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When November rolls in, so does one of the most heated Southern food debates you’ll ever hear around a holiday table: pumpkin pie or pecan pie. Now, I’ll be honest with y’all — I’m a pumpkin girl myself. Not because I don’t appreciate a good pecan pie, but because I don’t actually eat pecans. I’ll straight-up scoop that gooey middle out and leave every single nut sittin’ right there on the plate like they offended me personally. But that’s the beauty of this debate — it’s all about tastes, traditions, and what your family grew up serving.
Pumpkin Pie: The Cozy Classic
Pumpkin pie is smooth, spiced, and comforting in that “wrap-you-in-a-blanket-by-the-fireplace” kind of way. Most folks expect it on the Thanksgiving table — almost like if it’s missing, the whole meal feels off. It’s the kind of pie that tastes like fall in a single bite, with cinnamon and nutmeg doing all the heavy lifting.
It’s also the more widely loved option for people who aren’t into crunchy textures. Creamy, velvety, and topped with a lil’ whipped cream? Hard to beat.
Pecan Pie: The Sweet Southern Icon
Now on the other side of the ring, we’ve got pecan pie — the pride and joy of many Southern kitchens. Thick, sugary filling, a buttery crust, and toasted pecans on top that give it that unmistakable crunch. It’s richer, sweeter, and absolutely decadent.
For folks who grew up with pecan trees in the backyard or grandmamas who baked this year-round, pecan pie isn’t just dessert — it’s heritage.
Even though I don’t actually eat the pecans, I’ll gladly enjoy that sweet filling. It’s like candy baked into a crust, and I’ll never turn down a slice… as long as I can pick the nuts off.
Which Pie Wins the Holiday Table?
Truth is, both pies hold their own in completely different ways. Pumpkin brings the warm spice. Pecan brings the deep sweetness. One is creamy, one is crunchy. One tastes like fall, one tastes like the South.
So really, the “winner” depends on whose house you’re visiting.
But in this kitchen? Pumpkin takes the crown — with pecan pie filling coming in as a strong runner-up once those pecans head on out.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the holidays aren’t about picking the “right” pie. They’re about sharing dessert with people you love… even if you’re scraping the toppings off before you dig in.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.