When I think of Southern cooking, I always think about my favorites like pork chops, mashed taters, black eyed peas, and fried okra. Of course, having spent time in the South as a little girl, I remember no dinner was complete without something sweet, and that usually meant a fresh baked pie for dessert.

Plenty of Pie Options

Now there are a lot of options when it comes to pie. You've got the basic fruit pies like cherry and apple. Those are staples. There's the pecan pie and whether you pronounce it puh-con or pee-can, it's one of my personal favorites with the thick gooey middle packed full of Kairo syrup but honestly it's a tie between it and an good old fashion Chess Pie for me.

Official State Pies

Some states even have their own official pies! Mississippi is home to the Mississippi Mud Pie, made with decadent chocolate and melty marshmallow. Kentucky is home to the Derby Pie with a chocolate and walnut custard but what about Tennessee?

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Tennessee Has a State Pie Too

As it turns out Tennessee has an official state pie too, thanks to House Joint Resolution 23 which was signed into law by the Tennessee Governor on April 10, 2023. HJR23 designated that Pumpkin Pie should be named the official state pie of the state of Tennessee.

WHEREAS, a true American classic, it is most appropriate that we select the delicious and wholesome pumpkin pie as a symbol of the Volunteer State; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby designate pumpkin pie as a symbol of the State of Tennessee
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More on Tennessee House Joint Resolution 23

If you would like to view House Joint Resolution in its entirety, you can find a copy of it here. You can also follow the history of the resolution from its introduction on January 10, 2023 to it's signing three months later.

READ MORE: Can You Legally Ride in the Bed of a Pickup in Tennessee?

As it turns out, Pumpkin Pie isn't just for the holidays. It's a perfect sweet finish to any southern meal any time of the year.

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in Tennessee

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Tennessee using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.