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Approximately 200,000 Americans work as bakers, expertly catering to the nation’s enduring love for pie.
Each year, grocery stores alone sell around 186 million pies, according to the American Pie Council (yes, it’s a real organization!).
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, the biggest pie day of the year is almost here.
Since pies represent significant culinary passion and a slice of our paycheck, we set out to uncover the freshest insights regarding pie preferences across the states.
Continue reading for Zippia’s updated state of pie:
Most Interesting Findings
- Pumpkin pie reigns supreme, favored by 42 states.
- Pecan pie is the top choice in 5 states, all of which are Southern, while apple pie holds the title in 3 states.
- No state claims sweet potato pie as their favorite, but it could easily top the list in a pecan-less world.
- Alaska adores pumpkin pie the most, while Mississippi shows the least love for it.
- Thanksgiving is not just pie season; 7 states are searching for cake recipes slightly more than pie recipes.
- What cake is trending? Based on Google searches, cheesecake is leading the charge.
- Vermont ranks as the best state for bakers, aligning with the cozy vibes of Hallmark movies.
- Currently, there are 4,853 baker jobs available.
Most Popular Thanksgiving Pies Nationally
- Pumpkin
- Apple
- Pecan
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Cream Pie
How We Determined This
To identify each state’s favorite pie, we utilized Google Trends data from November 2023.
On Thanksgiving Day, overall pie search volume typically spikes as home cooks strive to create the perfect dessert. Therefore, the most accurate assessment of favorite Thanksgiving pies is best made after the holiday.
Using this data, we analyzed various pies for their popularity. Generally, while people can choose any pie for Thanksgiving, most prefer seasonal favorites and reserve berry pies for summer.
From there, we focused on the top three contenders—pumpkin, apple, and pecan—and compared them, resulting in the delightful map you see.
Give ’em pumpkin to talk about
This highlights just how competitive the “pie races” are, with many states being separated by mere percentages.
What does this mean for you, the pie bringer? It suggests that whatever pie you choose will likely be welcomed with open arms. However, if you want to play it safe, opting for a pumpkin pie will probably bring the biggest smiles.
If you decide to bring a second pie, apple is a great choice—unless you’re in the South, where pecan is a must or your granny might shed a tear.
See Also: Pie Holidays
Each State’s Favorite Thanksgiving Pie
| State | Pie |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | Pecan |
| Mississippi | Pecan |
| Alabama | Pecan |
| Arkansas | Pecan |
| Texas | Pecan |
| Oklahoma | Pumpkin |
| Georgia | Pumpkin |
| Tennessee | Pumpkin |
| North Carolina | Pumpkin |
| South Carolina | Pumpkin |
| Kentucky | Pumpkin |
| New Mexico | Pumpkin |
| Virginia | Pumpkin |
| Missouri | Pumpkin |
| Colorado | Pumpkin |
| Kansas | Pumpkin |
| Arizona | Pumpkin |
| District of Columbia | Pumpkin |
| Florida | Pumpkin |
| West Virginia | Pumpkin |
| North Dakota | Pumpkin |
| Indiana | Pumpkin |
| Illinois | Pumpkin |
| Alaska | Pumpkin |
| Washington | Pumpkin |
| South Dakota | Pumpkin |
| Utah | Pumpkin |
| Massachusetts | Apple |
| Maryland | Pumpkin |
| Nebraska | Pumpkin |
| Wyoming | Pumpkin |
| Wisconsin | Pumpkin |
| California | Pumpkin |
| Iowa | Pumpkin |
| Minnesota | Pumpkin |
| Michigan | Pumpkin |
| New York | Pumpkin |
| New Hampshire | Pumpkin |
| Idaho | Pumpkin |
| Ohio | Pumpkin |
| Nevada | Pumpkin |
| Montana | Pumpkin |
| Delaware | Apple |
| Oregon | Pumpkin |
| New Jersey | Pumpkin |
| Pennsylvania | Pumpkin |
| Connecticut | Pumpkin |
| Maine | Pumpkin |
| Vermont | Pumpkin |
| Hawaii | Pumpkin |
| Rhode Island | Apple |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
