The first time Jayden Hairston remembers baking with his grandmother they made peanut butter kiss cookies.
“But I don’t make them anymore,” he says.
That’s because he’s moved on to more complicated bakes like pound cakes, pies and citrus tarts. At 11 years old, Jayden turned those days in his grandma’s kitchen into a fully functioning baking business: Cakes By Jay.
Jayden’s mom, Nicole Stansbury, says it all started when he brought his decadent desserts to his performing arts school to share with friends. His treats were such a hit that families asked to place orders for special occasions and, “before we knew it, he had a business going!”
His most original offering is a five-flavor pound cake baked from a family recipe. He packs vanilla, lemon, coconut, almond and rum flavoring into a single cake. “It’s really tasty and no one has ever had a cake with so many flavors,” Jayden says.
He’s Fighting Hunger with Every Pie, Too
Jayden is also passionate about improving his community and creating smiles with more than just sweets. Around Thanksgiving during the first year that his baking business was up and running, Jayden learned about a local bakery fundraiser for Feeding Westchester on the nighttime news. Nicole says he wanted to participate in the fundraiser but couldn’t because they didn’t have a bakery, so together they came up with the idea to donate the proceeds from his locally-famous sweet potato pies to the organization.
That winter Jayden sold more than 100 pies with the proceeds going to fight hunger in Westchester. It took a lot of work and dedication to fulfill these orders because sometimes his pies and cakes can take him two days to make, he says.
“It makes me feel really good to know that I’m helping the community,” he said. “I can help people have special things they wouldn’t normally have, or be able to afford.”
To start baking at home with your family, check out this guide to cooking with kids.
What Is Jayden Doing Now?
Since making his donation over the holidays, Jayden continues to work with Feeding Westchester. In March, he brought his talents to their first-ever Chopped-style competition fundraiser as a judge. But since the coronavirus pandemic began, Cakes By Jay hasn’t taken any orders and Jayden and his mom have been staying home.
Nicole says the kitchen in their apartment can “get hectic” when Jayden is working on baking projects, but, “he has gotten much better at being organized and not as messy. And he’s gotten much better at cleaning up after himself.”
By the time Jayden can take orders again, he’s determined to have a perfect lemon tart recipe ready for summer. “I’ve been practicing my lemon curd, sometimes it’s not thick enough when I make it on the stove,” he says. Next time, he says he’s going to try to bake the tart dough and the curd together, and then work on cleaning up the kitchen!
Our Best Pie Recipes, from Classics to New Favorites
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Dar's Coconut Cream Pie
When I whip up a toasted coconut cream pie, my family goes wild and the pie vanishes. —Darlene Bartos, Shoreview, Minnesota
Lemony Sweet Potato Pie
For a finger-licking finale to any holiday meal, I turn to this light and luscious sweet potato pie laced with just a hint of lemon. Funny how folks always seem able to find room for this delectable dessert! —Peggy West, Georgetown, Delaware
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie
My mother made a chewy, gooey peanut butter pie I loved as a child. Now I continue the tradition for the next generation of peanut butter lovers. —Brianna DeBlake, Fremont, Michigan
Irresistible Coconut Cream Pie
My husband and I grow 500 acres of wheat on the farm his family homesteaded in 1889. I grind my own flour and love to use it in this recipe. The easy, pat-in crust has a rich grain flavor. It’s irresistible filled with old-fashioned coconut cream and topped with a fluffy meringue. —Roberta Foster, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
Deep-Dish Apple Pie
This recipe is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts
Easy Confetti Pie
Sugar cone crust makes a pie that tastes like birthday cake when you add a colorful, creamy no-bake confetti filling. —Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor
Banana Cream Pie
Made from our farm-fresh dairy products, this pie was a sensational creamy treat any time Mom served it. Her recipe is a real treasure, and I've never found one that tastes better! —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Sour Cream Peach Pecan Pie
Fresh peaches, good southern pecans and real vanilla make this pie a special summertime treat. —Sherrell Dikes, Holiday Island, Arkansas
County Fair Cherry Pie
This cherry pie is so easy! I'm a teacher and a Navy wife, so simplicity and quickness are both mealtime musts at our house. —Claudia Youmans, Virginia Beach, Virginia Bake success right into your pies with these essential pie baking tools
Peanut Butter Cream Pie
During the warm months, it's nice to have a fluffy, no-bake dessert that's a snap to make. Packed with peanut flavor, this pie gets gobbled up even after a big meal! —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie
For my mother's birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
Cape Cod Blueberry Pie
We Northeasterners have been baking this pie since the 18th century. Settlers would’ve used little wild blueberries and topped it with cream. I do, too. —Nancy O'Connell, Biddeford, Maine
Ginger-Streusel Pumpkin Pie
I love to bake and have spent a lot of time making goodies for my family and friends. The streusel topping gives this pie a special touch your family will love. —Sonia Parvu, Sherrill, New York
Citrus Cranberry Pie
To showcase abundant fall cranberries, make this beautiful lattice-topped pie. A dollop of orange cream complements the slightly tart flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen New to baking pies? Check out our complete pie baking guide for all the tips and tricks you need for a perfect pie!
Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie
Summer is peak season for Key limes, a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow top layer that makes it stand out as a dessert crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
Frosty Peanut Butter Pie
With only a handful of ingredients, this peanut butter pie promises to deliver well-deserved compliments. Whenever I bring this creamy, make-ahead pie to get-togethers, I'm asked for the recipe. —Christi Gillentine, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Strawberry/Rhubarb Crumb Pie
Everyone seems to have a rhubarb patch here in Maine. This pie won first prize at our church fair; I hope it's a winner at your house, too! —Paula Phillips, East Winthrop, Maine
Pecan Pie Bars
These pecan pie bars are rich and delicious - just like pecan pie! They're perfect for taking to potlucks and other gatherings...I always come home with an empty pan. This Kentucky Derby dessert is perfect for the races. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
Apple Crumble Pie
The crumb topping of this apple crumb pie recipe is awesome, which may explain why dessert always disappears fast. Or maybe it's the chunky apple filling. Either way, it's a family tradition. —Vera Brouwer, Maurice, Iowa
Juicy Peach & Strawberry Crumb Pie
You've had peach pie and strawberry pie, and maybe even peach-strawberry pie. But throw in some garden-fresh basil and you're in for a real treat. Try it. —Lindsay Sprunk, Noblesville, Indiana
Chocolate Raspberry Pie
After tasting this pie at my sister-in-law's house, I had to have the recipe. I love the chocolate and raspberry layers separated by a dreamy cream layer. It's a joy to serve this standout treat! —Ruth Bartel, Morris, Manitoba
Sugar Cream Pie
I absolutely love Indiana sugar cream pie; especially the one that my grandma made for me. Here, we serve it warm or chilled and call it "Hoosier" sugar cream pie. —Laura Kipper, Westfield, Indiana
Rhubarb Cheese Pie
This tangy rhubarb pie is topped with a luscious cream cheese layer. —Stacey Meyer, Plymouth, Wisconsin
Spiced Plum Pie
The subtle tastes of orange and nutmeg bring out the fresh flavor of plums in this comforting pie. Be sure to have a slice while it's still warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Lucille Mead, Ilion, New York
Contest-Winning German Chocolate Pie
Thanksgiving dinner at our house includes an average of 25 guests and a dozen different pies. This one has all the luscious flavor of German chocolate cake. A friend who tried it told me he wanted it to be his birthday pie from now on.—Debbie Clay, Farmington, New Mexico
Chocolate Cheesecake Pie
Guests always go for this rich but simple pie. I like topping it with fresh raspberries or cherry pie filling. —Sandy Schwartz, Brooklyn, NY
Tart Cherry Lattice Pie
Whenever my mom is invited to a party or potluck, everyone requests her homemade double-crust fruit pies. In the summer, she uses fresh tart cherries for this recipe. I love a slice topped with vanilla ice cream. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
Perfect Rhubarb Pie
Nothing hides the tangy rhubarb in this lovely pie, which has just the right balance of sweet and tart. Serving this dessert is a nice way to celebrate the end of winter! — Ellen Benninger, Greenville, Pennsylvania
Sugar and Spice Pear Pie
My family loves pear pie because it's a little less tart than apple pie. The nutty crust complements the tender fruit and buttery pastry. —Kristina Pontier, Hillsboro, Oregon
Sweet Potato Coconut Pie with Marshmallow Meringue
My grandmother's sweet potato casserole contains coconut and marshmallows. I thought it would be even better as a pie. —Simone Bazos, Baltimore, Maryland
Raspberry Pie Squares
Making pie for a crowd may seem impossible, but not when you turn to this crowd-pleasing recipe! The sweet-tart raspberry filling pairs well with a flaky homemade pastry. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Lemon Chess Pie with Berry Sauce
This is one of those old-fashioned Southern desserts that makes everyone feel good. The easy-as-pie berry sauce gives it color and a tantalizing tang. —April Heaton, Branson, Missouri
Chocolate Silk Pie
This creamy, quick chocolate pie not only melts in your mouth, it also melts any and all resistance to dessert! What an easy way to say "I love you" on Valentine's Day. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York
Frozen Grasshopper Pie
When I first started experimenting with cream pies, this seemed like the right recipe to create for a house of chocolate lovers. I guessed right. This is more of an adult New Year's Eve pie, but some have made it for Christmas dessert—served after the kids have gone to bed! —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Candy Apple Pie
This is the only apple pie my husband will eat, but that's all right since he makes it as often as I do. Like a combination of apple and pecan pie, it's a sweet treat that usually tops off our holiday meals from New Year's all the way through to Christmas! -Cindy Kleweno, Burlington, Colorado
Red, White and Blue Berry Pie
To me, this colorful pie is the epitome of summer. Bright blueberries and raspberries sandwich a cream cheese layer in the pie that’s quite festive. I can’t imagine a holiday party without this tasty treat! —Cindy Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska
Creamy Banana Pecan Pie
You'll get many compliments when you serve this layered banana beauty. It's a snap to prepare because the filling starts with instant pudding mix. —Isabel Fowler, Anchorage, Alaska
Grits Pie
Simple, southern and scrumptious, this pie will be a definite hit even with people who dislike grits. It has the perfect custardy texture.—Victoria Hudson, Pickens, South Carolina
Maple Sugar Pumpkin Pie
We make our own maple syrup, and that's what gives this pie its special taste. You might want to bake this for your Thanksgiving meal. —Martha Boudah, Essex Center, Vermont
Fluffy Key Lime Pie
For a taste of paradise, try this no-bake pie. It's low in fat, sugar and fuss. It truly is the best Key lime pie recipe ever! —Frances VanFossan, Warren, Michigan
Mocha Java Pie with Kahlua Cream
I'm a big coffee drinker and love the iced and frozen versions, too. This pie was my way of incorporating those flavors into a dessert. —Becky McClaflin, Blanchard, Oklahoma
Florida Citrus Meringue Pie
Why limit a fantastic dessert to just one kind of citrus fruit? Thanks to orange and lemon, this lovely pie packs a bold sweet-tart flavor! —Barbara Carlucci, Orange Park, Florida
Double-Crust Strawberry Pie
The first time I made this pie it was delectable, so I wanted to share it. Fresh strawberries sprinkled with cinnamon make a delicious pie served warm or slightly chilled. —Patricia Kutchins, Lake Zurich, Illinois
Silky Chocolate Pie
Chocolate makes the world go round! We have a family that loves chocolate pies, and this version with a splash of brandy is smooth as silk and oh, so special. —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Toffee Ice Cream Pie
“This is my sister’s recipe, but I modified it to save time in the kitchen. No doubt about it, you’ll want a second serving.” Janell Greisen - San Dimas, California
Rhu-berry Pie
I cook in a coffee shop, so I'm always looking for new and unique pies to serve my customers. The combination of blueberries and rhubarb in this recipe caught my eye and it was an instant best-seller. —Karen Dougherty, Freeport, Illinois
Easy Crunch Berry Pie
This is a fresh, simple approach to making a company-worthy pie. The playful Cap’n Crunch cereal crust is fun to bite into, and it’s the perfect complement to a mixed berry no-bake filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Apple Pie
I remember coming home sullen one day because we'd lost a softball game. Grandma, in her wisdom, suggested, "Maybe a slice of my homemade apple pie will make you feel better." One bite, and Grandma was right. If you want to learn how to make homemade apple pie filling, this is really the only recipe you need. —Maggie Greene, Granite Falls, Washington
Honey Pecan Pie
Looking for a sweet ending to a special meal? This attractive pecan pie is bound to please with its traditional filling and honey-glazed pecans. —Cathy Hudak, Wadsworth, Ohio
Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie
My grandmother made this treat every year for Christmas. It’s much better than everyday apple pie. The recipe is a family treasure. —Maxine Theriauit, Nashua, New HampshireThe post This Young Baker Makes Pies to Help Fight Hunger in His Community appeared first on Taste of Home.
Mandy Naglich