Background on Inde-pie-sive:

I’ve struggled with anxiety for most of my teenage and adult life. Because of this, making decisions or answering even the simplest either-or question can be overwhelming. I overanalyze almost every situation and think of a million different worst-case scenarios. My brain goes from zero to the apocalypse in about 3 seconds. However, there is one question I’ve never struggled with answering: “would you like dessert?” The answer is always YES! But then comes the next string of decisions – Fruity? Chocolatey? Pie? Donuts? Brownies?! AH! What if I make the wrong choice?! But why choose? I created this pie to highlight some of my favorite things – chocolate, peanut butter, and donuts. The crust of the pie is a salty, crunchy base of crushed pretzels buried underneath a swirl of peanut buttery brownie goodness. Fresh strawberry compote graces the top after it cools. And as if that’s not enough, add a dollop of whipped cream and one of my famous homemade mini sour cream baked cake donuts. Labor intensive? You bet. But worth every calorie-filled minute? You BETCHA!

Claire Baker is the 9-12 choral director at Mankato West High School in Mankato, MN. When she’s not singing in the classroom, she’s singing and dancing in the kitchen whipping up donuts, cupcakes, pies, and every other sweet treat possible.

Thank you to all three of our semi-finalists who appeared for the Waitress Pie Tasting on WCCO!