My wife loves to bake (I specialize in consumption), and we watch a lot of baking shows. My favorite is the Kids Baking Championship, where 9-12 year old kids make me feel like at least part of our future is in good hands! In addition to creating spectacular treats, they toss around terms like 11 Across with abandon. After looking it up, I figured I’d create a midi around a basket of French pastry. (Best solved with a strong coffee or some 26 Across.)
Loved the theme and the title, thank you! (Reminds me of the movie “Stranger Than Fiction.”) Very minor note: in 6D looks like the clue is singular and the entry is plural.