Let’s be honest. Some of us are pie people, and some of us are “I’ll pick up the pie” people. No judgment here. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26th, and the best local bakers fill up fast, so here’s your guide to ordering a pie that tastes like somebody’s grandma made it (because somebody did).
Right here in Liberty Hill
Michelle’s Patisserie: If your Thanksgiving table could use something a little fancy, Michelle’s does custom cakes and an assortment of beautiful desserts right on Main Street.
Simply Sourdough Okay, not pie. But hear us out: fresh sourdough rolls on the Thanksgiving table? Yes, please. This Liberty Hill home bakery also makes frozen cinnamon rolls (hello, Thanksgiving morning) and frozen sourdough chocolate chip cookie dough balls you can bake whenever the craving hits.
Dahlia Cafe: A Liberty Hill classic since 2007, famous for its “dressed-up country cooking” and homemade pies. Their pie case usually has whole pies ready to go, like buttermilk, chocolate chess, bourbon pecan, peanut butter and the OMGoodness pie. (We’ll let you find out what’s in that one.)
Agape BBQ: Agape’s pumpkin cheesecake is the move if plain pumpkin pie feels too predictable this year. Grab some brisket while you’re there. You’ll thank us on Friday when the turkey’s gone.
The Dainty Duck Gluten Free Bakery: Gluten-free friends deserve pie too! The Dainty Duck is a gluten-free bakery, so everyone at the table gets a real dessert, not a sad plate of fruit.
Just down the road in Leander
Casa Costa Bake Shop: This mother-daughter bake shop lives in a charming 1930s house in Old Town Leander and is known for scratch-made custom cakes and pastries. This fall the case is all things pumpkin: pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins and a pumpkin spice oatmeal cream pie (with a gluten-free version, too!)
Noble Delights Bakery: Regina Noble’s bakery started as a hobby and grew into a storefront. Their bundt cakes are made for a holiday dessert table, and this season’s pumpkin and spice cakes taste like fall on a plate.
The Sweet Cupfé This veteran-owned Leander bakery has seasonal pies on the menu: apple, cherry, bourbon pecan, pumpkin and a brown sugar sweet potato pie we can’t stop thinking about. Grab a maple pumpkin twist for the drive home (it won’t make it home.)
Worth the short drive to Georgetown
Monument Cafe: A local legend. Their famous chocolate and coconut cream pies are the stars, and their Thanksgiving pre-order menu includes traditional pumpkin, pumpkin chiffon, pecan, cherry and apple. Whole pies need at least 48 hours’ notice, so order online early. Staying for lunch? There’s a fried pie of the day served with vanilla ice cream.
Galaxy Bakery & CoffeeHouse: This family-owned bakery just off the Square is best known for its cupcakes, but don’t sleep on the pies. The case usually has mini pies, and around the holidays you can order full-size ones, with pumpkin and apple joining the lineup in the fall. They make cheesecakes and cannoli too, if you want to mix up the dessert table.
Pie tips from the pros
- Do the pie math. A 9-inch pie gives you about 8 slices. Plan on one pie for every 6 to 8 guests, plus one extra, because someone always wants a slice of each.
- Order early. Most bakeries close holiday orders about a week before Thanksgiving. If you’re reading this, now’s the time.
- Pick up Tuesday if you can. Wednesday pickup lines can be long, and you’ve got enough going on.
- Get it home safe. Set the box flat on the floorboard (never the seat), and take those Liberty Hill curves slow.
- Store it right. Cream and custard pies (pumpkin included) go in the fridge. Fruit and pecan pies are fine on the counter for a day or two.
Shop small, Liberty Hill
One of our favorite things about living here is how many talented small businesses we have right in our backyard. Every pie you order from a local baker helps keep that small-town magic going as Liberty Hill grows.
Happy Thanksgiving from Holly & Shelley! Whether you’re buying, selling or just love this town as much as we do, we’re on your team.
