The task of baking pies stares us in the face every holiday season, but not everyone has “master baker” listed as a skill on their resume. This year, if you’re hoping to keep the measuring cups in the cupboard, let one of the following local bakeries take over to sweeten up your table. (Thanksgiving is nothing without the pies, after all.) Trust us, it will make holiday prep a piece of cake—or, pie, in this case.  

Atwater’s: Shop a scrumptious variety of pies and holiday desserts at this local cafe chain, which has locations in Catonsville, Belvedere Square, and The Shops at Kenilworth. Serve up sweet treats like classic pumpkin an apple pies, an apple-cranberry crisp, or even a sweet potato pie. Order deadline: Order by Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. for in-store pickup Nov. 25 and 26.

Bertucco’s Bakery: Chocolate-covered Oreos, tiramisu, pecan bars—what more could you ask for? This Hampstead bakery has you covered with plenty of pie and dessert options, with gluten-free recipes also available. Holiday pies include apple, pecan, pumpkin, and cherry, as well as crumb varieties like blueberry and peach. Order deadline: Stop in or call ahead (410-374-2500) to place your order ASAP. 

Bethany’s Bakery: This quaint Cockeysville bakehouse offers four or nine-inch pies to curb even the most intense sweet tooth cravings. Choose from a selection of fruit pies or request custom flavors, like chocolate peanut butter and vanilla cream, for something unique. You can also shop cakes, cookies, and other pastries like a seasonal pumpkin roll. Order deadline: Call 240-341-3225 to place orders. For custom orders, allow at least a week’s notice.  

Cake By Jason: Enjoy an assortment of delicious pies from chef Jason Hisley’s sweets shop in Timonium. The lengthy pie menu lists classics, as well as flavors like bourbon maple pecan, chocolate cream, and Queen of Tarts cherry. Not a pie person? Try the festively decorated Thanksgiving cupcake six pack to add some variety to the dessert spread. Gluten free pies are available, as well. Order deadline: Order online ASAP for in-store pickup.

Cafe Dear Leon: This wildly popular Canton cafe—which recently debuted a second location in Remington—has three gorgeous options that will make you the talk of Turkey Day. Indulge in the pecan tart with bourbon caramel mascarpone cream, a Koginut pumpkin pie with maple buttercream, or a gluten-free Basque cheesecake with dulce de leche sauce. Order deadline: Preorder online ASAP for pickup Nov. 25-26.

The Charmery: This time of year, Baltimore’s famed scoop shop dishes out limited-edition ice cream pies. Head to any of The Charmery’s locations in Hampden, Towson, Chevy Chase, or Columbia to snag creative flavors like Speculoos Cheesecake, brown sugar pecan, caramel spiced pumpkin, and vegan Maryland Mud. Order deadline: Pies are available to preorder online for pickup at your convenience.

The Classic Catering People: Holiday pies, cookies, and cakes are a specialty of this full-service caterer in Owings Mills. Enjoy classics like a lattice-topped apple or pumpkin pie. Other inventive desserts include fall cheesecake bites and cinnamon sugar cookies shaped like turkeys. Order deadline: Pre-orders are due Nov. 20.

The Corner Pantry: The delightful creations at this Mt. Washington favorite include toffee apple pie, pumpkin s’mores pie, or brown butter pecan pie. Order deadline: Orders must be placed by Nov. 21.

Crust by Mack: If you’re looking for made-from-scratch treats, look no further than Charm City’s celebrated pastry chef Amanda Mack of Crust by Mack. She’s returning to her former home at Hampden’s Whitehall Mill for a pop-up on Thanksgiving morning, where she will be distributing pre-orders of her sweet potato pies, sweet potato casserole galettes, apple cinnamon crustines, buttermilk biscuits with honey butter, pumpkin-pecan cookies, and famous crab pies—which will be prepped frozen and ready-to-bake for your holiday gatherings. Order deadline: Order online ASAP for pick-up on Nov. 27.

Dangerously Delicious Pies: True to its name, this famed pie shop is almost guaranteed to have you asking for seconds. Choose from more than 15 fruit, cream, and savory options to decorate your dessert table. Stick to the classics (chocolate peanut butter and mixed berry crumb, for example) or try creations like the Baltimore Bomb (aptly loaded with Berger cookies), toffee crunch, or roasted cinnamon apple pies. Order deadline: Order by Nov. 20. Walk-ins will be served based on availability.

Fenwick Bakery: This Parkville stalwart will be cranking out its assortment of pies in flavors such as coconut custard, pumpkin, pecan, and apple. You can also indulge in other dessert options, such as Boston creme pies and tarts, or grab some fresh pie dough to fill at home. Order deadline: Call the bakery ASAP to place your order.

Maillard Pastries: Head to this Hampden confectionery—which now operates a second location in Hamilton-Lauraville—for a selection of delicious Thanksgiving pies, pastries, and breads. Choose from favorites like the pumpkin pie or pecan tart, or indulge in outside-of-the-box flavors such as butterscotch pie filled with a decadent custard. Order deadline: Orders are due Nov. 21 for pickup at your preferred location on Nov. 26. 

Santoni’s Marketplace & Catering: Let’s stick to the basics—apple, pumpkin, sweet potato, and pecan. Santoni’s in Glyndon is whipping up its time-honored recipes to serve after Thanksgiving dinner. Order deadline: Orders must be placed by Nov. 24 at 4 p.m.

Sugarbakers: Of course, they’ve got pumpkin and Southern pecan pies, but even if you’re not a big fan of pies, this Catonsville cake shop can be your sweet spot. Sugarbakers turns favorite holiday flavors into cakes, with options like a pumpkin Smith Island Cake and pumpkin swirl cheesecake, as well as turkey-themed cakes and cookies. Order deadline: Order online or visit in store.

Weber’s Cider Mill Farm: Pies from this Parkville farm are freshly baked daily. Choose from a selection of more than 15 tasty types, including apple, very berry, peach, pumpkin, and pecan. Weber’s also serves homemade fudge and ice cream (a pie’s best friend) by the pint and quart. Order deadline: Be sure to order with at least 24 hours notice of your pickup time.  

Does spooky season have you craving candy? Charm City’s got you covered with decadent treats that are much more unique than the stuff you’ll find at your local big-box store. Whether it’s an array of truffles and nonpareils or rich chocolate-covered strawberries, these locally owned shops have everything you need to build your sweet stash. We even offer a signature sweet for each, if you really need help narrowing down the options. 

Berries by Quicha: Fruit and chocolate. What could be sweeter than that? Berries by Quicha in Federal Hill creates show-stopping chocolate-covered strawberries. They’re dipped, designed, and even customized for special occasions. Stop in to treat yourself, or place a custom order online. Signature sweet: Red velvet chocolate-dipped strawberries. 922 Light St. 410-440-3239

Black-Eyed Susan: We recently named this gift shop in the heart of Historic Glyndon a Best of Baltimore for its Maryland-made treats. This time of year, look out for specialty sweets like maple and pumpkin truffles, alongside the wide selection of Wockenfuss chocolates, chocolate-covered pretzels, licorice, and gummy candy. Signature sweet: Dubai chocolate bars come in and out of stock quickly. Get them while supplies last! 7 Railroad Ave. Glyndon. 410-833-5427

Eddie’s of Roland Park: A trip to the confections counter is an essential part of the experience at this hyper-local grocer. Whether you’d like scoops of bulk candy (jelly beans, gummy bears, licorice—you name it) or a box of toffee or brittle, the Eddie’s experts have you covered. Signature sweet: Of course, Eddie’s boasts local names such as Mouth Party Caramel and Salazon Organic Chocolate. 5113 Roland Ave. 410-323-3656

Jinji’s Chocolate: Founded in 2012 by Jinji Fraser and her father, Guy, this Waverly sweet shop provides chocolate with a meaningful backstory. Maintaining a high level of sensitivity to the farmers who grow and harvest the cacao, the chocolate comes in bar, bark, truffle, fudge, and drink form. Signature sweet: Chocolate-covered coffee beans or dark chocolate hazelnut spread. 3100 Greenmount Ave. 443-835-1636

Kirchmayr Chocolatier: If you’re looking for elegant European chocolate, look no further than Timonium. At Kirchmayr, you can experience the perfect combination of bitterness, fruitiness, and acidity within its confections. (Think: truffle boxes, dipped nuts, and even  chocolate crab candies that infuse Old Bay.) The team prides itself on using the highest quality beans from across the world. Signature sweet: Jack-o-lantern shaped chocolate pops. 1811 York Rd Suite E, Timonium. 443-275-2145

Kilwins’s Chocolates & Ice Cream: You can often smell the sweet aroma of this Fells Point stalwart, home to hand-crafted chocolate and original recipe ice cream, from outside on Thames Street. Enjoy an array of fudge, caramel apples, caramel corn, brittle, and 32 flavors of ice cream. If you need some caffeine, you can also take advantage of espressos and lattes in their cafe. Signature sweet: Mackinac Island fudge. 1625 Thames St. 410-276-9300

Natasha’s Just Brittle: Back when she ran a daycare business in Hamilton, Natasha Wainwright would make brittle for the children. Eventually, she was inspired to open her own shop, which is now the anchor of Wainwright’s B’More Made With Pride commercial kitchen on Harford Road. Enjoy brittle (40 different types, to be exact, from apple spice to snickerdoodle,) as well as gourmet popcorn and handcrafted chocolates. The brittle is made with special combinations of organic sugar, fresh nuts, salted butter, sea salt, and exclusive spices and extracts. Signature sweet: Classic peanut brittle. 6617 Harford Rd. 410-982-9995

Pat’s Porch: Thanks to its impressive selection of nostalgic penny candy, a visit to this Catonsville mainstay will literally make you feel like a kid in a candy store. Aside from fine chocolates and gifts—including fall highlights like ghoulish gummies and jelly pumpkins—browse throwbacks including Zotz, Turkish Taffy, Chuckles, and Necco Wafers. 819 Frederick Rd. Catonsville. 410-788-1270

Rheb’s Homemade Candies: Formerly Louis and Esther Rheb’s garage, this Catonsville sweet spot officially opened in 1950. Their most important ingredients? “Quality, service, and value.” Now into their fourth generation, the store is known for its chocolate goodness with truffles, creams, nuts, chews, and festive holiday treats. Signature sweet: Pecan turtles. 3352 Wilkens Ave. 410-644-4321

Sweet Cascades: If you find yourself moseying around Old Ellicott City, this 20-year-old store is a requisite stop for satisfying your sweet tooth. Try a traditional truffle (flavored with everything from Old Bay to lavender), expand your horizons with chocolate-covered bacon, pick up your own chocolate-making kit, or sample something seasonal—like the cutie monster cookies or a white chocolate owl. Multiple locations including 3709 Old Columbia Pike. Ellicott City. 410-750-8422

The Velvet Chocolatier: Three words: chocolate potato chips. Ruthie Carliner’s Stevenson shop churns out tons of satisfying sweets, including caramel cups, chocolate-covered discs, and chocolate hearts. But the sweet-and-salty dark chocolate-dipped waffle potato chips are a must-try. All of Carliner’s products are all-natural, kosher, and gluten-free. Signature sweet: Chocolate potato chips.(It bears repeating.) 10403 Stevenson Rd. 410-365-9883

Wockenfuss Candies: This sweet shop began with Herman Charles Wockenfuss, who came to America in 1885 and learned how to make candy. His grandson, Paul, now owns the business and continues to expand, selling chocolates, candies, and seasonal products at multiple locations. Look out for fan favorites like chocolate-covered gummy bears, sour belts, marshmallow bars, and chocolate-covered raisins. Signature sweet: Caramel apples. Multiple locations including 6831 Harford Rd. 410-483-4414