We all scream for ice cream, but we cry happy tears for pie.
Nothing is as American as apple pie. Nothing symbolizes home like a pie baking in the oven. And nothing brings people together like pie. There are fancier desserts, trendier desserts, but pie is in a league of its own. It remains the perfect combination of sweetness and warmth, the most comforting of comfort foods.
And there’s good news. Even in this hectic, hurried world, some folks are still taking the time to make pie the old-fashioned way — working the dough, rolling out the crust, whipping egg white for meringue and so forth. It takes skill and patience. And the results are worth a drive.
Here’s where to find some of Arizona’s best homemade pies.
Cottonwood: Dawnie’s Delightful Desserts
At first bite, you’ll realize this isn’t your mom’s apple pie. It’s too lush, too complex. Your mom probably didn’t use three types of apples — Fuji, Granny Smith and Gala. And even if she did, it’s unlikely she took the time to fire roast the Fujis, giving them a caramelized glaze for a deeper flavor. But that’s how chef Robert Carr makes Dutch apple pie at Dawnie’s Delightful Desserts.