Every year on March 14th (3.14), my boys and I celebrate an important and yummy holiday: Pi Day. Pi Day honors the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. But in our house, we like to put a delicious spin on it—turning Pi Day into Pie Day! It's the perfect excuse to indulge in the flakiest, most buttery, and downright delicious pastry America has to offer. Making them is just as fun as eating them.

My kids, Jack and Jacob, and I have made it a tradition to celebrate Pie Day in style. We spend the morning baking our favorite pies, from classic apple to decadent chocolate cream. The aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and melting crust wafts through our house, making everyone's mouth water in anticipation. We have so many great ideas for pies this year. Jack, Jacob, and I are going to really focus on crusts and recipes this year. 

Pie has been a staple of American food for centuries, from the meat pies of early colonial days to the present iterations of both savory and sweet concoctions. It's a symbol of warmth, comfort and community. But Pie Day is more than a celebration of American culture and tradition, it’s also about celebrating and acknowledging the importance of mathematics. 

Mathematics plays a crucial role in the art of pie-making. From measuring ingredients to scaling recipes, math is an essential tool for any aspiring pie-oneer. I am blasted to be the mom of two boys who love pies and math. 

Here are just a few ways math makes Pie Day possible, as well as teachable moments to turn this treat into a lesson:

1. Geometry of the Crust: The perfect pie crust requires a deep understanding of geometry. The ratio of crust to filling, the angle of the crust's edges, and the circular shape of the pie all rely on mathematical concepts.

2. Ratios and Proportions: To ensure the perfect balance of flavors and textures, pie recipes rely on precise ratios and proportions of ingredients. Math helps us scale recipes up or down, maintaining the delicate balance of sweet and savory.

3. Measurement and Conversion: Accurate measurement is critical in pie-making. Math helps us convert between units (e.g., teaspoons to tablespoons), ensuring our ingredients are precisely measured.

4. Pi(e) itself: The mathematical constant pi (π) is approximately equal to 3.14, which is why we celebrate Pie Day on March 14th. Pi is essential in calculating the circumference and area of circles – like the circular shape of most of our beloved pies! (We get creative sometimes.) 

To help you celebrate Pie Day in style, I'm sharing our favorite apple pie recipe at the bottom of this article. 

But if sweet pie (or baking) isn't your vibe, head to Lit Pizza for their PI DAY Special:  a two topping 11” pizza on regular crust for only $3.14 

Here's that recipe:

Ingredients:

- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

- 1/2 cup shortening, chilled

- 1/4 cup ice-cold water

- 6-8 medium-sized apples, peeled and sliced

- 1/2 cup granulated sugar

- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 1/4 tsp nutmeg

- 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add butter and shortening, using a pastry blender or your fingers to work them into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Gradually add water, stirring with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball.

4. Divide dough in half, shape into disks, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together sliced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

6. Roll out one of the chilled dough disks to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with apple mixture and dot with butter.

7. Roll out the second dough disk to fit the top of the pie. Crimp edges to seal and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

8. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender.

There you have it – a slice of American culture, courtesy of our favorite apple pie recipe. So, go ahead, grab a fork, and join us in celebrating Pie Day!

Happy Pie Day, everyone!