Where to buy Thanksgiving pies in Central Jersey
What is Thanksgiving dinner without pie?
Whether the pies are apple, cherry, chocolate or blueberry, pies are the quintessential end to any holiday feast.
But if you don't have time to bake your own pies, here are some Central Jersey places to pick up one or two... or three.
Becca's Bakery, Raritan Township
Fall is the season of pie, said Rebecca Kauffman, owner of Becca's Bakery in Dutch Country Farmer's Market behind Shop-Rite off Route 202-31 in Raritan Township.
Pumpkin and apple pies are the two biggest sellers at her storefront, but other varieties include strawberry-rhubarb, apple walnut, apple crumb, French apple, blueberry crumb, shoefly, pecan, pumpkin crème, peanut butter crème and more.
In business for a dozen years, Kaufmann's pie recipes are a mix of her own and her mother's. All are baked from scratch.
Pies are sold by the slice ($3.75), in half ($8) and full sizes ($14). They can be purchased baked or unbaked/frozen.
"Some people want to buy the pies [unbaked] that and have the smell coming from their home on the holiday," Kaufmann said.
The shop will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Go: 19 Commerce St., Raritan Township; 908-806-3904, bit.ly/2pwn28p.
Blue Sheep Bake Shop, Somerville
Known for its decadent and show-stopping cakes, The Blue Sheep Bake Shop also has its eyes on pie. For this Thanksgiving, varieties such as spiced pumpkin, apple crumb and chocolate mousse are tempting customers.
"We put time into making the pies beautiful," said Karin Giamella, owner and baker. "For example, we cut leaves out of pastry dough that we use to garnish the pumpkin pie with."
Besides four-inch, $3.95 individual-sized spiced pumpkin tartlets and apple crumb pies, those flavors come in a nine-inch pie size for $24.95 as well.
Also on the menu for the holidays is a brown sugar apple crisp for $34.95, chocolate mousse pie for $29.95 and a four-pack of autumn harmony tartlets for $15.80 in pumpkin spice, apple crumb, ganache and pecan flavors.
The Blue Sheep Bake Shop also offers ice cream pies for $29.95, each featuring flavors such as pumpkin chai, crème brulee, roasted pistachio cannoli, Oreo and peanut butter.
Ice cream in several flavors and sizes also are available for pre-order and pickup to complement the pies. The bakery also has Thanksgiving and fall-themed cakes.
Orders can be placed until capacity is reached, and orders must be picked up the day before Thanksgiving. First-come, first-serve pies to-go are also available.
Go: 9 Division St., Somerville; 908-393-1824, bluesheepbakeshop.myshopify.com. To order online, go to bluesheepbakeshop.com/collections/thanksgiving-2023.
More: These Central Jersey restaurants are serving Thanksgiving dinner — so you don't have to
Giamarese Farms Market, East Brunswick
Family-owned Giamarese Farm and Orchards has been a reliable presence in the area for several generations. As the fall harvest holiday weekends wind down, its farm market remains open for business.
Pies available for Thanksgiving orders include four kinds of apple − traditional apple, apple crumb, French apple and sugar-free apple. Customers can also choose from pumpkin, blueberry crumb, strawberry rhubarb, pecan and coconut custard.
All pies are $16.99 and a $5 deposit per pie is required when pre-ordering.
Pies will be available for pickup Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Go: 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick; giamaresefarm.com, 732-821-9494.
LiLLiPiES Bakery, Princeton
LiLLiPiES Bakery prides itself on its small-batch baking − and small pies.
The bakery specializes in single-serving three-inchpies.
"Single-serving LiLLiPiES allow you to serve a variety of flavors to your guests," said Jen Carson, owner and baker.
For those who believe bigger is better, traditional nine-inch pies also are available. All LiLLiPiES are made with organic flour and local and/or organic ingredients whenever possible.
"All of our pies are rolled out, shaped and crimped by hand," Carson added.
Pie varieties in the nine-inch size include apple crumb with New Jersey apples; pumpkin with First Field heirloom pumpkin; cherry crumb, which is also available as gluten-free or vegan, bourbon pecan and cranberry-key lime.
A LiLLiPiES nine-pack is available with three each of the bakery's most popular flavors or a three apple crumb, three cherry crumb, and three bourbon pecan box.
The cost is $35 for either the nine-inch pie or nine-pack of the single-serve pies.
Thanksgiving items can be pre-ordered at lillipies.com/product-category/localproducts/ until capacity is reached. Preorder items are available for pick up between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. either on Tuesday, Nov. 21 and Wednesday, Nov. 22.
Carson said LiLLiPiES will be baking extra pies, sourdough breads, and English muffins for first-come, first-served availability on Tuesday and Wednesday for last-minute shoppers.
Ten percent of all Thanksgiving pie proceeds will be donated to HomeFront NJ.
You also can bake your own treats with the LiLLiPiES Cookbook, available online or at the bakery, which features more than 100 recipes, including all of the store's Thanksgiving pies. A new children’s book, "Pie For My Birthday," which includes four recipes is available in the store or from the website.
Go: 301 N Harrison St., Princeton; 609-423-2100, lillipies.com.
Maddalena's Cheesecake & Catering, Ringoes
Famous for its signature cheesecake for more than 40 years, Maddalena's also is a pro in the art of the apple crumb pie, the "People's Choice" at the Allentown Fair in 2017.
About 15 years ago, apple crumb made its debut on the holiday menu. It became so popular that it was granted year-round status. Owners Gene and Janet Maddalena decided if they were to add another dessert to the menu it must be made without fillers or preservatives.
"The dessert tastes like his grandmother baked it, with fresh Granny Smith apples, an all-butter and milk crust, crumb topping and pure bourbon vanilla," Janet Maddalena said. "Our customers just absolutely love our apple crumb pie."
A few years ago, the bakery also began offering a double-crust apple pie as a reduced-sugar option. Much to the relief of some hard-core pie fans who feared their apple crumb was gone, this version was in addition to the original.
"The double-crusted pie is made with the same fresh Granny Smith Apple filling, but it is topped with a pie crust instead of a sugary crumb topping," Maddalena said.
Apple crumb and double-crust apple pies are available first-come, first-serve as they are sold frozen. Both 10-inch pies are $29.95. Apple crumb pie also is sold by the quarter for $8.95 and by the half for $17.25.
The store is open all Thanksgiving week, including Thanksgiving Day.
Go: 415 Route 31 N, Ringoes; 609-466-7510, maddalenascatering.com.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Where to buy Thanksgiving pies in Central Jersey
