Ready to Create Your Own Winning Pie🥧

Get inspired by our previous champions and bring your best recipe to the Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market Annual Pie Contest on Tuesday, September 29, 2026!

Apply for the Pie Contest!

Good luck to all of our bakers, and may the best pie win! 🏆🥧

Contestant Rules & Regulations🥧

1. Eligibility & Homemade Pies:
   Only homemade, home-baked pies will be accepted. The pie must be prepared and baked by the contestant submitting the entry. This contest is open to amateur bakers only. Professional bakers, bakeries, restaurants, and commercial entries are not eligible. Meat pies and cheesecakes will not be accepted.
2. Pie Preparation:
   Both the pie crust and filling must be made from scratch. Store-bought crusts, dough, or canned fillings are not permitted.
3. Number of Entries:
   Each contestant may submit one pie.
4. Limited Entries:
   Only the first 15 eligible entries will be accepted. To be considered, contestants must submit a complete application along with a printed copy of their recipe. Incomplete applications or entries missing a recipe will not be considered.
5. Use of Entries & Recipes:
   All submitted entries become the property of the City of Torrance. The City of Torrance reserves the right to photograph, display, and use submitted entries, recipes, contestant names, and related materials in print, digital, electronic, social media, or other promotional materials. The City also reserves the right to edit submitted materials for brevity, clarity, or promotional purposes.
6. Entry Drop-Off:
   Contestants must bring their pie to the Pie Contest Judging Area at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The completed application and printed recipe must accompany the pie entry.
7. Judging & Winners:
   Pie judging will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Winners will be announced shortly after judging is completed.
8. Acceptance of Rules:
   By submitting an entry, contestants acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to follow all Contestant Rules & Regulations.

2025 1st Place - Alex Rios🥇

Cannelle à la Mode – Fusion Apple Pie

A creative twist on classic apple pie, combining cinnamon rolls, apple pie, and a vanilla ice cream frosting drizzle. 

Pie Crust

• ½ cup shortening
• 4 tablespoons cold butter
• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cold water

Cinnamon Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon

Apple Filling

• 4 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3 cups water
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon butter

Vanilla Ice Cream Frosting

• ¼ cup melted vanilla ice cream
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Prepare the crust by combining shortening, butter, flour, and salt. Gradually add cold water until dough forms. Divide into two discs and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon to make the Cinnamon Filling.
3. For the apple filling, toss apples with lemon juice. Combine remaining ingredients except butter in a saucepan and simmer until thickened. Add apples and cook for 8–10 minutes. Stir in butter and cool.
4. Roll out one crust and place in pie dish. Add a layer of Cinnamon Filling, followed by a thin layer of dough. Add the apple filling.
5. Spread the remaining Cinnamon Filling over the second crust, cut into strips, and twist into a cinnamon-roll-style topping. Place over pie and crimp edges.
6. Bake at 400°F for 40–45 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
7. Whisk the frosting ingredients together until smooth and drizzle over the slightly cooled pie.

2025 2nd Place - Nida Ahmed🥈

Almond Plum Custard Pie

A delicious combination of fresh plums, homemade plum jam, cardamom, almond, and creamy custard.

Pie Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 16 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup cold water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons cardamom powder

Plum Jam

• 4 black plums, peeled and chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¼ cup water

Custard

• 1⅓ cups heavy cream
• 6 egg yolks
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine flour and butter, then add sugar, cardamom, and water. Form dough, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Simmer chopped plums with lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, and water until thickened to make the jam.
3. For the custard, combine egg yolks and sugar. Warm the heavy cream with cardamom pods, then slowly whisk the warm cream into the eggs. Add almond extract, vanilla, and salt.
4. Roll out the crust and place in a pie dish. Chill for another 30 minutes. Blind bake at 425°F for 10 minutes with pie weights, then remove weights and bake another 3–4 minutes.
5. Lower oven to 350°F. Layer the plum jam and sliced plums in the crust. Pour strained custard over the top.
6. Bake for 25–35 minutes, or until the custard is set.

2025 3rd Place - Theresa Blayney🥉

Mango Cream Pie with Macadamia Nut Crust

A tropical-inspired pie featuring fresh mango, a creamy filling, a buttery macadamia nut crust, and a citrus glaze.

Mango Cream Filling

• 3 oz. cream cheese
• 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup whipping cream
• 2 large mangoes

Macadamia Nut Crust

• 1 cup flour
• 6 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup macadamia nuts
• 1 egg

Glaze

• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

The original winning recipe was submitted with the ingredients listed above. We invite you to try your own version of this delicious mango cream pie!