National Pie Day is the perfect excuse to start baking—even if you’ve never made a pie before. Pies may look impressive, but many are surprisingly simple when broken down step by step. With the right recipes, beginner bakers can create beautiful, delicious pies without stress, fancy tools, or advanced skills.
This guide features easy pie recipes with every step fully explained. Each recipe includes clear ingredients, simple instructions, helpful tips, and common mistakes to avoid. These pies are forgiving, affordable, and guaranteed to build your confidence in the kitchen.
If you’re celebrating National Pie Day for the first time—or teaching kids, teens, or new bakers—this guide is for you.
🥧 Why These Pie Recipes Are Perfect for Beginners
These recipes are ideal for first-time pie makers because they:
- Use store-bought crust options
- Require minimal prep and tools
- Avoid complicated techniques
- Forgive small mistakes
- Deliver great flavor with simple ingredients
🍎 1. Easy Classic Apple Pie (Beginner Version)
This simplified apple pie removes unnecessary steps while keeping classic flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 store-bought pie crust (top + bottom)
- 5 cups peeled, sliced apples
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and flour.
- Place the bottom crust into the pie dish.
- Add apple filling evenly.
- Cover with the top crust and pinch the edges.
- Cut 3 small slits on top for steam.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes until golden.
Beginner Tip: If edges brown too fast, cover with foil.
🍫 2. No-Bake Chocolate Pudding Pie
Perfect for beginners who want zero oven use.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crust
- 1 box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes.
- Pour into the crust.
- Chill for 2 hours until set.
- Top with whipped cream before serving.
Why It’s Easy: No baking, no slicing fruit, no timing stress.
🍋 3. Simple Lemon Icebox Pie
Bright flavor with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crust
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Mix condensed milk, lemon juice, and zest.
- Pour into the crust.
- Chill for 3 hours.
Beginner Tip: Juice bottled lemons if fresh lemons feel intimidating.
🍓 4. Easy Strawberry Cream Pie
A soft, creamy pie with fresh fruit.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crust
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Fold sugar into whipped cream.
- Gently mix in strawberries.
- Spoon into the crust.
- Chill for 1 hour.
🫐 5. Blueberry Dump Pie
No mixing, no measuring precision.
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust
- 1 can blueberry pie filling
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread filling into the crust.
- Dot with butter.
- Bake 40 minutes.
Why Beginners Love It: Minimal steps, consistent results.
🍒 6. Cherry Pie with Canned Filling
Classic look with beginner ease.
Ingredients
- 2 pie crusts
- 1 can cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fill the bottom crust with cherry filling.
- Cover with the top crust.
- Bake 45 minutes.
🍌 7. No-Bake Banana Cream Pie
Soft, creamy, and forgiving.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker crust
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla pudding
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Whisk pudding and milk.
- Layer bananas in the crust.
- Pour pudding over bananas.
- Chill for 2 hours.
🍑 8. Easy Peach Pie (Canned Peaches)
No peeling or slicing required.
Ingredients
- Pie crust
- 2 cups canned peaches (drained)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix peaches, sugar, and cornstarch.
- Fill crust and bake 45 minutes.
🍯 9. Honey Custard Pie
Smooth texture with gentle sweetness.
Ingredients
- Pie crust
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk eggs, honey, and milk.
- Pour into the crust.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until set.
🍪 10. Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake)
One of the easiest pies ever.
Ingredients
- Chocolate cookie crust
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup whipped topping
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix peanut butter and sugar.
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Spread into the crust.
- Chill for 2 hours.
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👩🍳 Beginner Pie Baking Tips
- Always read the recipe first
- Use store-bought crusts
- Measure ingredients loosely
- Chill no-bake pies fully
- Let baked pies cool before slicing
❓ Beginner-Friendly Pie FAQ
What is the easiest pie for beginners?
No-bake pudding or cream pies are the easiest.
Should beginners use store-bought crust?
Yes—it saves time and reduces stress.
How do I know when my pie is done?
Filling should be set and the crust lightly golden.
Can kids help with these pies?
Absolutely—many are kid-safe and fun.
🎉 Final Thoughts
Baking pies doesn’t have to be scary. These beginner-friendly pie recipes prove that anyone can celebrate National Pie Day with confidence. Start simple, enjoy the process, and soon you’ll be baking pies like a pro 🥧💛
