Pudding and Pie Quilt Block and Happy Pi Day!

Pudding and Pie Quilt Block Information

Happy Pi Day!  In case you are rusty on your math terms, Pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.  Pi = 3.14  (In other words, the circumference of a circle is about three times the size of its diameter.)

The 6th graders at my school are celebrating Pi Day in a fun, educational way.  Ahead of time, they created Pi Day T-shirts that they are wearing today.  The T-shirts feature appropriate Pi-related terms and definitions.  Several students brought pies this morning.  The students will measure the diameter and circumference of each pie for a hands-on lesson on the concept of Pi.  I love it!

This is the apple pie that my friend Cheri made for her daughter to take to school today.  Didn't she do an amazing job? 

If you want your own hands-on Pi lesson, here are some delicious recipes for you to try.  Don't forget to measure the circumference and diameter of the cooled pies before you eat them!

Peach Upside Down Pie

Pastry for double 9-inch pie

2 tablespoons butter

2/3 cup toasted and chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans
1/3 cup brown sugar

5 cups peeled sliced peaches

¾ cup sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons tapioca
½ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1. Prepare pastry.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
3. Line a 9-inch pie pan with a 12-inch square of foil, letting excess foil overhang edge. Spread with butter and press nuts and 1/3 cup brown sugar into butter.
4. Fit a bottom crust into pan, over the nut mixture. Mix remaining ingredients and pour into crust.
5. Cover with a top crust. Trim edges, seal well, and prick pie with a fork. Brush lightly with milk.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 375 degrees and continue baking for 35 to 40 minutes.
7. Cool pie. Turn upside down on serving plate and remove foil. The top will be a crunchy layer of the nutty mixture. Cut pie into wedges to serve.

Hattie's Apple Crumb Pie

4 large, tart apples

1/2 recipe Plain Pastry

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup butter

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Pare apples; cut in eighths and arrange in 9-inch pastry-lined pie pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup sugar mixed with cinnamon.

3. Sift remaining 1/3 cup sugar with flour; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apples.

4. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake about 40 minutes more, or until apples are tender.

What is your favorite kind of pie?  Inquiring minds want to know!  By commenting, you'll be entering to win a copy of A Time for Peace (Quilts of Lancaster County) by Barbara Cameron. If you are reading this via email, you must click on the title of my blog post to be able to comment and read the comments of others. The winner will be announced on April 1.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post March Wishing for Spring Basket Quilt Block.