Ok, still in a cinnamoney kinda mode. I have seen enough 'next food network star' to know that judges are looking for texture. Lots of contrasting texture. How about these cinnamon sweet salty almonds atop the filling for that cinnamon roll crust in the post below?? That sweet / salty mix is an unexpected combo - and very hot these days too. hmmm, I think I will be dreaming about cinnamon buns & almonds tonight!!

http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-spicy-sw-1-32507

MUST give a shout out to girlversusdough on this amazing pie crust idea!! I can leave the sweet potato part out, never really saw the point of sweet potatoes - but the CRUST. 0o0o0o0o0oh the cinnamon rolls layered for a crust. Oh I can use that!!!

http://taste-for-adventure.tablespoon.com/2011/11/17/sweet-potato-pie-with-cinnamon-roll-crust/

Can't help - LOVE this picture.

OK, the first step to any contest is deciding a plan of attack.  I am speaking, of course, of the menu for the pies. Oh, and how MANY pies will be entered?? Let's look at the list of options shall we?

• Crisco Innovation
• Crisco Chocolate
• Crisco Cherry
• nut
• Gluten free
• Peanut Butter
• Pumpkin
• Raisin
• No Added Sugar
• Fruit/berry
• custard
• cream
• cream cheese
• citrus
• Sweet potato

Whoa - what a mouthful!! I don't know about you, but I have notice as I type each one out - they lead to overlap. I will need to be careful where I place my entries.  Did you notice the Gluten-free?? It's new and I'm so0o0o excited for this pie. A good many of my family members have gone gluten free & love the effects of the lifestyle but struggle with finding tasty alternatives to old standby gluten filled foods.  I see this category my highest challenge not just for the contest - but to feed to my dearest family.      

You will notice the 'Crisco' label on the first three - those are the only entrants that must contain 1/2 cup Crisco somewhere in the recipe.  I can't for the life of me see where shortening would go BESIDES the crust but, eh what do I know right?

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Pie- storming!

ok, so here is a run down on the options. We have 16, yes 16 entry categories!! Chocolate, cherry, nuts, innovation, GLUTEN FREE, citrus, cream cheese, & fruit - you get the idea. The best pies make your mouth water from just reading the recipe. And that is where we begin, the recipes.