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These are the prettiest Thanksgiving pies we've ever seen

caption: Fresh pear and cardamom tart
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Fresh pear and cardamom tart

Lauren Ko of Seattle is over pies.

Eating them, anyway. Ko, who lives in West Seattle, still makes gorgeous creations that she features on her Instagram account.

“If I really had to eat a sweet one, it would be a pear with miso caramel,” she said, although she may be tempted if it's a savory option.

And so, most of her pies are given away to salivating friends, family, anyone in her orbit.

caption: Cherry ombre mosaic tart
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Cherry ombre mosaic tart

For those of us bumbling through our own Thanksgiving baking, Ko’s creations are pretty intimidating. But she offers the consolation that her first holiday pie was a total disaster: an undercooked, runny marionberry. “I was mortified,” she said.

Although she doesn't often take a slice for herself, it’s understood that she’s bringing the pie to dinner.

caption: Strawberry rhubarb pie with edible flowers
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Strawberry rhubarb pie with edible flowers

She said she considers herself more of an artist than a baker. In the last year she quit her job to focus full time on her culinary art.

“Sometimes it feels like work, but I’m still enjoying it," Ko said. "I still enjoy looking around when I’m out and about in the world — at textures and colors and turning them into pies and tarts.”

caption: Purple sweet potato pie
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Purple sweet potato pie

She receives many requests from people who want to buy her pies, but she doesn't sell her pies.

So sorry, you’re on your own for Thanksgiving. But she gives this tip for the pie-intimidated: try a tart.

“Simpler and more forgiving and don’t take as much time — and just as delicious and pretty,” she said.

caption: Black sesame tart with kiwi, dragon fruit and mango.
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Black sesame tart with kiwi, dragon fruit and mango.
caption: Chai Masala Pumpkin Pie. Recipe by Tara O'Brady.
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Chai Masala Pumpkin Pie. Recipe by Tara O'Brady.
caption: Beet and white diamond pie
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Beet and white diamond pie
caption: Cranberry pie
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Cranberry pie

Learn more about Lauren Ko at her website or by following her on Instagram.

This story includes previous reporting by Bond Huberman.

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