Thanksgiving Pies...Oh My!

I'm so excited about Thanksgiving coming so soon!  I think in some ways these holidays are more fun when you get older because you end up being more involved in the preparation.  This year, I'm making pies!  I love to bake, but haven't tried many pies.  This will be my first attempt at pumpkin pie and I'm also making an apple pie...that's my favorite and I've done it before, but it gets tricky because sometimes they are too liquidy...and that all depends on the apples.  Not sure what to do about it...so if anyone has suggestions, please share :)

First off, I'm going to use Libby's Pumpkin Pie recipe.

They're the ones who make the pumpkin for the filling, so I figure it's a good place to start!  I can tweak it next year if I like.  This is what it should look like...I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Now, for the actual recipe

For the apple pie, I like to go simple:

• 6 cups thinly sliced apples
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Prepare your pastry for a two crust pie.  Wipe, quarter, core, peel, and slice apples; measure to cups.

2. Combine sugar and cinnamon.  The amount of sugar depends on how tart your apples are.

3. Arrange apples in layers in pastry lined pie plate.  Sprinkle each layer with sugar and cinnamon.  Dot top layer with margarine.  Cover with top crust.

4. Place on lowest rack in oven preheated to 450 degrees F.  Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.  Bake for 30-35 minutes longer.  Serve warm or cold.

I'm looking forward to baking.  These upcoming holidays are just a good excuse!  

What are your favorite pies??