Martha Stewart Declares Pie with More Alcohol Than Crust a Culinary Triumph

KEY POINTS

•The first-ever Stissing House x Substack Pie Fest took place in November with 33 pies competing.
•Fourteen judges, including Martha Stewart, selected the salted maple bourbon pie as the winner.
•Nikki Freihofer’s winning pie features Bulleit bourbon, vodka-infused crust, and a vanilla mascarpone whip.
•The pie requires overnight freezing of the crust and a resting time of four to six hours before serving.

In November’s epic showdown at the inaugural Stissing House x Substack Pie Fest, Martha Stewart herself crowned Nikki Freihofer’s salted maple bourbon pie the 2025 champion among 33 contenders and 14 judges. Described as 'a pancake breakfast that grew up,' this pie boasts a vodka-laced crust, a solid dose of Bulleit bourbon—because apparently pancakes needed a college education—and a vanilla mascarpone whip worthy of a dessert sorority. Judges debated fiercely between pies, while Stewart joked she could’ve added more booze, proving even in 2025, America’s true holiday spirit is 'drink first, bake later.' Pies now require overnight crust freezing and a mandatory 4-6 hour rest, signaling that instant gratification is for suckers.