Pie for Pi Day: Doing the Math in the Kitchen - The Sweet Spot - Cooking

Pies for Pi Day: Doing the Math in the Kitchen

No Comments | Written on March 14, 2012 at 11:14 am, by The Editors

What possible significance can National Pi Day (March 14; 3.14), have for those of us who are not either math whizzes or math-geek-wannabes? Well, if you’re a lover of the other kind of pie, the one with the flaky crust and the fruity or creamy sweet filling, we’ve got news for you. It’s relative!

See, Pi is not only a Greek letter (), but the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, which is 3.1415926535… According to Pi Day.org (where Pi Day is not only explained but offers up Pi T-shirts, coffee mugs, and all things ): “The area of a circle is calculated using Pi and the radius of the circle. This formula inspired the joke ‘Pies aren’t square, they’re round!’ (Hmmmm…. math humor.)

So bakers, unite! Let’s pop our favorite circular food in the oven and celebrate Pi Day with one of these Pi-worthy pies.

Kicking it off is the Apple and Browned Butter Pie (pictured above). Technically it’s a tart (a pie without a top crust), but this sweet pastry tart with Honeycrisp apples and baking spices so beautifully illustrates the edible area of a circle.

Macadamia-Nut Banana Cream Pie: How can you possibly make a smooth, creamy, luscious banana cream pie better? Give it some crunch with macadamia nuts.

Cherry Pie: Can he bake a cherry pie? Yes, he can, with this double-crust pie with the peek-a-boo lattice top and crammed with tart red cherries.

Chocolate Silk Espresso Pie: Bittersweet chocolate and ever-so-slightly bitter espresso powder combine to make an elegantly rich pie that is creamy and deceptively light.

Snickerdoodle Pie: One of our favorite cookies becomes a pie in this cinnamon-and-sugar dream of a buttery dessert. This is one the kids will go nuts over, and while they’re noshing, you can explain the meaning of Pi. Or not.