If the pressure to perform a miracle with a pie crust every Thanksgiving gives your heart palpitations, skip the fuss and leave it to the professionals. Here’s a lineup of North Shore pâtissiers and bakers who would love to take that task off your hands this Thanksgiving. Just make sure to pay attention to ordering deadlines, and your dessert planning will be as easy as, well, pie.
J Cakes, Peabody
J Cakes’ Thanksgiving dessert menu puts a delicious new spin on classic fall flavors with choices like apple cider donut cake (also available as cupcakes), pumpkin spice cake, and spiced cranberry orange cupcakes. Or go big with the Tri-Caken: layers of pumpkin cake, apple cider donut cake, and carrot cake, with cinnamon cream cheese and caramel apple filling, crowned with a dollop of apple pie filling.
View the menu on J Cakes’ Facebook or Instagram pages, then call 978-871-2516 to order.
Honeycomb, Hamilton
Honeycomb has proven its pie-making skills year after year. This Thanksgiving, gluten-free apple crisp is on offer beside black-bottom pecan pie, chocolate silk pie, traditional apple and pumpkin pies, and apple streusel pie. And don’t forget to add on an order or two of Chantilly cream to crown your chosen treat.
Check out the full line-up and order online at honeycombhamilton.com/thanksgiving.
Appleton Farms, Ipswich
Appleton Farms’ baked goods have developed a passionate following in recent years. This year, in addition to the farm’s signature breads, the farm is taking preorders for apple crumble pie and pumpkin cake, as well as a cheese board kit for those who prefer a more savory final course.
Order online at shopthetrustees.org/collections/appleton-farms-thanksgiving-pre-order.
A&J King Bakery, Salem
A&J King offers an expansive Thanksgiving menu, ranging from breakfast treats like apple crisp croissants to magnificent and creative desserts like pumpkin coffee cream pie. In the spirit of the season, go ahead and add a loaf of bread for the Salem Pantry to your order.
View their full lineup of Thanksgiving items at ajkingbakery.com/collections/all-thanksgiving-items.
Sandpiper Bakery, Ipswich
Sandpiper’s co-owners pour their philosophy of sharing the highest quality food in a manner that feels comfortable and welcoming into every recipe. Sandpiper’s Thanksgiving dessert menu offers familiar, comforting favorites such as apple, bourbon pecan, triple berry, and pumpkin pies.
Preorder at sandpiperthanksgiving.square.site.
Cake Ann, Gloucester
Why have only one pie when you can taste them all, with Cake Ann’s mini pies box, an assortment of pecan, pumpkin, apple crumble, and key lime pies. Or opt for the whimsical and decadent, turkey cake is a chocolate confection that adorned with an adorable expression and colorful feathers, the pumpkin tiramisu, or a full-sized pie in one of five flavors.
Check out all the options and order online at cakeann.com/thanksgiving-menu-1.
Source Bakery, Gloucester
Celebrating their second holiday season in their bricks-and-mortar location in downtown Gloucester, Source Bakery’s owners Julie White and Ashley Barnett will be bringing their signature dedication to locally sourced ingredients to their Thanksgiving offerings. On the carefully curated menu are apple pie, pumpkin pecan pie, and cheddar and leek biscuits.
Order online at sourcebakery.com/thanksgiving-orders.
Twist Bakery & Cafe, Burlington
Holidays centered around food can be a significant stressor for parents and caregivers who have to account for allergies. Set their minds at ease with a trip to Twist Bakery & Cafe, where you can select from an allergy-conscious Thanksgiving line-up includes pumpkin pie with cinnamon cream, chocolate chip cookie pie, traditional double-crust apple pie, and mixed-berry crisp.
Order online at twist-bakery.com/order.
Kane’s Donuts, Saugus
Kane’s may be known for its delicious donuts but, come November, pies join the lineup of crullers and muffins. Eight varieties are on offer this year, from classic apple and pumpkin to indulgent coconut custard and bright lemon meringue.
Order online at kanesdonuts.com for pickup at either of the store’s Saugus locations.
DownRiver Ice Cream, Essex
In its first holiday season under new ownership, DownRiver Ice Cream is trying something new: ice cream pies, available in pumpkin Oreo or caramel apple. A limited number of their indulgent ice cream flavors will also be available in pints and quarts, as well as toppings like hot fudge and sprinkles.
Order online at downrivericecream.com.