Long before it became the undisputed crown jewel of the American holiday dinner table, pie served a far more utilitarian purpose. Ancient Roman and medieval bakers didn’t build golden, buttery crusts for the taste; they baked thick, inedible pastry shells called “coffins,” strictly to preserve meats and to seal in precious cooking juices.
It wasn’t until the 16th century, when refined sugar became a global commodity, that sweet fruit fillings stepped into the spotlight, forever transforming how we celebrate our most comforting holidays. Today, a perfect slice of pie is pure nostalgia, a masterful harmony of flaky, scratch-made pastry and rich, seasonal flavors that effortlessly brings people together.
Fortunately for us, you don’t have to look very far to find world-class bakers. Here in Colorado Springs, local artisans are putting their own spins on this centuries-old tradition. From deeply rooted European heritage recipes to innovative modern flavor combinations, our city’s baking scene is thriving. If you are looking to elevate your holiday dessert table this November, these five local bakeries are serving up some of the finest slices in the Pikes Peak region.
Gold Star Bakery
From its humble beginnings as a food truck to its years at Ivy Wild School, this local legend is celebrating a major milestone this November. The scratch-made bakery is settling into its permanent new home inside reimagined Blue Star restaurant at 1645 Tejon Street. Take note: Holiday orders will be picked up exclusively at this new location on November 24 and 25. Trade the traditional pumpkin pie for their iconic Salted Maple Pie, a velvety, custard-like masterpiece balance with pure maple syrup and flakey sea salt. For an equally delicious option, try the Bourbon Pecan Pie, where a warm, oaky complexity beautifully offsets the toasted sweetness. Everything is handmade with strict batch capacities, so you can round out your dessert spread with freshly baked seasonal cookies and dessert bars. Every single holiday flavor can be ordered fully gluten-free. Secure your pre-order by November 16.
“Whether you’ve been enjoying our pies since our food truck days, or you’re discovering Gold Star for the first time, we’d love to be part of your Thanksgiving celebration,” says Victoria Amato, senior marketing manager. “We can’t wait to welcome you to our new home.”
719.368.6106
goldstarbakery.co
Sugar Plum Cake Shoppe
At Sugar Plum, Thanksgiving dessert is all about cozy comfort and custom flavor adventures. This neighborhood staple is known for hand-rolling delicious, all-butter scratch crusts and honoring custom family recipes. To prevent overwhelming holiday leftovers, Sugar Plum is highlighting single-serving individual pies this season, allowing guests to mix and match traditional fruit, pumpkin and pecan flavors. They also offer a selection of house-made sauces and infused whipped creams to enhance your pie experience. Gluten-free and vegan pie options are also available. Pre-orders are due by Friday, November 20.
“As a devout foodie, Thanksgiving has always been at the top of my ‘favorite holiday’ list,” says Amanda Adams, the store's manager. “The adventure of trying two or three different slivers of pie and the sauces that go with them is truly something to look forward to.”
719.930.3343
sugarplumcakeshoppe.com
Boonzaaijer’s Dutch Bakery
True to their multi-generational European roots, Boonzaaijer’s firmly rejects modern convenience shortcuts. There are absolutely no commissary bake-offs or processed, canned fillings in their kitchen. Instead, every single holiday pastry is meticulously crafted from scratch using raw, unprocessed fruit to ensure premium quality. While they do not offer gluten-free and vegan alternatives, they excel at bringing authentic European flair to the local holiday table. This November, skip the traditional crust and try their signature Caramel Apple Torte, a deep-dish creation baked inside a sweet Dutch pastry shell. Place your orders by Friday, November 20.
“We like to make everything from scratch,” says Stephen Boonzaaijer, the bakery’s manager. “We think the quality results are worth the extra effort.”
719.264.0177
dutchpastry.com
3.14 Pi Bar
This Colorado-proud bakery excels at both sweet and savory pies, making it the perfect destination to take the cooking load off your shoulders during your busy Thanksgiving week. Forgo kitchen duty in the days leading up to the holiday and grab their single-serving savory offerings, like Julia Child’s Beef Bourguignon or comforting chicken pot pies, available as easy take-and-bake options. For the big dessert finale, choose between their legendary full-sized Caramel Apple and Black Bottom Pecan pies, or mix and match their shareable, individual-sized “cutie pies.” Place your orders early before they hit maximum capacity by Sunday, November 15.
“We do not offer gluten-free or vegan options,” says owner Bruce Richards, “but we do have two vegetarian savory pies. And, we offer all savory pies with either pork or vegetarian green chili and mornay as take-and-bake.”
719.314.6172
314pibar.com
Sweet Elizabeth’s Organics
Navigating holiday food allergies or certain dietary restrictions can be stressful, but this bakery provides a completely worry-free Thanksgiving table. Sweet Elizabath’s kitchen is 100 percent organic, gluten-free, vegan, corn-free and entirely free from the top nine major food allergens, including tree nuts and peanuts. Holiday hosts can safely serve classic, crowd-pleasing favorites like pumpkin, sweet potato, chocolate cream and traditional fruit fillings. For bakers who prefer a DIY approach, the bakery also sells scratch-made take-and-bake pie crusts and baking mixes. Secure your allergy-friendly dessert pre-order by Sunday, November 22, at 3 p.m.
“We pack as much nutrition into our baking as possible because when you’re battling an autoimmune condition, food choices can easily exacerbate symptoms,” says Elizabeth Durham, the bakery’s founder. “By ensuring our holiday pies are completely organic, top-nine allergen-free and corn-free, we provide a safe haven for underserved families to celebrate without compromise.”
719.358.7659
sweetelizabethsorganics.com