Two holiday dessert recipes you need to try

‘Tis the season for indulgence and while fruitcake has its merits (…or does it?), nothing lights up a holiday table like pie.

Consider giving your tried-and-true recipe the year off and testing out one (or both!) of these holiday pie recipes from Michael Ciapciak, owner of the much-loved shop Bang Bang Pie (Logan Square and Ravenswood.

Festive no matter what you’re celebrating, both of these pies are guaranteed crowd pleasers.

Crumble-Topped Apple Pie

For the pie purist, the humble apple will forever be unrivaled. “Aside from its status as America’s classic dessert, apple pie provides all the warm fuzzies you want for the holidays,” Ciapciak says.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have the time (or the interest) to make your own dough, you can buy a ball of pre-made pie dough from Bang Bang Pie or pick one up wherever you shop.

Eggnog Custard Pie

Ciapciak knows eggnog isn’t always well received: “People either love or hate the flavor,” he says. “We wanted to create a version that no one could possibly hate—so we whipped it into pie form. The molasses flavor of the rum really shines.”