I have to admit that at the beginning of summer I take advantage of the bounty. I put off cooking and, after a long winter (and lame spring) of long-cooked stews and comfort foods, I find solace in serving deliciously fresh fruits and veggies that need little to no cooking. It feels like it will last forever and then, suddenly, right around this time, I think: I haven't baked a pie.
I'm ready. Now is the moment and it's worth the effort. The bounty won't last much longer, but long enough to bake one—or more—of these amazing summer fruit pie recipes. Who's with me?
Related: 5 gorgeous summer pies to make right now.
For starters, If you're a fan of pie, you must try making Erin Jeanne McDowell's Deep-Dish Cherry Pie with the recipe she shared on Food52. It's huge in the most wonderful way, packed with juicy, sweet cherries that won't be around much longer. It's the perfect way to enjoy them while you can. I also love a classic Mixed Berry Pie like this one at Bakers Royale. It doesn't get more delicious and you can use whatever combination of berries are best near you. Pair this with a late summer berry picking outing with the kids and you've got a win-win. The peak of strawberry season has passed, but there are still delicious ones out there. And the ginger in this Strawberry Ginger Polka Dot Slab Pie at Brooklyn Supper will help enhance any that are less than perfectly ripe.Related: Easy cherry recipes that aren’t all dessert. But some are.
Late summer is a wonderful time for stone fruit and to make an Apricot Raspberry Pie from Yossy Arefi's recipe at Design*Sponge. he combination is a less expected, but just as homey, especially topped with fresh, homemade whipped cream. (Note: The recipe is now archived through the Library of Congress or through the link we included via the Web Archive.) If you're a purist, skip flourishes like ginger and stick to one fruit like in-season peaches. I love how easy it is to assemble this Peach Slab Pie at La Peche Fraiche. It's also a great way to feed a crowd, making this a delicious addition to your next cookout. Blueberries are also wonderful right now and always a good idea for pies like this Blueberry Pie recipe at The Sugar Hit. Plus, there might be no better combination than warm, gooey blueberry pie filling and cold vanilla ice cream. If you like the idea of blueberry pie, but can't deal with making a pie crust, try this easy, 3-step Blueberry Puff Pastry Tart at Handmade Charlotte. Using puff pastry is one of our favorite shortcuts and it's put to seriously good use in this recipe.Related: 7 easy fruit dessert recipes for lazy summer evenings. Or whenever.
Another lovely shortcut is to make a rustic, open-faced galette instead of a pie. This Plum Blueberry Galette at Style Sweet CA is a great example of how the thrown together look—which comes from a thrown together process—has a kind of charm that works just as well as any fussy pie crust. Or get fussy. Seriously fussy, in the most wonderful way. Style Me Pretty has a tutorial on 8 pie crusts that wow, from chevron to herringbone, swiss dot to calligraphy. (Yes, calligraphy.) Each is more beautiful than the next and a fun way to up the ante if you have the time.
