MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Sept. 17, 2010) — Once a time-consuming and intimidating process, pie baking at home is back in fashion today, as a quick, easy and rewarding experience. From a classic American favorite like apple pie, or traditional holiday recipes, pies and tarts are on-trend desserts and sweet treats of choice for today’s moms. Apple pie, the most-consumed variety in the United States, especially at this time of year, is as cool as a crisp autumn evening.  

With increasing pie consumption in the United States, up 16.5 percent from seven years ago, Pillsbury^® Refrigerated Pie Crusts are helping a new generation of moms discover pie baking at home.  “When I started baking pies, I thought it would be a difficult experience. I was pleasantly surprised to find that when I began with a quality prepared crust, pie baking was not only easier, it was actually a lot of fun,” says Jennie Garth, celebrity and busy mom.  

Garth has always enjoyed cooking and baking, and she says that her husband, actor Peter Facinelli, and their three daughters share that love of preparing delicious, wholesome food they can enjoy together at the dinner table. “Pies are a particular family favorite,” Garth says, “and this time of year, apple pie rules.” 

In the fall, Garth enjoys taking her family to visit local apple orchards close to their ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif. “It’s so much fun to go as a family to pick apples. Many types are perfect for baking, and we’ll often pick several varieties to mix in the same pie to savor the blend of flavors.”  

To top off the day, the family gathers in the kitchen to bake Perfect Apple Pie, a simple recipe that combines the traditional flavors of apple, cinnamon and sugar for the filling and uses Pillsbury Pie Crusts as an easy start to an amazing dessert.

“If you’re looking for a family day trip you can’t take any other time of year, visit a local apple orchard,” Garth recommends. “These outings will make wonderful memories for your family and may even inspire you to start a new family tradition. Of course, having a delicious apple pie to share at the end of the day is pretty terrific, too.”

“America is rediscovering its passion for pie, and Pillsbury Pie Crusts provide a blank canvas that makes it surprisingly simple for home bakers to create impressive pies and tarts,” said Rohan Thakur, marketing manager for Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

Pillsbury is partnering with orchards across the country to demonstrate the ease of pie baking. To find apple orchards near you that are embracing the pie baking spirit by hosting their own events this fall, visit tasteofhome.com/appleorchards.

For more delicious apple pie recipes, visit Pillsbury.com/pie. And for those who want to profess their love for pie, become a fan of Love the Pie on Facebook.

For more press materials please visit the electronic press kit at http://www.reporterville.com/love_the_pie__fall_2010