Photo courtesy of Avalon Cafe & Kitchen.
Can you believe Thanksgiving is mere days away!? It seems like I was just wrapping up my horror movie marathon for Halloween and now I’m about to stuff my face with turkey, stuffing, and, you guessed it, oh-so-delicious apple pie.
That’s right. I’m throwing my hat in the ring for apple pie in Chevy In the D’s Thanksgiving Pie Showdown! Great cases have been made for pecan and pumpkin pie, but I’d be remiss if a case wasn’t made for apple pie. There’s something so quintessential about it that, unless you’re the type to balk at tradition, apple pie should be a requirement at any Thanksgiving meal.
If you’re not planning on baking your own, you’re in the clear because Metro Detroit is teeming with bakeries making some of the greatest apple pies around.
Caramel Nut Apple Pie. Photo courtesy of Achatz Handmade Pie Co.
What started as a family’s mission to sell fresh, delicious pies to Metro Detroiters in 1993 has grown into a multi-location pie-making machine. Achatz prides itself on being the link between its customers and the farmers it sources its ingredients from. That means that the pies they make are made with the public’s wishes in mind. When it comes to apple pies, you have Dutch Apple, Caramel Nut, Double Crust, Fruit Juice Sweetened, and more. Good luck picking just one.
Located in Hamtramck, the Polish New Palace Bakery is known for much more than paczki. They make everything from a traditional apple pie to apple cream and Dutch apple pies in-house. While you’re there, pick up a few breakfast pastries, like donuts and muffins for the morning after or fresh rolls to make turkey sandwiches with. Your family will thank you.
For a limited time, the famed bakery known for their fresh bread will be making fresh Dutch apple pies. They use a house-made sweet, slightly tart, cinnamon filling with a Dutch crumble topping. It’s 100% organic and 100% delicious. You can buy it by the slice or a whole pie. We won’t judge you if you buy a slice for yourself while you’re in the store. You know, for science.
An individual serving of apple pie from Love’s Custard Pie. Photo courtesy of Love’s Custard Pie.
Love’s Custard Pie on Russell St. by Eastern Market is home to sweet, savory and seasonal pies. That, of course, includes their sweet apple custard pie. You’ve never had an apple pie like this as the proprietors, the Love Family, bake all their pies according to southern style, giving it a silky smooth texture. They typically sell all of their pies as individual servings, but you can call them to order full-size pies for special occasions, like Thanksgiving!
Apple Sage Gouda Pie from Sister Pie. Photo credit: E.E. Berger.
While they are no longer taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving this year, they will have a select number of pies available on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 26-27). As part of their Thanksgiving pie lineup, treat yourself to the Apple Sage Gouda. I know what you’re thinking. “Cheese in an apple pie?” Trust me. They grate three year-aged gouda cheese into the pie dough and it makes the crust extra buttery and savory. Then, they fill that puppy with Michigan baking apples, fresh sage, light brown sugar and a hint of spice. Wednesday will be the last time it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until next year. If you didn’t place a pre-order, get to Sister Pie early!
