(NAPSI)—If you’re like most Americans, your favorite part of a meal is dessert. According to a recent survey, 97 percent of Americans eat dessert more than three times a week.

“Desserts have long been associated with celebrations, parties, happiness and pleasant feelings. Sweets make you feel good,” said American Blue Ribbon “Pie Lady” Mary Pint.

Pies Are Preferred

Even though carrot cake and galettes are favorite sweets, pies are the most popular dessert. Americans order about 720 million servings of pie at restaurants a year, according to market research experts NPD Group.

One of this year’s must-have pies is French Silk Pie. Convenient to grab and go on the way to a party or family gathering, French Silk Pie is velvety-smooth chocolate cream topped with fluffy whip and milk chocolate shavings—served as a beautiful and tasty ending to a meal.

No-sugar added Cherry Pie, along with Blueberry and French Apple Cream Cheese, were all Blue Ribbon winners at the National Pie Council 2012 Pie Championships. Southern Pecan, Country Apple, Celebration, Pumpkin, Lemon Supreme, Fresh Strawberry and Caramel Pecan Silk Supreme are also popular.

Pie Serving And Presentation

Once your pie has arrived at your table at home or in a restaurant (many people nowadays celebrate special occasions by getting pies served whole), you want to be sure to cut it correctly. Here’s how: Start with a sharp chef’s knife and a pie server. Dip them both in boiling water and then dry them completely. The heated metal slightly dissolves the sugar in the pie to make slicing cleaner.

Cut at least two consecutive pieces of pie before removing one with the server. If you’re serving the whole pie, precut it all before serving any.

Presentation is also important when serving pie at home. Use your ingenuity and decorate the plate with chocolate curls or chocolate, butterscotch or caramel drizzle on the plate or on the pie, or flavored or plain whipped cream; a strawberry sliced nearly through and fanned out; a cherry cut crosswise to form petals; or lemon rings for fruit pies.

Prepared Pies and Further Facts

Many delightful pies and baked sweets are at Bakers Square family restaurant, specializing in award-winning pies and fresh-baked, high-quality menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To find the nearest Bakers Square or to order pies online, visit www.BakersSquare.com.

 

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)