3.14.2011

Black Bottom Pie for National Pi Day!

National Pi Day! 3.1415926535 8979323846 2643383279 … Oh who am I kidding. I had to look that up on Wikipedia. It’s been YEARS since I’ve done any higher level math, and I barely remembered up to 3.1415. But today, March 14th (3/14), is the day when math nerds celebrate the circle. For those of us not so mathematically inclined, luckily there’s a different kind of circle to enjoy today as well. The baking enthusiasts have deemed today National Pi(e) Day! So let’s celebrate with a slice.

The only kind of pies I’ve ever made involve graham cracker crust and pudding. But when Kiesha challenged me to bake a pie today, I couldn’t just back down. It was time to overcome my irrational pie fears and start baking. I put it off as long as possible, so I woke up early this morning ready to suck it up and bake. First stop—actual pie crust.

Flour, sugar, butter, a pinch of salt, and some cold water. Totally easy. Easy as pie even. Yeah.. It’s easy to mix. But I messed up the first time I rolled it out. And the baking? Well.. This is what happened.


Needless to say, I went straight to Plan B—throwing on my coat over the shirt I wore to sleep in and my flour covered jeans and heading straight for the frozen foods section of the grocery store to pick up one of those premade crusts. I’m not ashamed. I don’t feel the least bit guilty. That little Dough Boy makes them so much better than I do.

Next up—the filling. Chocolate custard on the bottom, a rum spiked airy custard on the top. Easy peasy. Except my rum custard tasted distinctly like eggs. I forgot to strain the mixture after I cooked it… Luckily once everything was layered up, it disappeared, and left a light, silky, delicious chocolaty-vanilla cream in its place. I had no need to be worried. This pie is definitely high on the YUM scale. And it looks gorgeous with the chocolate shavings sprinkled over the top. Once you cut into it… Well…


Not the easiest pie to plate, but it tastes darn good all mixed up like that. Hope you enjoy Pi(e) Day with a little slice of something!



I was running late for work, so I didn't get a chance to type the recipe up. But here's the link for the Martha Stewart recipe I used.

4 comments:

  1. My pie won't slice either! But the taste is all that matters. Keep trying with the pie crusts! They can be evil sometimes, but when you get it right, it's soooo good.

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  2. I wish I knew about pi day sooner! I would have made a pie!

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  3. I have a special place in my heart for pi day as it is also my anniversary! (And yes, as engineers we found it fitting to have pi-shaped sugar cookies for our guests) This year I made the hubby a mini apple pi(e) since it's one of his favorites, but I'm pretty sure I'd eat every last crumb of this pie without sharing - anniversary or not. ;)

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  4. Oh, that's too bad your crust didn't turn out! Glad you had a back-up plan though. : ) And really, who cares if the pie didn't slice and plate well? Just pass everyone a spoon and dig in!

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