blueberry pie

Just like pumpkin pies, blueberry pies were first created by American settlers, who used the abundant varieties of blueberries found in the country to make these delicious treats. Over time, their popularity spread to Europe, where people used their own types of blueberries to try to replicate the American versions.

This sweet treat has become synonymous with the state of Maine, where blueberry pie made with wild Maine blueberries was designated as the official state dessert. However, blueberry pie is still happily enjoyed across the entire nation.

Image: Diliara Garifullina

Pumpkin pie

Just like apple pie is the go-to dessert for the 4th of July, pumpkin pie is instantly associated with Thanksgiving. After all, the origins of this delicious treat can be traced back to the very first American colonists, though it was served in a very different manner. Historians believe that these early versions of pumpkin pie were more akin to a type of pumpkin soup, served inside a hollowed-out pumpkin.

Nowadays, the pumpkin pie we know and love is made with eggs, milk, evaporated sugar, and several spices like nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, often topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

Image: Alexander Grey

Boston Cream pie

According to some historians, Armenian-French chef Mossburg Sanzian created a particularly delicious cream-filled cake one afternoon in 1856 at the Parker House Hotel in Boston. Unbeknownst to Sanzian, his creation would eventually become the iconic Boston cream pie, declared Massachusetts’ official state dessert in 1996.

Since that day in 1856, this iconic dessert has gone by many names, such as "chocolate cream pie" and "Parker House chocolate cream pie." You might be confused by our use of the word "cake," but that was no mistake: The Boston cream pie is technically a cake. Its confusing name comes from the fact that, in the 19th century, both cakes and pies were baked in the same pan, which led these two words to become synonyms.

Image: Marko Klaric

Peanut Pie

American President James "Jimmy" Carter is still well-known for his love of peanuts, so it stands to reason that his beloved wife, Rosalynn, was known for her delicious peanut pie. After all, this pie is a staple of Southern cuisine and is especially beloved in Carter’s home state of Georgia.

Peanut pie is similar to pecan pie in that they are prepared with similar ingredients, such as corn syrup, eggs, and sugar. However, peanut pie is highly versatile and may include other ingredients, such as molasses, cayenne pepper, bourbon, or cream cheese.

Image: ROMAN ODINTSOV

Marionberry Pie

The marionberry pie is a delicious treat, particularly popular in the Pacific Northwest. After all, this type of blackberry is named after Marion County in Oregon, where it was bred and tested during the 20th century.

As you would expect, the marionberry pie is Oregon’s official state pie, and it truly shows. If you ever happen to visit "The Beaver State" during berry season, you’ll probably be welcomed with a warm smile and a slice of delicious marionberry pie.

Image: Larissa Farber

Peach cobbler

Cobbler is definitely the entry with the most baffling name on this list. After all, what does a shoemaker have to do with this delicious dessert? In any case, don’t let this unusual name discourage you; cobblers are a simple yet amazing sweet treat.

While we would love to include as many types of cobblers as we could find, for brevity's sake, we’ll instead focus on one of the most popular cobblers in America: Peach cobbler combines the sweetness and texture of peaches with a crumbly, sweet topping. In 2013, Texas declared the peach cobbler its official state cobbler.

Image: khezez | خزاز

Pecan pie

Standing on the other side of peanut pie, we have pecan pie, another Southern delicacy. Just like peanut pie, pecan pie might seem simple at first glance, but there are several variants and styles associated with this sweet treat. Different recipes include molasses, honey, or cane syrup.

In the American South, pecan pie is closely associated with the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Due to its status as a cultural icon, Texas declared pecan pie its official state pie.

Image: nikohoshi

Cherry pie

While most of us associate the 4th of July with apple pie, it should also be noted that many Americans picture a delicious slice of cherry pie when reminiscing about our Independence Day. Like many other pies on this list, cherry pie can be enjoyed with whipped cream or ice cream.

Cherry pie is also deeply ingrained in American folk songs, such as "Billy Boy," where the titular character is asked whether his bride-to-be can cook a cherry pie. Additionally, cherry pie is linked to George Washington’s birthday, thanks to the popular legend of a young Washington chopping down his father’s cherry tree.

Image: Nik