A Sneak Peek into a Connecticut Bakery Filled with Holiday Treats
-
1/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
“People come for both the variety of fillings and, of course, the crust,” says Michele Stuart .
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
“People come for both the variety of fillings and, of course, the crust,” says Michele Stuart .
-
2/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
The display case is stocked with pies, cookies, tea breads and more. Savory selections include chicken pot pie, Australian beef pie and various quiches.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
The display case is stocked with pies, cookies, tea breads and more. Savory selections include chicken pot pie, Australian beef pie and various quiches.
-
3/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Cortland apples, mostly locally sourced, are used in the apple pies, such as this country apple deep dish and apple crumb.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Cortland apples, mostly locally sourced, are used in the apple pies, such as this country apple deep dish and apple crumb.
-
4/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Seasonal cookies include gingerbread.
-
5/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
For her Boston Cream pie, chocolate ganache is poured over a vanilla cake that has a cream filling.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
For her Boston Cream pie, chocolate ganache is poured over a vanilla cake that has a cream filling.
-
6/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
According to Michele Stuart, the seasonal
bestseller at the bakery is: “Everything chocolate—chocolate pecan bourbon pie, chocolate cream and chocolate walnut.”
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
According to Michele Stuart, the seasonal
bestseller at the bakery is: “Everything chocolate—chocolate pecan bourbon pie, chocolate cream and chocolate walnut.”
-
7/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
The Boston cream pie it’s topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
-
8/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Everything is made by hand in Norwalk.
-
9/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Zucchini bread is a popular item at Michele’s Pies.
-
10/10
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Other tea breads include pumpkin, banana nut and banana chocolate chip. Gingerbread houses are sold as kits or preassembled.
Photography by Neil Landino Jr.
Other tea breads include pumpkin, banana nut and banana chocolate chip. Gingerbread houses are sold as kits or preassembled.
Rows of handmade pies, cookies, tea breads, muffins and, at this time of year, gingerbread houses line the glass cases at Michele’s Pies in Norwalk, Connecticut. Owner Michele Stuart learned to bake from her Italian grandmother, who never measured ingredients, relying on memory and instinct. When starting out as a baker, Michele promised her grandmother: “I’m going to make your pies famous.” With 33 first-place awards from the National Pie Championships, multiple TV appearances and two national bestselling cookbooks, she has honored that promise. “I hear so often that my pies are just like my grandma’s,” she notes. “It seems that my pies definitely tie into people’s childhood memories. It’s the old-fashioned, very traditional way to make pies.” A love of baking is being passed along to the next generation. “My oldest son, Dakota, loves to learn and be a part of the excitement at the bakery,” Michele says.
What’s this baker’s favorite thing to make for the holidays? “Of course, I love to make the pies, but there’s something about Christmas and cookies,” Michele says. “I love to put together cute Christmas cookie platters and such.”
