Quick Answer: December 1 National Pie Day is an unofficial food holiday celebrated each year on December 1, dedicated to honoring pies of all kinds — sweet, savory, deep-dish, and hand-held. It’s a great excuse to bake, share, or simply enjoy a slice of your favorite pie as the holiday season kicks off.
Key Takeaways
- December 1 National Pie Day falls on December 1 each year and celebrates all varieties of pie.
- It is separate from the more widely known National Pie Day on January 23, which is recognized by the American Pie Council.
- The December date has no single founding organization but has grown through food blogging communities and social media.
- Both sweet pies (apple, pumpkin, pecan) and savory pies (chicken pot pie, quiche) qualify for the celebration.
- Baking a pie from scratch, visiting a local bakery, or hosting a pie tasting are all popular ways to observe the day.
- Pie has roots going back thousands of years, with ancient Egyptians and Romans making early versions of filled pastry.
- The holiday pairs naturally with the start of December’s festive cooking season.
- Sharing pie with neighbors, coworkers, or food banks is a meaningful way to mark the occasion.
What Is December 1 National Pie Day?
December 1 National Pie Day is an informal food holiday that encourages people to celebrate pie in all its forms on December 1. Unlike some food holidays with a clear founding organization, this date emerged organically through food culture communities online and has gained traction year after year.
It’s worth noting that there are two National Pie Days on the calendar. The American Pie Council officially recognizes January 23 as National Pie Day, with a longer history and organized events. December 1 operates as a complementary celebration — less formal, more community-driven, and perfectly timed to kick off holiday baking season.
Who is it for? Anyone who enjoys pie. Home bakers, restaurant owners, food bloggers, and pie enthusiasts all participate. There are no rules about which type of pie qualifies.
A Brief History of Pie: From Ancient Kitchens to Modern Tables
Pie has one of the longest culinary histories of any food. The concept of encasing a filling in a pastry shell dates back to ancient civilizations.
- Ancient Egypt (circa 9500 BCE): Early grain-based pastry cases were used to hold honey and nuts, according to food historians.
- Ancient Rome: Romans made savory meat-filled pastries called artocreas, often served at feasts.
- Medieval England: Pies became a staple, with thick-crusted “coffins” (the original word for pie crust) used to preserve meat fillings.
- Colonial America: Settlers adapted European pie traditions using local ingredients — pumpkin, cranberries, and pecans — creating distinctly American classics.
- 19th–20th century: Pie became deeply embedded in American culture. The phrase “as American as apple pie” reflects how central it became to national identity.
The December 1 celebration taps into this long tradition, arriving just as home cooks across the country start planning their holiday menus.
How Is December 1 National Pie Day Different from January 23?
These two pie holidays serve different purposes and audiences.
| Feature | December 1 National Pie Day | January 23 National Pie Day |
|---|---|---|
| Date | December 1 | January 23 |
| Founding body | Informal / community-driven | American Pie Council |
| Official recognition | No formal recognition | Industry-recognized |
| Timing | Start of holiday baking season | Mid-winter |
| Focus | All pies, festive spirit | Pie culture and industry |
| Events | Mostly grassroots | Organized contests, bakery events |
Choose December 1 if you want a reason to bake during the holiday season or align your celebration with December festivities. Choose January 23 if you’re looking for organized events, competitions, or industry-level recognition.
Both days are worth celebrating — there’s no rule against honoring pie twice.
What Types of Pie Are Celebrated on December 1 National Pie Day?
Every type of pie counts. The December 1 celebration is intentionally broad, welcoming sweet and savory options alike.
Sweet Pies
- Apple pie — the perennial American classic
- Pumpkin pie — a natural fit for early December
- Pecan pie — rich, nutty, and ideal for the holiday season
- Cherry pie — tart and vibrant under a lattice crust
- Chocolate silk pie — smooth and indulgent
- Key lime pie — a bright contrast to heavier winter flavors
Savory Pies
- Chicken pot pie — a hearty cold-weather comfort dish
- Quiche — endlessly versatile; try our quiche cookbook collection for inspiration
- Shepherd’s pie — ground meat and mashed potato, a British classic
- Beef and ale pie — pub-style and deeply satisfying
- Spinach and feta pie — lighter, Mediterranean-inspired
💡 Pro tip: If you’re baking for a crowd with dietary restrictions, a gluten-free pie crust can make the celebration inclusive for everyone at the table.
How to Celebrate December 1 National Pie Day
There are plenty of ways to mark the occasion, whether you’re an experienced baker or someone who prefers to let a bakery do the work.
Bake From Scratch
Making a pie from scratch is the most hands-on way to celebrate. A basic shortcrust pastry requires flour, butter, salt, and cold water — nothing exotic. Fill it with whatever is in season or whatever sounds most appealing.
Simple celebration checklist:
- Choose a pie type (sweet or savory)
- Gather ingredients the day before
- Make or buy pastry dough
- Prepare filling and assemble
- Bake and cool before serving
- Share with at least one other person
Visit a Local Bakery
Many bakeries run specials on food holidays. Call ahead or check social media to see if a local shop is offering discounts or limited-edition flavors on December 1.
Host a Pie Tasting
Invite friends or family to each bring a different pie. Set up a tasting table with small slices, score sheets, and a friendly vote for a favorite. It’s a low-effort, high-reward way to try many varieties at once.
Donate to a Food Bank
Several community organizations accept baked goods around the holiday season. Baking an extra pie and donating it is a meaningful way to extend the spirit of the day beyond your own kitchen.
What Are the Most Popular Pie Recipes for December 1?
The best pie for December 1 is one that fits the season and your skill level. Here are practical suggestions by category:
For beginner bakers:
- Store-bought crust + canned pumpkin filling = a respectable pumpkin pie in under an hour
- A simple chicken pot pie using rotisserie chicken cuts prep time significantly
For intermediate bakers:
- Classic apple pie with a homemade butter crust and cinnamon-spiced filling
- Quiche Lorraine with bacon, Gruyère, and a custard base
For advanced bakers:
- Flaky rough puff pastry beef and mushroom pie
- Caramelized onion and goat cheese tart with a hand-rolled shortcrust
If you enjoy baking beyond pie, carrot cake and cream puffs are other baked celebrations worth exploring on the food holiday calendar.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Baking Pie
Even experienced bakers run into problems. These are the most frequent issues and how to fix them:
- Soggy bottom crust: Blind-bake the crust before adding wet fillings, or brush with egg wash before filling.
- Crust shrinking: Don’t stretch the dough to fit the pan — let it relax and drape naturally.
- Runny fruit filling: Add a thickener (cornstarch or flour) and let the pie cool fully before slicing.
- Burnt edges: Use a pie shield or a ring of foil over the crust edges for the last 15–20 minutes of baking.
- Cracked custard top (pumpkin, quiche): Bake at a lower temperature and don’t overbake — a slight jiggle in the center is fine when you pull it from the oven.
FAQ: December 1 National Pie Day
Q: Is December 1 National Pie Day an official holiday? A: No. It is an informal food holiday with no government or industry body behind it. It’s celebrated voluntarily by food enthusiasts and home bakers.
Q: Who created December 1 National Pie Day? A: There is no single documented founder. The date gained popularity through food blogs and social media communities over time.
Q: Is it different from January 23 National Pie Day? A: Yes. January 23 is the American Pie Council’s recognized National Pie Day. December 1 is a separate, community-driven celebration with no formal affiliation.
Q: What kind of pie should I make for December 1? A: Any pie you enjoy. Pumpkin, apple, and pecan are seasonally appropriate for early December, but chicken pot pie or quiche work equally well.
Q: Can savory pies be celebrated on this day? A: Absolutely. Savory pies — pot pies, shepherd’s pie, quiche — are fully included in the December 1 celebration.
Q: How do I find local events for December 1 National Pie Day? A: Check local bakery social media pages, community Facebook groups, or food event websites. Many bakeries run informal specials without heavy advertising.
Q: Is there a hashtag for December 1 National Pie Day? A: Common hashtags include #NationalPieDay, #PieDay, and #December1PieDay on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Q: Can I celebrate if I don’t bake? A: Yes. Buying a pie from a bakery, ordering pie at a restaurant, or simply sharing a slice with someone all count as valid ways to observe the day.
Q: Are there pie-adjacent holidays nearby on the calendar? A: December 31 is National Champagne Day, which pairs well with a dessert pie celebration to close out the year.
Q: What’s the easiest pie for a first-time baker? A: A no-bake chocolate cream pie or a store-crust pumpkin pie are the most beginner-friendly options with reliable results.
Conclusion
December 1 National Pie Day is a simple, joyful food holiday that arrives at exactly the right time — just as the holiday season begins and the urge to bake and share comfort food peaks. Whether the plan is a from-scratch apple pie, a savory chicken pot pie, or a bakery run on the way home, the day is an easy one to honor.
Actionable next steps for 2026:
- Pick your pie now — decide on sweet or savory and gather ingredients before December 1.
- Invite someone to share it with you; pie is better with company.
- Explore the calendar — food holidays run year-round, and January 23 National Pie Day gives pie lovers a second celebration just weeks later.
- Try something new — if apple pie is the usual go-to, December 1 is a good reason to attempt a quiche or a hand pie for the first time.
Pie has fed people for thousands of years. One day a year to celebrate it is the least it deserves. 🥧
References
- American Pie Council. (n.d.). National Pie Day – January 23. Retrieved from americanpiecouncil.org
- Goldstein, D. (Ed.). (2015). The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets. Oxford University Press.
- Davidson, A. (1999). The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford University Press.