This Pie Is Nuts!

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While vending for my company, Squish Marshmallows, I get to meet some great vendors and try their products. One of them was This Pie Is Nuts!, currently at the Bryant Park Holiday Market. 

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These signature, square pies, are exactly what the title states, all made out of nuts. Using natural ingredients, these paleo, vegan, and gluten free pies are made mainly with nuts in the crust and pie filling itself. 

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I got the Key Lime Pie (Raw Cashews, Almonds, Pure Maple Syrup, 100% Key Lime Juice, Dates, Organic Unsweetened Shredded Coconut, Thompson Seedless Raisins, Organic Kudzu Root, Agar Agar, Pure Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt).

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This is a unique and great spin on the traditional key lime pie. The crust, unlike the common graham cracker crust, has great texture, chew and flavor from both the nuts and dates, giving it a fresh, natural taste. The pie filling has a rich, and creamy texture with the zing and tartness from the lime juice, finished with a mild nuttiness. Now, I have a massive sweet tooth and love sweet things, but, I also really enjoy desserts that aren’t as sweet and have a natural, mild sweetness that doesn’t give you a stomach ache. This pie is just that, substantial, naturally sweet, and tasty. 

The Shorts:
Name: This Pie Is Nuts!
Location: Bryant Park Holiday Market, NYC (Until January 4th, 2015)
The Long and Short: Would I go back? Yes, there are staple flavors, along with some seasonal, something for every palate. 
Would I recommend it? Yes, as long as you don’t have a nut allergy, of course, it’s a great dessert if you’re gluten free, or just enjoy a nutritious dessert without the guilt. 

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The Sweet Shop at 4 Rivers

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Well, I checked off the BBQ aspect of 4 Rivers Smokehouse in Winter Park, FL. But then, I noticed they had a separate bakery, The Sweet Shop, and, well…duh, I had to check that out.

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It’s a common habit, we eat with our eyes first. These desserts were pretty eye catching with their large, grand size and their perfectly confected baked goods. They offer cupcakes, cakes, ice cream and brownie bars, to name their most prominent items.

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They also have some really novel and unique items such as their Cupcake Milkshakes (your choice of a cupcake dropped into a milkshake and blended up into a shake that is sure to bring all the boys to the yard…Kelis…) and their Mountain Dew Dorito Cupcake (novel, yes, but sorry, I wasn’t too interested in eating one). 

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I certainly have eyes a bit bigger than my stomach, and had to get a few things to try. Their desserts are not for the weak, each one is large and hefty. I first had their Double Chocolate Cookie with nuts. So, if you haven’t worked out in a little while, fear not because this cookie can double as a weight for arm curls, weighing in at around 1lb. It’s huge, but the chocolate flavor and sweetness are actually more on the mild side, allowing you to make your way through more of it. It’s also a little fudgy on the inside, almost like a brownie. 

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Next, I got their Kryptonite Brownie (pecans and caramel), another huge portion. The brownie was rich, moist (I hate that word) but also not overly sweet either, allowing the sweetness and creaminess of the caramel to take that spotlight, and adding the pecans for a nice nuttiness and crunch. I think Superman would have been pretty happy eating this one. 

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Last, I got their Texas Bourbon Pecan Bar, which, was hands down, my favorite. The bourbon absolutely comes through, giving it a really rich, warm flavor. And who doesn’t love the taste of a little booze in a delicious treat? The whole pecans were coated in a crisp, sugar crumble coating, giving the bar a sandwich effect of crunch from the pecans and the bottom crust, and the contrast of the creamy, oozy boozy center. 

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And, of course, some wise words to live by.

The Shorts:
Name: The Sweet Shop
Location: 4 Rivers Smokehouse, 1600 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL
The Long and Short: Would I go back? For sure. And hell, I might even get the Mountain Dew Dorito Cupcake. 
Would I recommend it? Definitely, something for everyone sweet tooth, and each item makes great to share among a few people.