Florida’s Sunshine in a Slice
Florida statute 15.052, passed in July 2006, designates Key lime pie “the official Florida state pie”. Let’s be real, when you think of Florida, you probably picture sandy beaches and palm trees. The state’s Key lime pie captures that tropical vibe perfectly.
This creamy, tart dessert traces its roots back to the 1800s in the Florida Keys, where resourceful fishermen mixed whatever they had on hand. Key West sponge fishermen, called “hookers” by the locals, kept limes on board simply to prevent sickness. They’d mix the juice with sweetened condensed milk, sometimes with wild bird or maybe sea turtle eggs. That yellow filling you see comes naturally from the egg yolks and Key lime juice working their magic together. It was in the 1950s that Key lime pie was promoted as Florida’s “most famous treat” and in 1987 as “the greatest of all regional American desserts.”
New England’s Timeless Tradition
Vermont designated apple pie as the official state pie in 1999. Here’s the thing about New England and apple pie: it’s not just about the fruit. Apple pie with cheddar is popular in the American Midwest and New England, particularly in Vermont, where it is considered the state dish.
The state legislature got pretty specific about serving requirements too. Official state legislature dictates that Vermont apple pie should be served with at least one of the following: a glass of milk, a slice of Vermont cheddar cheese, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Maine is home to more wild blueberries than any other state – we’re talking 60,000 acres of blueberry fields. So, naturally, every diner, lobster shack and other Maine eatery swears to have the best blueberry pie. Honestly, it’s hard to say which state takes pie more seriously.
The Southern Pecan Powerhouse
In 2013, it was officially designated as the State Pie of Texas, thanks to efforts by State Representative Marsha Farney. This rich, gooey masterpiece reigns supreme across multiple Southern states. Pecan pie is the leading dessert choice in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
Pecan pie came to be closely associated with the culture of the Southern United States in the 1940s and 1950s. Pecans are native to the southern United States. The exact origin story remains murky, but what we do know is that the Southern pecan pie has been a staple part of the Thanksgiving table since the 1930s, when recipes for a syrup-based pecan pie appeared on the labels of Karo syrup bottles. The sweet, nutty filling combined with that perfect crunchy topping creates something magical.
The Midwest Cherry Champions
Cherry pie comes out on top as the favorite pie in 11 states. This berry pie dominates the appetites of the Midwest. That’s a serious regional dominance. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Michigan is one of the top producers of tart cherries in the country, yielding 253 million pounds of tart cherries and about 20,000 tons of sweet cherries in 2018. One of the best ways to use all this fruit is in a classic cherry pie. The combination of sweet and tart makes this pie a summer favorite, though people across these states enjoy it year-round. I think there’s something satisfying about watching that ruby-red filling bubble through a lattice crust.
California’s Mysterious Black Bottom
Although there’s some controversy over their origin, “black bottom” pies, or pies made with chocolate graham cracker crusts, reportedly had their earliest appearance around 1930 in California. After its creation, the pie grew from a Golden State specialty to a nationwide phenomenon. The name alone sparks curiosity.
This chocolate-based creation represents California’s knack for taking traditions and making them distinctly their own. The state’s innovative spirit shows up even in dessert form. Whether it originated from necessity or creativity, the black bottom pie became a signature West Coast treat that spread across the country faster than anyone expected.
Georgia’s Sweet Potato Soul
Sweet potato pie found strong followings in Georgia, Maryland, and North Carolina – two heritage desserts that capture the spirit of Southern comfort and tradition. Recent data from Thanksgiving 2024 confirms what Southerners have known forever. This dessert carries deep cultural significance.
Sweet potato pie is to the south what pumpkin pie is in the north. According to Southern Kitchen, sweet potatoes were introduced in West Africa before crossing the Atlantic with the slave trade. Families began handing down sweet potato pie recipes through the generations, and this difficult-to-make, time-consuming dessert became so important that it would typically be the trademark dish of just a few family members. The smooth, spiced filling represents generations of tradition passed down through careful instruction and loving preparation.
Massachusetts and the Boston Cream Confusion
The official state dessert of Massachusetts, Boston cream pie was created at the Omni Parker House in downtown Boston in 1856. It’s since been reimagined as cupcakes, doughnuts and more, but the pie will always be No. Wait, it’s technically a cake?
Technically, Boston cream pie is a cake. But it’s such a weird – and delicious – dessert that we had to throw it in here. According to New England Today, it was invented at Boston’s Parker House, and they’ve long claimed credit for giving it that strange name. The layers of sponge cake, custard filling, and chocolate glaze create something undeniably special. Nobody seems to know exactly why they called it pie instead of cake, which honestly just adds to its charm.
Arkansas and the Playful Possum
Possum pie, Arkansas’ most iconic pie, is so named because its whipped cream topping hides the pie’s true chocolaty nature underneath, which hides another layer made of cream cheese, sour cream or vanilla pudding. Don’t worry, no actual possums were harmed in making this dessert.
The name comes from the concept of “playing possum,” as the layers hide beneath each other in delicious deception. This regional specialty shows Arkansas’s playful approach to dessert naming. The combination of chocolate, cream, and pecans creates layers of texture and flavor that surprise first-time tasters. Honestly, it sounds like something dreamed up on a lazy Sunday afternoon when someone decided rules were merely suggestions.
The Wild Card Winners
Some states march to their own drummer when it comes to pie. Chicken pot pie was the most searched pie in Texas and Alaska, while you’ll see shepherd’s pie in Massachusetts, spaghetti pie in Minnesota, and tomato pie in South Carolina and New Jersey. Savory pies deserve their moment too.
Oregon celebrates marionberry pie as a signature dessert. Wild blueberry pie has been the official state dessert of Maine since 2011. Each state brings something unique to America’s pie landscape, creating a patchwork of regional flavors and traditions. According to a 2024 survey by GE Appliances of more than 1,500 people across all 48 states of the contiguous U.S., preferences vary wildly depending on where you call home. What’s your state’s claim to fame?