Saturdays in high school were spent on the battlefield. Legends were forged and Letterman Jackets were earned one equation at a time at Mu Alpha Theta math competitions across the state of Louisiana. The pressure was enough to snap your perfectly sharpened number two pencil and make you throw your TI-86 across the room (something I saw happen more than once). The mathletes needed a leader, and as their president I was there to guide the way to glory. I answered to only one person (aside from Pythagoras), and that was Mrs. Vedros. Whether putting up with a bunch of teenagers randomly serenading her with "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" at the Math State Convention Dance (yeah you wish you could have been there) or giving us moon pies to teach us about the importance of Pi Day, she was always there to make sure math won the day.
Despite having the blog for over three years now, I had never properly celebrated Pi Day (aside from Kevin's write-up of Bumbleberry Pie). As this was the ultimate once in a century Pi Day extending all the way out to four decimal places (3.1415), I was not going to settle for another year of staring longingly at other people's pies on Facebook. I was going to recreate one of the greatest dessert concoctions from the pie Eden known as House of Pies that started it all and make my fellow mathletes proud.
Bayou Goo Pie
Filling adapted from Real Cajun Recipes and Crust from All Recipes
Servings: 1 ~ 28.3" circumference Pie
Time: 20 minutes (plus setting in the fridge overnight or at least 2 hours)
Crust
1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
6 tbsp butter, melted
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Filling and Topping
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz Cool Whip (separated)
1 (4 oz) box chocolate instant pudding
1 (4 oz) box vanilla instant pudding
2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips (separated)
Cocoa powder, sifted
Amazing graham cracker crust ready in under 15 minutes. |
Calculate the proper dish depth or be "forced" to eat the excess |
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Make the easiest crust ever by mixing the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, butter, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Press the mix into a 9" pie tin. Bake for 7-10 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Let cool to a level greater than or equal to how awesome you were in high school.
- Make the first layer by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and half of the cool whip using the whisk attachment of an electric mixer.
- Stir in half the chocolate chips and fill in the first layer of pie.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the puddings, milk, and vanilla together. Stir in the chocolate chips, and let set for 5 minutes.
- Create a pudding layer on top of the cream cheese layer. Cover and let set over night.
- Top with the remaining cool whip and dust on some cocoa powder.
- Relive your glory days in math club while enjoying a delightful slice.
The pie should be filled with peaks, like those that we fortunately did not reach in high school. |
Attempts to calculate the rate of consumption were hindered by its exponentially growing nature due to optimal deliciousness. |
Next up: Mole Day!
Two Mu Alpha Theta presidents partaking in some Quiz Bowl and most likely answering the question "Who is the most awesome mathlete of them all?". |