20+ places to get Thanksgiving pies in North Jersey

Easy as pie? That's a misnomer, if we've ever heard one.

From getting the pastry crust into the pan (without tearing it), to achieving stiff peaks on a meringue, there's nothing easy about pie.

Well, unless we're talking about eating it — or dumping chocolate pudding into those little Keebler graham cracker crusts and calling it pie, like we did in preschool.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, however, we're not discussing either of those things (though we'd love it if one of you guys serves a snack pack pudding pie to your in-laws). On the fourth Thursday of November, it's all about homemade pies; true labors of love stocked with equal parts nostalgia, brown sugar and butter.

Book now North Jersey: These restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner — so you don't have to

But, honestly, when the pie hits the table, no one will really know if you personally made it, or if another baker in the area did. As long as its fresh, fall-spiced and handcrafted? It'll pass without question.

So, if you don't feel like going through the hassle of making your own pie for Thanksgiving this year, read on.

Here are 20(+) North Jersey bakers willing to do the job for you.

Creations by Sabrina, Boonton

Creations by Sabrina is one of our favorite Morris County bakeries. Staffed exclusively by young women in their teens and twenties (and a few of their moms), the spot is cozy, fun and family-oriented. All of the treats it offers taste nostalgically homemade — like fancier versions of the things you'd find at the HSA bake sale as a kid.

Since Thanksgiving is all about loved ones, getting your pies from a kitchen of working relatives is a great idea. Whether you pick Pecan, Apple or Pumpkin, the sweet creation will definitely trick your cousins and in-laws into thinking you made it.

Deadline for orders is November 10th. Pick up is by November 23.

Go: 706 Main St., Boonton; 973-917-3897, creationsbysabrinallc.com.

Le Carré Café & Pâtisserie, Hillsdale

Thanksgiving may be an American holiday, but that doesn't mean the French haven't jumped in on the action. From the upper tip of the state, the pastry chefs at Le Carré Café in Hillsdale are putting their own spin on November's classic desserts; adding artistry, whipped topping and more to Turkey Day's simple pies.

Current flavor options include Apple Crumb, Pecan and Pumpkin, each of which are high-end and sure to please. If you want to try something more European, however, the bakery is also offering large sizes of their Rocher (hazelnut), Fraisier (strawberry) and Black Forest tarts for the occasion.

Deadline for orders is two days before pick up (IE; Tuesday, Nov. 21 for pick up on Thanksgiving Day).

Go: 94 Broadway, Hillsdale; 201-942-8777, lecarrepatisserie.com.

Erie Coffeeshop and Bakery, Rutherford

The cuisine served at Thanksgiving — from the turkey to the stuffing — has hardly changed since the 1800s. You'd think, then, that Erie Coffeeshop and Bakery, a hip, trendy bakeshop known for pushing (and innovating) the culinary envelope, wouldn't have much interest in such a traditionalist event.

Fortunately for the diners of New Jersey, though, they do. And when you combine the team's new-age approach to desserts with the classic flavors of the holiday's past? You end up with Salted Caramel Apple Pie and custard-filled Bourbon Pecan Walnut on flaky butter crust.

Orders open Nov. 3, and will remain open until the 17th (or until sell out). Pick up is Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to noon.

Go: 10 Franklin Pl., Rutherford; 201-460-0073, eatdrinkerie.com.

Ladyfingers Bakery & Bar, Bloomfield

The latest concept by The Brookdale team, Ladyfingers is a boozy, contemporary bakery that simultaneously serves alcohol and desserts. When we visited the spot at its launch party last month, we were impressed by its chic interior and posh vibes. Cheesecake pops we indulged in matched the decor, boasting edible gold leaves and vibrantly colored pink shells.

If you haven't yet visited the fashionable new sweet shop, use Thanksgiving as your excuse to do so. For the occasion, the bakery will be serving Chocolate Pudding, Dutch Apple, Pecan and Pumpkin pies — all stylishly presented, of course, in sleek little pink boxes.

To place an order, email orders@ladyfingers.com by November 20th.

Go: 1109 Broad St., Bloomfield; instagram.com/ladyfingersbakeryandbar.

Jayce Baudry French Pastry, Montclair

Hailing from (probably) the fanciest bakery in Essex County, a pie from Jayce Baudry French Pastry is pretty much the Rolls Royce of Thanksgiving desserts. Beautifully designed, elegantly plated and made with only the finest ingredients, each sweet creation is guaranteed to wow even your most critical relatives.

This year, the shop — whose owner spent two years as executive pastry sous chef at Restaurant Daniel in Manhattan — is offering Chocolate Bourbon Pecan, Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cinnamon Crumb Pies for pick up and local delivery. The treats are also available for purchase through Fauborg, if you're interested in having them alongside an equally luxurious catered dinner.

Deadline to pre-order is Nov. 13. Pick up is between Nov. 14 and 23.

Go: 17 Church St., Montclair; 973-531-6464, jaycebaudry.com.

Starseed Bakery, Rockaway

Want to indulge in a Thanksgiving pie, but without all the sugar, allergens or (conventionally) "unhealthy" stuff? Look no further than Starseed Bakery, which specializes in serving gluten, dairy and GMO-free desserts. At this charming Rockaway mom-and-pop, all-natural desserts — that make you feel as good as they taste — are the name of the game.

Got lactose-sensitive relatives? No worries. A kid with a soy allergy? Not a problem. From Vegan Chocolate Mousse to Sugar-Free Pumpkin, the accommodating bakery has a pie for every dietary need.

Deadline to order Nov. 18. Pick up is by 3 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 22.

Go: 100 Hibernia Ave., Rockaway; 973-957-0500, starseedbakery.com.

The Able Baker, Maplewood

Sick of apple pie, but have a grandma who can't — even after 80 years — live without it? The Able Baker, a popular scratch bakery in Maplewood, has got you covered. With a large Turkey Day dessert menu featuring three quintessential November pies alongside three not-so-common others, the local favorite is a great place to satisfy both sets of tastebuds.

On the traditional side, the bakery is serving Apple, Pumpkin and Chocolate Pecan pies. For something different, however, it's also whipping up Salted Maple Pie, Apple-Cranberry Crumb and a Flourless Chocolate Soufflé (which is technically a cake, but in the height and shape of a pie).

To try any of those aforementioned sweets, order by Nov. 15 for pick up on Nov. 21 or 22 during normal business hours.

Go: 187 Maplewood Ave., Maplewood; 973-313-1133, order.theablebaker.com.

Marc's Cheesecake, Glen Rock

Because some people just don't like pies.

Deadline to order is Nov. 17. Pick up by Thanksgiving Day.

Go: 251 Rock Rd., Glen Rock; 201-857-0880, marcscheesecake.net.

Other favorites:

Alstede Farms: 1 Alstede Farms Ln., Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.

The Artist Baker: 16 Cattano Ave., Morristown; 973-267-5540, theartistbaker.com.

Ciel Dessert: 273 Center Ave., Westwood; 201-497-8899, cieldessert.com.

Cocoa Bakery: 275 Grand St., Jersey City; 201-830-3430, cocoabakerycafe.com.

La Promenade: 137 Piermont Road, Tenafly; 201-567-2500, laprom.com.

Liv Breads: 184 Essex St., Millburn; 973-218-6922, livbreads.com.

Mo'Pweeze Bakery (allergen friendly): 32 Broadway, Denville; 973-627-2300, mopweezebakery.com.

Natale's Summit Bakery: 185 Broad St., Summit; 908-277-2074, natalesbakery.bakesmart.com.

Pie Girl: 117 W Ward St., Hightstown; 609-833-4243, piegirlnj.shop.

Sook Pastry: 24 S Broad St., Ridgewood; 201-493-2500, sookpastry.com.

Sweet & Flour: 300 Front St., Secaucus; 201-552-2678, sweetandflournj.com.

Two Teaspoons: 2 Main St., Hamburg; 973-823-8432, twoteaspoonsnj.com.

Windy Brow Farms: 359 Ridge Rd., Fredon Township; 973-579-9657, windybrowfarms.com.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, join our NorthJerseyEats Facebook group, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Thanksgiving pies in North Jersey: 20+ places to order to-go