Updated November 2026 by Erin Huiatt, Des Moines Parent
Quick answer: For the best pie in Des Moines, try Iowa Orchard in Urbandale (Dutch Crumb Apple), Once Upon an Apple Pie in Grimes (award-winning Salted Caramel Apple Crumble), Crouse Cafe in Indianola (famous cherry pie), ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery in Highland Park and Pie Bird Pies (Friday pickups in Des Moines). Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, 2026, so order holiday pies one to two weeks ahead.
Give me all the pies! Whether you’re team French silk, key lime, peanut butter or classic apple, the Des Moines area is FULL of talented pie bakers. Sure, we all love “Free Pie Wednesday,” but this holiday season, bookmark this list, place your orders early and support our local bakers.
Des Moines Pie Shops at a Glance
| Pie shop | Town | Known for | How to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Baker’s Pantry | Dallas Center | Mast Family Farm pies | Walk in or call |
| ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery | Des Moines (Highland Park) | 10-inch from-scratch pies | Walk in or order ahead |
| Crouse Cafe | Indianola | Cherry pie, cream pies | Dine in or carry out |
| Domestic Bones | Des Moines | Savory hand pies | Online, pop-ups |
| The Flaky Crust Pie Shoppe | Clive (home bakery) | Fruit and cream pies | Email special orders |
| Iowa Orchard | Urbandale | Dutch Crumb Apple, 25+ flavors | Walk in; order ahead for holidays |
| Jess Desserts | Des Moines area | Pumpkin, French silk, key lime | Custom orders |
| Once Upon an Apple Pie | Grimes | Salted Caramel Apple Crumble | Fri–Sat shop, pre-orders |
| Pie Bird Pies | Des Moines (home bakery) | Seasonal fruit pies, hand pies | Weekly online pre-order, Friday pickup |
| Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse | Des Moines | Savory Australian meat pies | Bakehouse, Hy-Vee |
| Pies and Pastries by Lana | Des Moines area | Award-winning pies, pies in jars | Order 48 hours ahead |
| Pleasin’ Pies | Urbandale (home bakery) | Pies, cakes, cookies | Call or email |
| Wooden Spoons Homemade Pies | Ankeny | Pies plus pie-making classes | Order 24 hours ahead |
The Best Places to Buy Pie in Des Moines
The Baker’s Pantry (Dallas Center)
This small Amish grocery at 904 Sugar Grove Ave. (Hwy 44) in Dallas Center sells Mast Family Farm pies, baked by the Mast family of Leon, Iowa. You may also find their pies at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market. Call 515-992-3308 or email info@thebakerspantry.biz to ask about whole pies. Visit The Baker’s Pantry
ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery (Des Moines)
This Highland Park bakery has been around since 1946, and Elizabeth “ChaCha” Kirkman and her husband Ed took over in 2023. Their 10-inch pies have hand-rolled, from-scratch crusts, with flavors like bourbon pecan, Dutch apple, pear cranberry, French silk, key lime and sour cream raisin. Find it at 3615 6th Ave. or call (515) 282-4059. See ChaCha’s pies
Crouse Cafe (Indianola)
This family-run cafe just off the Indianola square has served homemade food since 1946, and the cherry pie is legendary. Order your pie when you order your meal so they don’t run out! Find it at 115 E. Salem Ave. or call (515) 961-3362. Visit Crouse Cafe
Domestic Bones (Des Moines)
Craving something savory? Kimberly Dunn’s Domestic Bones makes hand pies with fillings like ham and three-cheese, spicy chicken sausage and butternut squash with goat cheese. Yummmy! Check the website for pop-ups and pie subscriptions. Visit Domestic Bones
The Flaky Crust Pie Shoppe (Clive)
Gail Marske turned her Iowa State Fair blue-ribbon crust into this licensed home bakery. She bakes two-crust fruit pies and cream pies, including pecan, pumpkin, butterscotch cream and chocolate cream. Email theflakycrustpieshoppe@gmail.com for special orders or follow their Facebook page.
Iowa Orchard (Urbandale)
Iowa Orchard bakes pies by hand with a family-recipe crust and apples grown right on its property at 9875 Meredith Dr. in Urbandale. Customers rave about the Dutch Crumb Apple, but there are 25+ kinds, from cherry and black raspberry to chocolate pecan and French silk. No-sugar-added and vegan options are available for some pies if you ask ahead. Thanksgiving is their busiest time, so call (515) 276-0852 early to order. See Iowa Orchard pies
Jess Desserts (Des Moines Area)
Jess Anderson, an Iowa State culinary science grad, makes pumpkin, apple, French silk and key lime pies, plus custom orders. Follow Jess Desserts on Facebook for her latest treats. See the Jess Desserts menu
Once Upon an Apple Pie (Grimes)
JoAnn Beeman won the Waitress “Baked from the Heart” pie contest when the touring show came to Des Moines, and that win led to this Grimes bakery she runs with her husband Jason. The best seller is the Salted Caramel Apple Crumble, every pie has an all-butter crust, and you can mix and match their 4-inch mini pies. The shop at 312 E. 1st St. in Grimes is open Fridays and Saturdays (check Facebook for hours), or pre-order online. Visit Once Upon an Apple Pie
Pie Bird Pies (Des Moines)
Kristen Daily and her wife Andrea run this queer- and woman-owned home bakery in the Drake neighborhood, and in 2026 they built a brand-new bakery kitchen behind their home. Pre-order seasonal fruit pies, slices and hand pies online each week, then pick them up Fridays at Des Moines Mercantile or Storyhouse Bookpub. Fans pre-order them for Thanksgiving every year! Order from Pie Bird Pies
Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse (Des Moines)
Pie Mates bakes savory, Australian-style handheld meat pies with local ingredients, perfect for a quick lunch or game day. Find the bakehouse at 1901 Bell Ave. in Des Moines or look for their pies at Hy-Vee. Visit Pie Mates
Pies and Pastries by Lana (Des Moines Area)
Lana Shope is a longtime Iowa State Fair blue-ribbon winner turned judge, and she’s won Best Apple Pie at the American Pie Council’s National Pie Championship! Her motto is “Everything is better with pie.” She also makes pies in jars. Order online at least 48 hours ahead or call (515) 681-9298. Visit Pies and Pastries by Lana
Pleasin’ Pies (Urbandale)
Pleasin’ Pies is a licensed home bakery in Urbandale making pies, cakes and cookies. Call (515) 689-2260 or email pleasinpies@gmail.com. Follow Pleasin’ Pies
Wooden Spoons Homemade Pies (Ankeny)
Chef Deb Cazavilan bakes homemade pies and teaches pie-making classes at Wooden Spoons in Ankeny. Grab a baked pie or one to bake at home, and order at least 24 hours ahead. Want to learn her secrets? Sign up for a holiday pie class! Visit Wooden Spoons
Tips for Ordering Thanksgiving Pies in Des Moines
- Order early. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, and small bakers sell out fast, so order one to two weeks ahead.
- Follow on Facebook. Most home bakers post holiday order forms and pickup times there first.
- Plan your pickup. Many bakers have set pickup days the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
- Ask about special diets. Some bakers, like Iowa Orchard and ChaCha’s, offer no-sugar-added, vegan or gluten-friendly pies.
- Mix it up. Mini pies and pie flights let everyone at the table try a few flavors!
Des Moines Pie FAQ
Local favorites include Iowa Orchard in Urbandale, Once Upon an Apple Pie in Grimes, ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery in Des Moines and Crouse Cafe in Indianola.
Most local bakers on this list take holiday pre-orders, including Iowa Orchard, Once Upon an Apple Pie, Pie Bird Pies, Wooden Spoons and Pies and Pastries by Lana. Thanksgiving is Nov. 26, 2026, so order one to two weeks ahead.
Crouse Cafe’s cherry pie in Indianola and Iowa Orchard’s Dutch Crumb Apple are two of the best-known, and Once Upon an Apple Pie’s Salted Caramel Apple Crumble won the Waitress pie contest.
Once Upon an Apple Pie in Grimes sells mini pies you can mix and match.
Yes! Domestic Bones makes savory hand pies, and Pie Mates Australian Bakehouse bakes Australian-style meat pies you can also find at Hy-Vee.
Yes. The Baker’s Pantry sells Mast Family Farm pies at the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market, and local bakers also pop up at holiday markets.
More Des Moines Food Guides
Hungry for more? Check out our guides to Donuts in Des Moines, the Best Cookie Spots in Des Moines, Ice Cream in Des Moines, Coffee in Des Moines, the Best Breakfast Spots in Des Moines, Best Pizza in Des Moines and Kid-Friendly Breweries in Des Moines. Planning the holidays? See Thanksgiving in Des Moines and subscribe to DSM Weekly for weekend ideas every Monday morning!
Did we miss your favorite pie shop? Tell us in the comments!