A little slice of pie heaven

There’s no denying the pleasures of pie. Something about that sweet crust cradling a forkful of filling appeals to the epicurean in all of us. Everyone has a favorite pie, be it apple, pumpkin, or strawberry-rhubarb, but pie-making can be a labor-intensive process, and sometimes you don’t want to wait by the oven for hours for that first mouthwatering bite. Here are a few places around town that serve up pies you won’t find in your grocer’s freezer: Baum’s Fine Pastries and Chocolates: Fall means produce around these parts, and what better way to indulge than with a piping-hot fruit pie? Baum’s offers a sweet twist on the apple delectation by adding a crispy, crumbly crust, liberally layered with rivers of caramel. Easier and sweeter than eating it from a stick, a Baum’s caramel apple pie might become your new flavorful fave. Ambrosia Bakery: Forget the strawberry cake just for a moment and let yourself taste ambrosia through a different avenue. Their version of the buttermilk pie is as sweet a Southern delicacy as you could ever wish to taste, a custard pie with a sugary, almost crčme brulee top. Is your mouth watering yet? Gambino’s: This Big Easy transplant is best known for their king cakes, but that’s not all they have up their sleeves. They also serve up decadent pecan pies, but none more than the bourbon pecan pie, which features a full pound of Louisiana pecans marinated in a bourbon sauce. Don’t worry about going over the limit, though—the sauce is mercifully nonalcoholic. Fresh Market: A relative newcomer to the Baton Rouge supermarket scene (it opened in November 2007), Fresh Market at Perkins Rowe offers a variety of freshly-baked fruit pies, from apple to black cherry. Our favorite is the strawberry rhubarb: ultra-tangy chunks of rhubarb dance with sweet strawberries in decadent, sweet filling. Finished with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s an unforgettable finish to any meal.