Sweet treats and baked goods are here 

In the last year, so many had to get creative during the unprecedented times of shutdowns, job losses and COVID-19. 

Even with all of these challenges, many have been able to reinvent themselves and learned they just might be a little happier after being faced with how to continue life in such uncertainty. 

Callie Squires has done just that. Originally from Toronto, she grew up with a Nana who loved to bake. She spent many years under her Nana’s wing learning how to bake and developed her own passion for baking. 

“I remember being small with my Nana baking,” Squires said. “One of my earliest memories was learning how to make soda bread with her for Saturday morning breakfast. I remember playing with the dough, mixing it together and helping her bake it. It’s a very strong memory. They were great times.”

Squires moved to Idyllwild in November 2020 from LA where she was in the commercial property management field, managing corporate campus offices.  

“I’m a city kid,” Squires said. “Growing up in Toronto then moving to Los Angeles — it was very fast-paced. I’m trying to unlearn that a bit. It takes practice to slow down and it’s been good. I don’t have any desire to go back to the city life.”

When COVID-19 lockdowns hit in March 2020, Squires was out of work and having to figure out the best plan of action to make a living.

Considering so many are working remotely, and it is uncertain when they will, if ever, return to the in-office world, Squires decided to try out her childhood love of baking. 

With that, welcome Pickle & Pie to Idyllwild.

The business is an approved Cottage Food Operation through Riverside County, meaning she works out of her home kitchen. She has been busy making some of her favorite baked goods to sell to the public.

While she has been baking for years, baking at a higher altitude has been a bit of a learning curve. 

“Baking at elevation has been a real challenge after baking at sea level,” Squires acknowledged. “I’ve had to relearn what I essentially knew and rework a lot of things to get the result that I desired. It’s been an adventure.”

Pickle & Pie offers cookies, breads, pies, muffins, cupcakes, classic Canadian butter tarts, doughnuts and so much more. While serving up these traditional treats, Squires has also been vigilant and aware of the many dietary restrictions some deal with.

Pickle & Pie offers many gluten-free and vegan options with a growing list as Squires perfects her recipes.

Pickle & Pie has already made pop-up appearances in town in recent weekends. She served up about half a dozen sweet treats for visitors and locals alike.

Squires is looking forward to more pop-up events in the near future. 

Eventually, she hopes to open a storefront and proper bakery in town once her customer base has grown, has found a good location, and has the financial means and recipes to do so.

“I’m actually very grateful for having this time to hone my skills, develop recipes and have this practice time,” Squires said. “I want to feed the town good food and make people happy that way.”

Orders can be made online. Squires offers pick up or local delivery. At the end of our interview, she decided to offer our Town Crier readers 15% off their next purchase. Just enter promo code TOWNCRIER15 when you place your order at pickleandpieIDY.com.