From the Pantry to the Pie Plate: Homemade Pie Recipes and Desserts

From the pantry to the pie plate, that's where these homemade pie recipes come to life. Leftover pastry can become something different, too: my fortune cookies made with pie crust are a fun example.

On our homestead, pies and fruit desserts are one more way to use fresh, frozen, home-canned, and even store-bought ingredients to make something delicious for an everyday meal, holiday dinner, or family gathering.

This growing collection includes traditional fruit pies, easy crisps, cast-iron desserts, mini pies, pie-inspired casseroles, and other homemade desserts.

Some of these recipes are made completely from scratch, while others take advantage of a shortcut or two.

That's real homestead life.

Some days you have the whole afternoon to roll out a crust and make the filling from scratch.

Other days, the chores pile up, supper is already running late, and you need to make something good with what you already have in the pantry.

Maybe you have more fruit than you know what to do with, a jar of home-canned pie filling waiting to be opened, or you simply want something warm and comforting after supper.

Either way, you'll find plenty of ideas here.

I'll keep adding new pies and desserts as the seasons change, including new flavor combinations, dependable family favorites, and whatever else finds its way from my pantry to the pie plate.

Choose a Homemade Pie Recipe

Not sure which recipe to make first?

Start with what you have on hand, how much time you want to spend in the kitchen, and where you plan to serve it.

Some days call for a traditional pie made from scratch.

Other days, you need a shortcut, a dessert you can take along, or something you can make without turning on the oven.

This table will help you find the homemade pie recipe or fruit dessert that best fits your day.

If you’re looking for…	Try this recipe
A traditional cherry pie made from scratch	Best Cherry Pie Recipe From Scratch
Another way to make a classic cherry pie	Cherry Pie Recipe
A cherry pie with maple, vanilla, and bourbon flavors	Maple Vanilla Bourbon Cherry Pie From Scratch
An apple pie made with diabetics in mind	Apple Pie for Diabetics
Small apple pies for individual servings	Mini Apple Pie Recipe Made With Wonton Wrappers
An easy apple dessert for tailgating or sharing	Crescent Rolls Apple Pie Filling Dessert Recipe
A sweet breakfast or afternoon homeschool snack	Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Casserole
A warm apple dessert made in cast iron	Cast Iron Apple Crisp Recipe
A cherry dessert made in a cast-iron skillet	Best Cast Iron Skillet Cherry Crisp Recipe
An apple dessert for camping or outdoor cooking	Apple Crisp Dutch Oven Recipe
An apple crisp that doesn’t require the oven	Apple Crisp Instant Pot Recipe
An easy cherry dessert for a family meal or potluck	How to Make Cherry Oat Crisp Casserole

Traditional Homemade Pie Recipes

These traditional homemade pie recipes are for those days when you want a fresh baked old-fashioned pie sitting on the kitchen counter, ready to slice and share after supper.

You'll find familiar fruit pies here, along with a few recipes that put a different spin on the classics.

My Best Cherry Pie Recipe From Scratch is a good place to begin when you want to slow down and make a cherry pie the traditional way.

My Cherry Pie Recipe gives you another option because, as any home baker knows, there is more than one good way to make a cherry pie.

When you want something with a little more depth, try my Maple Vanilla Bourbon Cherry Pie From Scratch.

Maple, vanilla, bourbon, and cherries come together in a pie that feels special enough for a holiday or family gathering, but you certainly don't need to wait for a special occasion to make it.

I've also included my Apple Pie for Diabetics because having dietary restrictions shouldn't mean sitting at the table while everyone else enjoys dessert.

It is a practical option that tastes great when you need an apple pie made with diabetics in mind.

Whether you're working with fresh fruit, frozen fruit, or ingredients already waiting in the pantry, these recipes make it easier to put a homemade pie on the table.

Mini Pies and Easy Pie-Inspired Desserts

Mini pies and easy pie-inspired desserts give you all those familiar pie flavors without always requiring you to make and roll out a traditional pie crust.

These are the recipes I turn to when I want something warm and homemade, but I don't necessarily have an entire afternoon to spend in the kitchen.

They are also useful when you have apple pie filling waiting in the pantry and want to do something with it besides make another full-size pie.

My Mini Apple Pie Recipe Made With Wonton Wrappers turns apple pie into an individual dessert that is easy to serve and fun to eat.

The wonton wrappers take the place of traditional pie dough, so there is no crust to mix, chill, or roll out.

These little apple pies are a practical choice for parties, holiday dessert tables, family gatherings, or anytime you want a smaller portion.

They are also a good way to use a small amount of apple pie filling when there isn't enough left to fill an entire pie.

The Crescent Rolls Apple Pie Filling Dessert Recipe is another easy option for busy days.

Refrigerated crescent rolls and apple pie filling come together to make a warm dessert without a long list of ingredients or a lot of preparation.

It is also a fun choice for fall tailgating because it is easy to divide into individual servings, pack up, and share.

I appreciate recipes like this during the busiest times on the homestead, when the chores still need to be finished and I want to make something sweet without adding more work to the evening.

It is simple, comforting, and easy to put together with ingredients you can keep on hand.

Then there is my Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Casserole, which combines the familiar flavors of cinnamon rolls and apple pie in one easy dessert.

It works for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, and it also makes a warm afternoon snack when everyone needs a break during a busy homeschool day.

Since it is baked in one dish, it is easy to serve straight from the pan without fussing with a pie plate or rolling out a crust.

It is also a practical choice for holiday breakfasts, family gatherings, or any morning when you want something a little sweeter than the usual breakfast.

These recipes may not be traditional pies, but they offer the apple, cinnamon, and baked fruit flavors we expect from one.

They are practical, approachable, and made for real days when homemade dessert sounds wonderful, but time is limited.

Homemade Fruit Crisps

Homemade fruit crisps are one of the easiest ways to turn fresh, frozen, or preserved fruit into a warm dessert without making a pie crust.

The fruit bakes underneath a sweet, crumbly topping, giving you many of the flavors of a homemade fruit pie with less preparation.

Crisps are especially useful during harvest season when fruit is coming in faster than you can preserve it, but they are just as welcome in the middle of winter when you pull fruit from the freezer or pantry.

My Cast Iron Apple Crisp Recipe is a comforting dessert made and served in a cast-iron skillet.

It is a natural choice for the homestead kitchen and works well when you want a warm apple dessert without rolling out pie dough.

The Best Cast Iron Skillet Cherry Crisp Recipe offers that same rustic simplicity with cherries and a crisp topping.

If you enjoy cooking outdoors, my Apple Crisp Dutch Oven Recipe gives you another way to prepare a homemade apple dessert.

It is a good option for camping, backyard cooking, or making dessert outside when you already have the Dutch oven in use.

For days when you want apple crisp without turning on the oven, try my Apple Crisp Instant Pot Recipe.

The Instant Pot offers a practical alternative when the oven is occupied, the kitchen is already warm, or you simply need a more hands-off way to prepare dessert.

My Cherry Oat Crisp Casserole brings cherries and an oat topping together in an easy-to-serve dish for family meals, holidays, and potlucks.

Whether you are working with apples, cherries, or another seasonal fruit, a homemade crisp is a simple way to turn what you have on hand into something warm and satisfying.

Choosing Fresh, Frozen, Dehydrated or Home-Canned Fruit

One of the best parts of homestead baking is learning to use what you have instead of waiting for the "perfect" ingredient.

During harvest season, that might mean making a pie with fruit picked from your own trees, berry patch, or a nearby farm.

Fresh fruit is wonderful, but the season never lasts as long as we would like, and sometimes the harvest comes in faster than we can possibly use it.

Freezing fruit gives you more time to decide what to make.

I like being able to pull fruit from the freezer in the middle of winter and turn it into something that tastes like summer.

Depending on the recipe, frozen fruit may release more liquid as it thaws, so check the individual recipe before making any adjustments.

Home-canned fruit and pie filling make dessert much easier on busy days.

A jar sitting on the pantry shelf has already done most of the hard work for you.

My Five Spice Cherry Canning Recipe is one way to preserve cherries with a warm blend of spices that makes them useful long after cherry season ends.

If apples are coming in, the Red Hot Apple Wedges Canning Recipe offers a fun change from traditional canned apples with its familiar cinnamon flavor and bright red color.

I also have a basic Apple Canning Recipes for those years when the apple harvest is especially generous and you need to fill the pantry shelves with something you can use in multiple ways later on.

Not every canned fruit recipe is intended to become pie filling, but these recipes show just how many ways a harvest can be saved and enjoyed later.

Dehydrated fruit deserves a place in the pantry too.

My How to Dehydrate Cherries tutorial is a good starting point for preserving cherries when freezer space is limited.

Dehydrated fruit may need to be rehydrated before using it in a dessert, and it will not always substitute evenly for fresh fruit.

And yes, store-bought fruit and pie filling count too.

Homesteading is about making practical use of what is available - not proving that every ingredient came from your own land.

Choosing the Right Dessert for the Occasion

The best dessert is not always the fanciest one.

It is the one that fits the day, the people you are feeding, and the amount of time you actually have.

Here are a few easy ways to match the recipe to the occasion.

• Holidays and Sunday dinners: A traditional homemade pie feels right when everyone is gathering around the table. Cherry, apple, and maple vanilla bourbon cherry pies can be made ahead and served after the meal.
• Parties and individual servings: Mini apple pies made with wonton wrappers are easier to serve than cutting a full-size pie. Guests can pick one up without needing a plate, knife, or pie server.
• Fall tailgating: Crescent-roll apple desserts are easy to divide, pack, and share. They give you familiar apple pie flavor in a form that is much easier to take away from home.
• Homeschool mornings and afternoon breaks: Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Casserole works for breakfast, brunch, or a warm snack between lessons. It is especially handy when everyone needs something filling before moving on to chores or the next subject.
• Camping and outdoor cooking: Cast-iron and Dutch oven fruit crisps are a natural fit for cooking outside. They are rustic, forgiving, and do not require a perfectly rolled crust.
• Busy kitchen days: Instant Pot Apple Crisp is a practical choice when the oven is already holding supper, bread, or another holiday dish.

You do not have to make the most complicated dessert to make something memorable.

Sometimes the recipe that works with your day is the one everyone enjoys most.

Homemade Pie and Fruit Dessert FAQs

Can I use frozen fruit to make a homemade pie?

Yes, frozen fruit can be used in many homemade pie recipes, but whether you should thaw it first depends on the recipe. Frozen fruit often releases more liquid than fresh fruit, which can make the filling runny if that extra moisture is not accounted for. Follow the directions in the individual recipe instead of assuming fresh and frozen fruit will behave exactly the same way.

Can I use home-canned pie filling in these recipes?

Home-canned pie filling can make homemade desserts much faster, especially when the fruit has already been prepared, sweetened, and thickened. Only use jars that sealed properly and show no signs of spoilage. Since canned fillings vary in sweetness and thickness, use a recipe written for prepared filling or be ready to adjust the other ingredients carefully.

What is the difference between a fruit pie and a fruit crisp?

A fruit pie has a pastry crust on the bottom and may also have a top crust. A fruit crisp usually has no bottom crust and is topped with a crumbly mixture that often includes oats, flour, sugar, and butter. A fruit crisp is one of the simplest ways to enjoy pie filling without making pie dough.

Which pie desserts are easiest for beginners?

Fruit crisps, pie casseroles, and desserts made with prepared dough are usually the easiest choices for beginning bakers. They do not require crimping, weaving a lattice top, or worrying about whether the bottom crust will bake through. The best pie dessert is one that builds confidence and still tastes good even if it does not look perfect.

What pie desserts can I make without a traditional crust?

You can make fruit crisps, pie casseroles, wonton-wrapper mini pies, and desserts made with crescent rolls or cinnamon rolls. These options provide familiar fruit-and-spice flavors without mixing and rolling pastry dough. They are also useful when you have filling to use but do not have pie crust ingredients - or simply do not feel like making one.

Which desserts are good for tailgating or potlucks?

Choose desserts that are easy to transport, divide, and serve without making a mess. Mini pies, crescent-roll desserts, sturdy fruit bars, and casseroles generally travel more easily than a soft, freshly baked pie. Avoid leaving temperature-sensitive desserts sitting out, and bring along a serving utensil if guests cannot pick up individual portions.

Can homemade pies and fruit crisps be frozen?

Many homemade fruit pies and crisps can be frozen, but the results depend on the filling, topping, and recipe. Some freeze best before baking, while others should be baked and cooled first. Wrap the dessert well to prevent freezer burn, label it with the date, and check the individual recipe for specific freezing, thawing, and reheating directions.

Can homemade pies and fruit desserts be made ahead?

Many homemade pies and fruit desserts can be prepared ahead, but the best method depends on the recipe. Some pies can be assembled and refrigerated before baking, while others are better baked a day in advance. Crisps may lose some of their crunch during storage, so check the individual recipe before deciding how far ahead to make it.

How do I keep fruit pie filling from becoming too runny?

Runny pie filling is often caused by extra moisture in the fruit, cutting the pie before it cools, or using the wrong amount of thickener. Frozen fruit can release more juice than fresh fruit, and some varieties are naturally juicier than others. Letting a baked fruit pie cool completely gives the filling time to thicken and set before slicing.

Can I substitute one kind of fruit for another in a pie or crisp?

Fruit substitutions are sometimes possible, but they are not always an even exchange. Different fruits contain different amounts of juice, natural sugar, and acidity, which can change the texture and flavor of the finished dessert. Crisps are generally more forgiving than traditional pies, but it is still best to follow a recipe written for the fruit you plan to use.

How should I store leftover homemade pie or fruit crisp?

Storage depends on the ingredients in the dessert. Many basic fruit pies can be covered and kept for a short time, while desserts containing eggs, custard, cream cheese, or other perishable ingredients require refrigeration. Fruit crisps should be covered to keep them fresh, although the topping may soften. Follow the storage directions included with each individual recipe.

From My Homestead Kitchen to Yours

Pie does not have to be perfect to bring people to the table.

It can be made completely from scratch with fruit you grew yourself, pulled together with something preserved in the pantry, or made with a shortcut because the chores took longer than expected.

What matters is that you used what you had and made something worth sharing.

I'll continue adding homemade pie recipes, fruit crisps, and other pie-inspired desserts to this collection as I make them.

Some will follow the seasons, some will help preserve a harvest, and a few will probably begin with me looking through the pantry and deciding to experiment.

Which recipe are you planning to try first?

I'd love to hear what you're making - and whether you used fresh fruit, something from the freezer, or a jar from your pantry.