Introduction: Archimedes Pi
I inherited the glomming gene from my grandpa. It's both a blessing, and a curse. We can sit down, eat gobs of chocolate, waddle away, at peace with ourselves, and ten pounds denser. Thanks to my DNA, I have always been a chocolate lover.
I am also a huge geek--calculus is my favorite math subject. I hope to wield a calculator for the powers of good someday. But for now, I'll bake desserts and answer questions about pi at scholar bowl meets.
This pie is in honor of Archimedes, who was the first mathematician to theoretically calculate the value of pi. My theory: all of the really special ingredients in this pie start with a letter in Archimedes' name.
If you can remember Archimedes, you have most of your shopping list.
• Almonds
• Reese's
• Cream cheese
• Honey graham crackers
• Ice cream
• Mini marshmallows
• Evaporated milk
• Dark chocolate
• Eggs
• Sugar (brown, powdered, and white)
There are two πs in this pie. But don't be fooled. This pie is not for the faint at heart. You should probably abstain from chocolate consumption for a few days before you commence the baking process. This is the epitome of π pie.
I am also a huge geek--calculus is my favorite math subject. I hope to wield a calculator for the powers of good someday. But for now, I'll bake desserts and answer questions about pi at scholar bowl meets.
This pie is in honor of Archimedes, who was the first mathematician to theoretically calculate the value of pi. My theory: all of the really special ingredients in this pie start with a letter in Archimedes' name.
If you can remember Archimedes, you have most of your shopping list.
• Almonds
• Reese's
• Cream cheese
• Honey graham crackers
• Ice cream
• Mini marshmallows
• Evaporated milk
• Dark chocolate
• Eggs
• Sugar (brown, powdered, and white)
There are two πs in this pie. But don't be fooled. This pie is not for the faint at heart. You should probably abstain from chocolate consumption for a few days before you commence the baking process. This is the epitome of π pie.
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Utensils
Utensils:
•1 piece paper, ex: computer paper
• marker
• pastry brush
• pie pan (preferably clear glass)
• Small mixing bowl
• Medium/large mixing bowl
• Sauce pan
For the crust:
• 1 1/2 cups Honey graham cracker crumbs (I used 8 whole crackers)
• 1/3 cup crushed Oreos
• 4 Reese's peanut butter cups, quartered
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
For the pie:
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup chopped unsalted almonds
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
For the π:
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (or cane sugar)
For the fudge topping:
• 6 ounces evaporated milk
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
•1 piece paper, ex: computer paper
• marker
• pastry brush
• pie pan (preferably clear glass)
• Small mixing bowl
• Medium/large mixing bowl
• Sauce pan
For the crust:
• 1 1/2 cups Honey graham cracker crumbs (I used 8 whole crackers)
• 1/3 cup crushed Oreos
• 4 Reese's peanut butter cups, quartered
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup melted butter
For the pie:
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup chopped unsalted almonds
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
For the π:
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (or cane sugar)
For the fudge topping:
• 6 ounces evaporated milk
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
Step 2: Preparing the Crust
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Preparing the crust:
To create a pi design on the bottom of your pie, you will need to cut out a pi design out of a piece of paper that will fit on the bottom of your pan. To do this, turn your paper horizontally, and make an outline of π (I used Google images as a reference). You will then need to cut out the inside of the π design, to make a stencil for your crust.
Place the stencil face down in the pie dish. Using a pastry brush, brush the interior of the stencil with melted butter. Then press the Oreo crumbs into the butter, until you have a reverse π design in the bottom of your pie dish. Carefully remove your π stencil, and set it aside. You will need it later.
Then mix the rest of the melted butter with your graham crackers, and press the mixture into the pan, around the π and up the sides of the pie dish. Place your Reese's peanut butter cups in concentric circles on top of your pie crust.
Set aside.
Preparing the crust:
To create a pi design on the bottom of your pie, you will need to cut out a pi design out of a piece of paper that will fit on the bottom of your pan. To do this, turn your paper horizontally, and make an outline of π (I used Google images as a reference). You will then need to cut out the inside of the π design, to make a stencil for your crust.
Place the stencil face down in the pie dish. Using a pastry brush, brush the interior of the stencil with melted butter. Then press the Oreo crumbs into the butter, until you have a reverse π design in the bottom of your pie dish. Carefully remove your π stencil, and set it aside. You will need it later.
Then mix the rest of the melted butter with your graham crackers, and press the mixture into the pan, around the π and up the sides of the pie dish. Place your Reese's peanut butter cups in concentric circles on top of your pie crust.
Set aside.
Step 3: Creating the Delicious Chocolate Filling
In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together brown sugar and 1/2 cup melted butter. Beat in the two eggs one at a time and a teaspoon of vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture, mixing well. The batter will be thicker than brownie batter.
Fold in 1/3 cup chopped almonds, 1 cup mini marshmallows, and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips.
Press into prepared pie crust. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together brown sugar and 1/2 cup melted butter. Beat in the two eggs one at a time and a teaspoon of vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture, mixing well. The batter will be thicker than brownie batter.
Fold in 1/3 cup chopped almonds, 1 cup mini marshmallows, and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips.
Press into prepared pie crust. Set aside.
Step 4: Creating the Cream Cheese Pi
Cream together 4 ounces of cream cheese and two tablespoons of powdered sugar, until it looks like frosting.
Place your π stencil face up on top of the pie. Fill in the stencil with cream cheese, then carefully remove it.
Place your π stencil face up on top of the pie. Fill in the stencil with cream cheese, then carefully remove it.
Step 5: Chocolate Fudge Drizzle
Melt 1 cup chocolate chips into 6 ounces of evaporated milk over low heat while the pie is baking. Heat until the sauce is warm, then pour into a serving dish and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Keep warm.
You can refrigerate any leftover drizzle and use it as an ice cream topping.
You can refrigerate any leftover drizzle and use it as an ice cream topping.
Step 6: Baking
Bake the pie at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. The pie is done when very little brownie batter sticks to a knife stuck in the middle of the pie (chocolate chip and/or marshmallow goo is totally fine).
Step 7: Eating
Serve pie warm at 1:59 P.M. (the pi minute) on March 14, with ice cream and fudge drizzled on top.
May the π be with you.
May the π be with you.