Making Thanksgiving dinner can be a lot of work. While it doesn't have to be hard to put together a great meal (we've got loads of trouble-shooting tips here to ensure success), every trick to save time and energy trying to serve up great food to a crowd is worth having in your back pocket. This is where hacking the dessert course comes into play.
Our assortment of Compliments pie ranges from seasonal hits like apple and pumpkin to pecan pie, apple crumble and more, available in a variety of frozen or ready-to-eat formats. You can happily serve up slices to family with a smile without any extra effort. But we have five tips to add a little homemade flair to the event, including one extra-special tip for making brûléed pumpkin pie!
1. Pumpkin Pie with Maple Whipped Cream and Maple Cookies
Maple Crème Drizzle
Mash sandwich-cookie filling with 1½ to 2 tbsp (20 to 25 mL) 35% cream until smooth. Drizzle over each pie serving.
2. Pecan Pie with No-Churn Bourbon-Vanilla Ice Cream
No ice-cream-making gadgets required here. This four-ingredient ice cream recipe is quick and easy to make and will add an elegant finish to each slice of Compliments Pecan Pie. Here's how to make it:
Slice vanilla bean in half lengthwise, if using. Use the back of a paring knife to scrape out seeds from bean; set aside. In a bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat 1 cup (250 mL) 35% cream until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 min. Reduce speed to low; beat in ⅔ cup (150 mL) sweetened condensed milk, reserved vanilla seeds (or 1½ tsp/7 mL vanilla extract) and 2 to 3 tsp (10 to 15 mL) bourbon until just combined. Mixture should be smooth and fluffy. Scrape mixture into a resealable container. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours. Serve slices of Compliments Pecan Pie topped with a scoop of ice cream.
3. Apple Pie with Warm Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Apple pie à la mode is about as classic as it gets, but apple pie with a spoonful (or two) of ruby-red spiced cranberry sauce? Yes, please! (Die-hard ice cream lovers: Go all-in and try a little of both.) Here's how to sauce up Compliments Apple Pie this Thanksgiving:
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine 1½ cups (375 mL) fresh or frozen cranberries, ½ cup (125 mL) granulated sugar and ¼ tsp (1 mL) cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst, 1 to 2 min. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce starts to thicken, 7 to 10 min. Set aside to cool slightly. Serve slices of Compliments Apple Pie topped with a spoonful of warm cranberry sauce.
4. Brûléed Pumpkin Pie
The sweet crackle on top of this pie is pure elegance! While this hack does require a kitchen torch, once you have one, you can brûlée to your heart's desire in the kitchen (think browning the top of mac 'n' cheese, toasting marshmallows for s'mores, or melting the cheese on bowls of French onion soup. Here's how to brûlée your Compliments Pumpkin Pie:
Using the back of a spoon, gently press down on edge of Compliments Pumpkin Pie to create a smooth, flat surface. Sprinkle 6 to 8 tbsp (90 to 120 mL) granulated sugar evenly over pie to the edge. Using kitchen torch, caramelize sugar until melted and golden. Garnish with fruit, if desired. Serve immediately.
Tip: Using more sugar will create a thicker sugar "crust," which will give a nice shatter effect when broken.
5. Apple Crumble Pie and Peanut Butter-Yogurt Breakfast Parfait
Leftovers, what leftovers? Just in case you didn't eat the whole pie, we've got a tasty trick to transform an extra slice or two into parfait perfection. Here's how to make parfaits with Compliments Apple Crumble Pie:
In a bowl, stir 2 cups (500 mL) Greek yogurt with ½ cup (125 mL) natural peanut butter until smooth. In glasses or small jars, alternate layers of chopped Compliments Apple Crumble Pie and peanut butter yogurt, ending with yogurt layer. Sprinkle with peanuts, if desired.
Tip: Use jars to turn this into a portable breakfast.
