The Surprisingly Un-American History of Apple Pie - by Jo-Ann Roberts

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Goodness, 2025 is flying by at warped speed! Today is Thanksgiving. Once you've enjoyed the turkey and fixings, and are anticipating dessert, here's a short history of that perennial favorite...apple pie!

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Everyone knows the phrase "as American as apple pie." It's a warm, golden, buttery badge of patriotism that's served up at July 4th picnics, Thanksgiving tables, and small-town diners across the country.

But did you know the star-spangled sweet isn't really American at all? In fact, if this pie had a passport, it would have stamps from England, France, the Netherlands, and a few centuries of travel under its crust.

The French had their Tarte Tatin, the Dutch had their streusel-topped pastries, and the Swedes had apple desserts that could rival anything cooling on an American windowsill.

Tarte Tatin

Swedish Apple Pie

The Apples

The crisp, juicy varieties that many hands across the country slice for pie aren't even native to North America. Early settlers brought seeds from Europe, and it took years of careful grafting and cultivating before America could even produce an apple fit for dessert. The only apples that grew here before colonists arrived were crabapples--tart little guys that definitely weren't meant for a lattice-topped legacy.

Crabapple Tree

The Spices

And what about those warm, cozy spices associated with homemade apple pie? Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove--all imported from Asia via European spice trade routes. So, even the flavor apple pie had to take a long journey to get here.

The Crust (in my opinion, the best part of the pie!)

The idea of encasing fruit in flaky pastry was happening centuries before Betsy Ross ever got to stitching the Stars and Stripes. The concept of wrapping fruit in dough dates back to medieval Europe. The first recorded apple pie receipt (recipe) in England around 1390. It included apples, figs, raisins, pears, and--oddly enough--no sugar! In the 14th century, sugar was a pricey commodity, so dried fruits pulled double duty as sweeteners.

Despite its international roots, apple pie slowly earned its place in American kitchens. By the end of the 18th century, the first American-published cookbook, American Cookery by Ameilia Simmons, included two apple pie recipes.

Cultural Significance

Apple pie's association with American culture came into its own in the early 20th century. It became a symbol of patriotism, especially during World War II, when soldiers would say they were fighting for "mom and apple pie." The phrase "as American as apple pie" began to appear in print around this time, reinforcing its status as a national symbol.

Today, apple pie is celebrated as a classic American dessert, often served at

holidays, family gatherings and, at least in our home, my husband's birthday request. Its significance extends beyond just being a dessert. It reflects the themes of home, comfort, and its deep-rooted connection to American identity despite its non-American origins.

Apple pie's journey from European kitchens and orchards to American tables illustrates the blending of cultures and culinary traditions make it a beloved symbol of American heritage.

"Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and

the warmth of cherished moments."

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CHRISTMAS BRIDES OF HARMONY

This anthology contains three standalone, yet inter-connected, books based in Harmony, Kansas. It’s nearing Christmas and the Circle of Friends Quilting group is planning the Annual Christmas Quilt Giveaway. Here, the quilts are stitched with love and where the quilter weaves dreams into reality, one thread at a time.

Noelle

A widow reluctant to love again…

A deputy determined to win her heart…

With Christmas looming, will the growing attraction between Noelle and the deputy reveal the gift of a second chance? Or could a stranger from the deputy's past threaten the man who captured her heart?

Hope

He was the most stubborn and prideful man she’d ever met.

She was a busybody who stuck her nose in his business at every turn!

As Christmas approaches, will they look beyond each other’s faults and see a future blossom from a special, once-in-a-lifetime friendship?

Ivy

He was the town bully.

She was his target.

Had anything changed?

Was Ivy Sutton willing and able to forgive the boy who made her childhood unbearable?

Can Grady Walsh make up for the reckless actions of his youth?

Or will another steal her away before they have a chance to discover a kind of love that might heal the pain from the past?