Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
When Hallmark launched Baked with Love, its first reality baking competition, the goal was to produce a heart-forward, heritage-driven show rooted in family. The series, which features pairs of home bakers facing off in a warm, holiday-themed bake-off, infuses personal stories and cherished recipes into every challenge. Among the contestants were mother-daughter duo Debby and Kristen Pileri.
For Debby, an engineer who once worked for Kodak and lived in Paris and London before settling in Carmel, Indiana, the adventure was never part of any grand plan. Her life had already taken delightful detours—from raising three daughters to becoming a competitive tennis player and USTA official, to learning the waltz at age 63 so she and her husband, Doug, could dance at their daughter’s wedding.
“We have gone on to not only compete, but to become the 2026 National 9 Dance Champions,” she says.
Kristen, a social media influencer in the baking world, had posted her whimsical, funny cakes on Instagram; these edible creations caught the eye of a Hallmark recruiter.
“They messaged me suggesting I should audition for Baked with Love,” says Kristen.
The show, hosted by Tamera Mowry-Housley, required pairs, and Kristen knew exactly who she wanted beside her: her mom. Debby didn’t hesitate.
“It’ll be fun and easy. Piece of cake, literally,” she says with a chuckle. However, she also saw the deeper gift—the chance to spend time with Kristen.
What neither of them expected was how mysterious the process would be. Everything—from the audition logistics to the filming location—was kept under wraps. Coordinating auditions from two different states and time zones was challenging. And when they finally got the call that they’d be heading to the U.K., they were stunned.
“I thought, ‘Wait, is this real? It’s too good to be true,’” says Debby. Kristen’s reaction was more straightforward.
“Yes, free trip to England!” Kristen says. “We didn’t know where we were going, but we knew we were about to have an adventure.”
Once on set, the pair quickly became known for their humor—both in their interactions and in their bakes. Kristen, an animation storyboard artist, brought her comedic instincts straight into the kitchen. “Coming up with funny puns, jokes, and hilarious bakes was as natural as pie,” she says.
Debby notes that they became known for adding humorous themes to their bakes and puns for the camera. One of their favorites: a lobster-shaped red velvet Swiss roll named Yule Love Our Lobster Roll.
“We were very punny,” Debby says.
Beneath the laughter was a deep sense of connection—to each other, to their family history and to the other contestants. Host Tamera Mowry was remarkably personable.
“She seemed as intrigued by us as we were with her,” says Debby. “The judges always tried to find something good to say about each bake.”
One of the most meaningful moments came during their very first bake. The challenge required a pie—serendipitously, the one family recipe they knew by heart: Great Grandma Mabel’s strawberry rhubarb pie, which was the one thing Debby’s dad had taught his granddaughter Kristen to bake.
“Both our bakes became a tribute to my dad John [Kristen’s grandfather],” Debby says. “In the end, we wound up leaving the show due to his passing. He was truly an inspiration to us, resulting in a forever shared memory.”
Despite the emotional weight, the experience strengthened their bond. Kristen discovered her mother’s uncanny ability to stay calm under pressure.
“My mom can think on her feet like no other person I know,” Kristen says. “She really saved my butt a couple times when things didn’t go as planned.”
Debby, in turn, saw her daughter’s generosity and resilience. “She is extremely considerate of others and makes friends easily,” she says.
The experience was magical.
“I’ll never forget the feeling of being in the barn that was decorated like Christmas, with an incredible number of ovens humming, eager bakers wanting to share their recipes, and famous people wanting to talk to us,” Kristen says. “It felt like a dream.”
The dream continues as the contestants remain close, chatting daily in a group thread filled with new bakes, pets, marriages, babies and engagements (Kristen is set to wed Jeremy Arias). There’s even talk of a reunion down the road.
For now, Debby and Kristen continue to embrace mystery, creativity and stepping outside their comfort zones—just as they did when they boarded a plane to a secret destination, armed with giant suitcases, a recipe book from the Great Depression and a shared sense of adventure.
Watch Baked with Love on Hallmark+. Follow Kristen on Instagram @la_magnificake.
