Love pie? If so, today is the day for you. January 23 is National Pie Day, a day created simply for celebrating pie.

 

The first pies appeared in Egypt around 9500 BC. Today pie is one of America’s favorite desserts, with apple pie reigning king. The American Pie Council created National Pie Day in 1986 to commemorate Crisco’s 75th anniversary of “serving foods to families everywhere.”

 

If you don’t make pie yourself, there are a number of businesses in Clearwater where you can enjoy a slice or bring home the entire pie.

 

The Kettle bakes pies fresh daily and sells them whole or by the slice. They offer a number of flavors on their menu, adding in seasonal varieties during the holidays and summer months. Banana Cream and Sour Cream Raisin have always been popular, but taking over the top spot is the pie owner Rory Amundson just began serving two months ago, Peanut Butter Silk. 

 

“I was looking for something different and you don’t see a lot of it anymore,” explains Amundson. “I’m a peanut butter junkie and I remember eating my grandmother’s peanut butter pie. We just took it to the next level.”

 

The new pie is also his favorite, however, “I’m an old soul at heart so I also really like Sour Cream Raisin,” he said. “It’s hard to get people to try it but once they do they’re a fan.”

 

He states that making pies was a learning curve for him as he’s not a baker by trade. For people just learning to make pie he recommends baking what you like and keeping it simple. 

 

“Usually the least amount of ingredients makes the best pies.”

 

Pie is also a big draw at the Clearwater Travel Plaza. They offer 12 varieties on a daily basis along with holiday and seasonal favorites. 

 

“For approximately 60 days in the summer we make our Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie,” said Vice President Wendy Johnson. “People count down the days until it’s on the menu again because we only offer it while the strawberries are at their best.”

 

Other customer favorites include Caramel Pecan French Silk, Sour Cream Raisin and Banana Cream. 

 

“People really like the old staples,” Johnson said. 

 

A newer offering at the Travel Plaza is called “Shake Up Your Pie.” Customers choose their favorite slice of pie and have it turned into a malt. 

 

If you prefer eating your pie at home, Coborn’s also bakes their pies fresh daily and is offering half pies once again for those who don’t want an entire pie. They also have a selection of premade pies in their frozen section for people to take home and bake.

 

Pie brings a sense of nostalgia to many people, and making it is truly a form of art. The practice of passing on favorite recipes from generation to generation helps ensure this tradition will stay alive.