Baking pies can be a tricky thing to get the hang of, but once you get the basics down you can make pretty much anything. If you’re tired of the old standbys, here are some lesser-known pies that will dazzle dessert diners.

–        Strawberry rhubarb pie is an old-school classic that doesn’t get made enough these days. The tartness of the rhubarb – a food that’s so bitter you can’t eat it raw – is perfectly complimented by the sweetness of the strawberry.

–        One interesting summer pie idea is cantaloupe cream – the mellow flavor of the melon adds a touch of depth to the pie that will impress anybody who tries a slice.

–        Another good summer pie choice is a frozen pineapple pie. Frozen pies are great for when you don’t want to turn on the oven and heat the house up, and they can be incredibly refreshing.

–        A classic Southern pie preparation is the chess pie, which is filled with a custard made from eggs, butter, two kinds of sugar, and vanilla. You can also add a teaspoonful of vinegar to cut the sweetness. This pie is typically eaten with a cup of black coffee.

–        The Pennsylvania Amish make shoofly pie, which is prepared with brown sugar and molasses to create a great, goopy texture. A variety of different fruits can be used in the filling.