I am not a regular pie-shell lover, however, I do have a recipe for a pie shell that can be made easily in the food processor. If you want, I can post it.
Most of the time I just use homemade graham shells. In the food processor, combine 7 1/2 (those large ones with score marks for 4 individual pieces) graham crackers, about 1/3 cup butter, and 1/4 cup sugar. Process until crumbly and moist. Press into a pie pan and up the sides.
I make about 7 or 8 pies every year so I double the recipe in the processor and make two at a time using foil pie pans (***this way I can prepare the shells ahead of time and stack them in the fridge). Prepare one shell in a foil pan, put a wax paper square over it, do the next shell in pan, put the wax square over it, stack over first, etc.
On pie-making day, I just pull out my shells and fill. You can do this with the pastry shell recipe, of course, too. But I find graham shells are much tastier.
Our staple pies every year are 2 blueberry, and 2 pumpkin. This year one of those pumpkins will be a cream cheese and pumpkin pie. Then I'll make an apple and chocolate cream one. Haven't decided what to do with the extra shells yet. Also will make pumpkin mousse as a sugar-free dessert for my dad. Usually there is a pumpkin cheesecake roll for dessert, but not this year.
Everybody loves my blueberry pie, if you are interested I will post that recipe. The pumpkin is a standard recipe on the back of the can, and the pumpkin cheesecake is a fairly standard one from Ladies Home Journal. The chocolate cream is on the back of the Dream Whip box, and the apple? Well I'm just trying a new recipe this year so if anyone has one of those "tried and true" ones, please post. The one I'm using is from a King Arthur catalog that I cut out.
[This message has been edited by ryan's mom (edited November 20, 2003).]

I just found out what I'm doing with my extra shell(s). My mom was with my sister at a funeral this weekend. My sister called to check on her family and my mom ended up speaking to her oldest grandson (now a teenager). He said, "Grandma, the only reason I really want to come up for Thanksgiving is to eat Aunt X's blueberry pie!"
Guess I'll have to make my nephews an extra pie to take home.

Sugar cookies, Double LayerPumpkin Pie with graham cracker crust, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Apple Crisp. I have recipes if you like. Happy Thanksgiving!

I think this year I will have pumpkin or squash pie(basically the same), cherry cheesecake(a personal craving, LOL), and I may make sugar cookies for dd, if I have the energy. Turkey shaped, of course.
There is only 5 adults and her, so it will be alot of sweets, but seems to be good to have choices on Thanksgiving. Hopefully we can send dome home with my Dad and aunts. becca

The libbys pumpkin pie recipe (back of the can) is really really easy. You can whip this up in less than 10 min and bake for approx 50 min.
I usually make a few of these along with a carrot cake, that is a little more complex than what I think you are looking for.

Ryan's mom--I am interested in seeing your blueberry pie recipe. I have a few lbs of frozen blueberrys from this summer that I would like to try out.
I am also on the lookout for a blueberry crumble/cobbler recipe with a crumb like topping. I made this once, hubby loved it, and I lost the recipe.

I have basically taken over the responsibilty for baking at our family functions, bc this is ususally the one item/course that concerns me the most.
Most of my family would bring in bakery items in the past, but this usually meant that my son could not eat it. And being only 29 months, he doesn't understand why yet.
I like to over bake too, to provide choices, as well as my son likes to help me bake, so its our little bonding time when we do.

Oops! I did not provide recipies!
I too use the recipe on the back of whatever can of pumpkin or squash I buy(the libby's recipe is almost the same as the One Pie squash recipe, but the One Pie *pumpkin* recipe is a bit different than the Libby's pumpkin and the one pie brand squash recipies). The One Pie *pumpkin recipe* is darker with some molasses and brown sugar. All are easy, but I think I like the milder, lighter recipe version.
I also just tried it egg-free, by putting 1/4 cup corn starch in instead of 2 eggs. I will post it on its own if it came out good enough for those with egg allergy as well. Dd's class was making it Monday, so I want to send a piece safe for her, if they do eat it.
I use the cheesecake recipe off the Philadelphia Brand box(but not sure what kind you use). Then I will just put canned cherries on top(just having this pregnant craving for a chilled cherry filling atop a cheesecake, LOL). But I have some strawbwrries in the freezer, so I could leave the toppings on the side.
Wilton sugar cookie recipe(I use egg replacer though) and it is the *best* sugar cookie I have ever made, with or without eggs. You can find it on their website or any cookie cutter packaging that they have. becca
[This message has been edited by becca (edited November 21, 2003).]

I, too, over do it with desserts on holidays. My family has so many individual tastes, I try to include something for every one. Among our favorites are key lime pie, apple pie, pumpkin pie, pizzelle cookies, choc. cake or boston creme pie, and sometimes choc. chip cookies if I have time. Also, my brother always brings a cheese cake from Trader Joe's, but I don't let my PA daughter eat it. My daughters and I love to bake so I have lots of help. Happy THanksgiving!

I got a new recipe for a chocolate tart that looks delicious, and Im making a cheesecake. Im debating about that new Ultimate Turtle Cheesecake. It looks soooo good but Im worried about the pecans. MY ds never had a problem, Ive made pecan pie before, but im not sure Ill do it. If not I also have a good brownie cheesecake recipe. And a sweet potato pie.

Quote:Originally posted by momma2boys:
[b] If not I also have a good brownie cheesecake recipe. And a sweet potato pie.[/b]
Can you post your brownie cheesecake recipe? I have never heard of this combo before, and it sounds wonderful. This sounds like something that I would like to make for the holidays.

CorrinneM1, no problem, I will post it tonight, it is delicious. You make the crust for the cheesecake out of brownie mix! MMMM, hope I can wait til thanksgiving.

momma2boys, I would love that sweet potato pie recipe.
Blueberry Pie recipe:
Use a pie shell you like. I've used homemade pastry shells, but strongly prefer homemade graham ones, especially with this pie.
Pie Crumbs:
1/4 cp. white sugar
1/4 cp. brown sugar
1 stick butter
1 cp. flour
Mix ingredients together to make crumbs for pie. Food processor is easy to use and process until butter is chopped into pea-sized pieces. If doing by hand I put the stick of butter in freezer for a while, then use a cheese grater and grate the butter into the dry ingredients. Set aside.
Pie:
1 1/2 pints blueberries
1/2 - 2/3 cp. sugar (believe me, 1/2 cup works just fine)
1/3 cp. flour.
Mix together. Pour into pie shell and pour pie crumb mixture on top. I like to pat it down just a little.
The original directions said to bake covered at 450 degrees for 45 minutes, then bake uncovered until it browns. 450 always seemed high to me, especially with my old quirky oven (finally got a new one though!) and would set it down to 400 and check it after 30 minutes. You may have to tinker with the oven temp because I worry about the pie bottom burning at such a high temp. Perhaps others with more pie-making experience could post their oven temps for various pies as that would be a big help to me. I see many pies set at 450 to start with for 15 minutes, then reset to 350 for remaining time. If using frozen blueberries, I would let them thaw a little first because the flour and sugar doesn't stick well when frozen.
Such an easy pie to make!
Directions to convert to other pies are posted below, but I haven't made them.
Peach pie: same as blueberry except make 2 pints pealed peaches, cut into slices.
Cherry pie: Pit cherries. Heat flour, sugar, and juice from pitted cherries in skillet till it bubbles. Then mix in with cherries. Bake as directed. (I assume 2 pints, but never wrote it in my notes). *Always use sour cherries.

And Lindajo,
PLEASE post that Boston Creme Pie recipe too!

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake
1 small package brownie mix
2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened

Sweet Potato Pie
Prep time: approx. 30 minutes, Cook time : approx. 1 hour
1 (1 pound) sweet potato

This boston creme pie is soooo easy, people think you slaved over it!
Boston Cream Pie
1 Betty Crocker Vanilla or Yellow cake mix
Tub of ready-made vanilla pudding (I use Kozy Shack or Missy's)
Betty Crocker tub chocolate fudge frosting
Prepare cake mix according to directions in 2 8 or 9-inch round cake pans. Cool completely.
To assemble "cake" spread 1 layer with desired amount of pudding, put the top layer on and spread top layer with some frosting. Viola!
It's really good and it's safer than the store-bought one.
Store leftovers in refrigerator.
[This message has been edited by Lindajo (edited November 22, 2003).]

Thank you for these recipes!
I can't wait to make the Sweet Potato Pie and Boston Cream Pie after Thanksgiving.

raising

Glad this thread was raised again! I never did make that Sweet Potato Pie, but I'm sure going to this weekend!