Happy National Pie Day!

Here are a few classic and simple Southern pie recipes from my mom’s recipe box. She has had many for more than 50 years. The best family recipes are those passed down year after year, whether they are clipped from the local paper, shared by a neighbor or by your family.

What’s your favorite pie recipe? Here are three classic and easy to make Southern pie recipes passed down by my mom!

Golden Pecan Pie (clipped from The Tennessean 30 plus years ago)

3/4 cup of sugar
1 tbsp flour
pinch of salt
3 eggs beaten
1 cup of light corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp melted margarine or butter
1 cup of pecans
1 unbaked deep pie shell

Combine dry ingredients in bowl and add beaten eggs, syrup, vanilla and butter
I whip a few minutes with whisk to make sure well mixed. Stir in pecans
Pour in pie shell (place on cookie sheet in case it runs over.)
Bake preheated at 350 for 55 to 60 minutes

I usually add 1/2 cup or more chocolate chips

Best Ever Chocolate Pie (from my Great Aunt Johnnie)

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tbs flour
3 tbs cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1 large can evaporated milk
4 large egg yolks, beaten
2 tbs melted butter
2 tsp vanilla

Sift together sugar, flour, cocoa and salt. Add milk beaten egg yolks, butter and vanilla. Mix well. Pour in deep dish pie shell and bake 425 degrees for 10 minutes and then 325 for 30 to 35 minutes. Spread meringue on pie. Bake until slightly brown.

Best Ever Meringue

8 tbs sugar
1 tbs cornstarch
1/2 cup water
3 egg whites ( sometimes use the 4 left over )
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine 2 tbs sugar with the cornstarch in small saucepan and add water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and clear. Beat egg whites with salt and vanilla until soft mounds form. Add 6 tbs sugar gradually, beating well after each addition. Add hot mixture in a stream and continuing beating until meringue stands in stiff peaks. Spoon over filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Simple Fudge Pie (from my mom’s friend Lana who owns the amazing goat farm in Cross Plains, Tennessee and hosts a pumpkin patch each fall)

1 cup sugar
2 tbs flour
4 tbs cocoa
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
3 tbs melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Beat eggs and pour in rest of ingredients in a bowl. Mix well using a whisk and pour into pie shell. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 45 minutes or a little more.