Andrea Spring of Bradenton, Florida, has won professional Best of Show three times: in 2007 with Gold Coast Key Lime, in 2010 with Chocolate Raisin Walnut Pie and in 2013 with Peanut Butter and Cracker Pie. The 2010 win came in the first year the raisin category was open to professionals, and the release on her win called it the first time a raisin-category pie had won Best of Show. That year she also placed first in Cream with Hula Hula Pineapple Cream Pie with Fried Crust.
The winning pie
Raisins, milk chocolate chips and chopped walnuts are spread over the bottom of an unbaked 10-inch shell and covered with a filling of eggs, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, melted butter and dark corn syrup. The pie bakes 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then about 30 minutes at 350 until the center sets. The crust mixes shortening (Crisco preferred) with vinegar, milk and hot water, adds cornstarch to the flour, and rests at least an hour.
“I love raisins, but I considered that a ‘straight-out’ raisin pie may not appeal to the masses.”
Sources
- 2010 National Pie Champions (archived), American Pie Council
- Bradenton, Fla. Restaurant Owner Takes Best Of Show National Pie Championships (May 10, 2010), Perishable News
- 2007 National Pie Championships Winners (archived), American Pie Council
- 2013 National Pie Champions (archived), American Pie Council
- Pie Winners Named in National Pie Championships (June 4, 2013), American Pie Council (email release)