How To Set Up A Thanksgiving Pie Bar Cart

A Thanksgiving Pie Bar Cart is a creative and festive way to serve your pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie this Thanksgiving.

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, then there’s a good chance that you’ll be serving more than one pie.

If so, why not make your life easier and let everyone help themselves with a pie bar?

Not only will it save time when preparing for guests, but it’s also an easy way to add some extra flair to the night without adding too much extra work.

This blog post provides step-by-step instructions on how to create your own pie bar in just 20 minutes using items you already have at home.

Table of Contents: Thanksgiving Pie Bar

1. What You Need To Set Up A Thanksgiving Pie Bar
2. ‘Apple Pumpkin Pecan’ Printable Download
3. How To Build A Thanksgiving Pie Bar
4. Video
5. ‘Recipe’ Card

What You Need To Set Up A Thanksgiving Pie Bar

There are six essentials to build a Thanksgiving pie bar:

#1: Bar Cart

Depending on the event or theme, I may mention that a bar cart is optional, and you could get away with counter space (ex: Margarita Bar).

However, with a Thanksgiving pie bar cart, you’ll definitely want to use a bar cart to complete the look.

Tips For Arranging Your Pie Bar Cart:

• It may be counterintuitive, but the tableware should be positioned on the middle shelf, not the top shelf. Save the top shelf for the pies.
• To-Go Boxes are perfect for the bottom shelf since not every guest will need one.

#2: Pies

It’s no secret: the best pie bars have the best pies.

Whether you make your own pies or use store-bought, make sure the pies look beautiful and taste delicious.

I chose a combination of pies from Costco and my own homemade mini pie recipes.

Mini pies (and pie truffles) are a great way to add variety to your pie bar.

Check out some ideas here.

How Many Pies Do I Need?

The number of pies you need depends on the number of guests, the size of your bar cart, and the way you display your pies.

I recommend aiming for 3 pies (including an assortment of mini pies and truffles), but no less than 2 pies and no more than 4 pies.

Reasoning: one pie is boring and five pies are too many to fit onto most bar carts (and you may end up with way too many leftover slices).

What Kind Of Pies Should I Use?

This is totally up to you!

I chose the three most common Thanksgiving pies: apple, pumpkin, and pecan.

Here are some mini pie and pie truffle recipes to consider:

• Mini pumpkin pie recipe
• Bourbon butterscotch mini pecan pie recipe
• Pumpkin pie truffles
• Pecan pie truffles

Also, check out 70+ Best Thanksgiving pie Recipes From Country Living for more pie recipes.

How To Cut The Perfect Slice Of Pie?

If you choose to arrange slices on a lazy susan as I did, it’s especially important that you cut ‘perfect’ slices.

A ‘perfect’ slice means that the crust didn’t break and the pie filling (mostly) stayed intact.

Instructions:

1. Start with a clean and sharp knife (this is obvious but really important).
2. Point the knife downward so that it creates a 45-degree angle with the table.
3. Cut the pie in half.
4. Rise the knife under water and remove any crumbs or pie filling that stuck to the knife.
5. Repeat Step 2-4 to cut the pie into quarters.
6. Repeat again until you have cut the pie into eights or sixteenth (your preference).

Pro tip: freeze the pie for 15 minutes before slicing it. I learned this from Tippin’s Pies (check out the side for more details).

#3: Serving Platters

When possible, opt for a couple of serving platters that add height and dimension to your pie bar.

I chose elevated serving platters and a tiered serving platter.

#4: Plates, Forks, Napkins & To-Go Boxes

A pie bar isn’t complete without plates, forks, napkins, and to-go boxes.

Feel free to use paper and plastic or silverware. Both have their pros and cons.

Paper and plastic: Pro is that it’s usually more festive and clean up is easier. The con is that it can be more ‘cheap’ looking.

Silverware: Pro is that it is more elegant. The con is that it is usually less festive.

#5: Chocolates

Chocolates (or other sweets) are a great way to add variety and satisfy guests that may not love pie as we do. For more festive Thanksgiving dessert ideas, check out:

• Kid-friendly Thanksgiving Dessert Board
• Easy Fall Snack Board

#6: Decor

There are so many options when it comes to decorating your pie cart!

Think small and festive items so your decor doesn’t take up too much room or look out of place.

Remember, your decor should complement and enhance the pies, nothing more, nothing less.

I chose flowers, mini pumpkins, garland, and framed printable art (that you can download, too).

‘Apple Pumpkin Pecan’ Printable For Your Thanksgiving Pie Bar

Let us know where to send your free printables using the form below!

Exactly How To Build A Thanksgiving Pie Bar

The instructions below are tailored for bar carts that are 3 levels.

If your bar cart is 2 levels, then adjust slightly.

Also, make sure to check out the video below!

Instructions

1. First, clear off your bar cart and move any alcohol and barware to a separate space.
2. Next, position the decor:
   • Flowers in the top right corner and the bottom left corner.
   • Printable art in the top left corner.
   • Mini woven pumpkins scattered across the bar cart.
3. Then, position the tableware:
   • Plates, napkins, and silverware on the middle right shelf.
   • To-go boxes in the bottom left corner.
4. Lastly, prepare and position the desserts:
   • Assortment of Thanksgiving chocolates in the bottom right corner.
   • Slice and plate the pies and chocolates.
   • Two serving platters of pie on the top shelf and place the remaining serving platter on the middle-left shelf.

Thanksgiving Pie Bar

A Thanksgiving Pie Bar is a creative, festive, and easy way to serve your pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie this Thanksgiving.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• Bar Cart

Decor

• 1 Large Boquet Of Flowers
• 2 Small Bouquets Of Flowers
• 1 Framed 'Apple Pumpkin Pecan' Sign
• 3 Woven Pumpkins
• 2 Strands Autumn Garland

Tableware

• Plates
• Forks
• Napkins
• To-Go Boxes

Serving Platters

• 2 Elevated Serving Platters
• 1 Tiered Tray
• 1 Lasy Susan `

Desserts

• 1 Whole Pumpkin Pie
• 1 Whole Pecan Pie
• 1 Whole Apple Pie
• Thanksgiving Chocolates

Instructions

 

• First, clear off your bar cart and move any alcohol and barware to a separate space.

Position The Decor

• Large boquet of flowers in the top right corner.
• Two small bouquets of flowers in the bottom left corner.
• Printable art in the top left corner.
• Mini woven pumpkins scattered across the bar cart.

Position The Tableware

• Plates, napkins, and silverware on the middle right shelf.
• To-go boxes in the bottom left corner.

Prepare And Position The Desserts

• Chocolates in the bottom right corner.
• Slice and plate the pies and chocolates.
• Two serving platters of pie on the top shelf and place the remaining serving platter on the middle-left shelf.

Notes

Note estimated time does not include baking pies or making chocolate.

Keyword Apple Pie, Bar Cart, Friendsgiving, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Thanksgiving