Justice of the Pies

November 7, 2022
“Pies are nostalgic and timeless,” writes Broussard, star of Netflix’s Bake Squad, in her decadent debut, a collection of savory and sweet baked treats. Broussard launched her pie-baking business in 2014 to honor the memory of her late father, a former criminal defense attorney who loved to bake pies. Broussard’s creations pack in the flavor, as evident in the blue cheese praline pear pie, which features tangy blue cheese, rich caramel, oat and brown sugar crumble, and Bartlett or d’Anjou pears. Key lime pie is a tart delight tweaked by the addition of fresh basil. A quiche custard base recipe gets multiple interpretations, including deep-dish chilaquiles quiche, a Mexican-style breakfast that uses fried tortilla chips, salsa, beans, and Cotija cheese. In addition to traditional recipes, Broussard shares stories about community leaders and some of the desserts they inspired, among them a lemon espresso pie with an espresso-bean-infused cookie crust that celebrates Christopher LeMark, the founder of the mental health awareness organization Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health. This deliciously loaded collection is a baker’s dream.