March 14th: the one day a year when math nerds and food lovers unite in a shared, unspoken agreement that circles are best appreciated when they’re either baked to golden perfection or topped with extra cheese. National Pi Day is upon us, the annual 3.14-powered excuse to indulge in pies of all kinds—from the flaky, fruit-filled kinds your grandma perfected to that crispy, gooey, cheese-laden pie straight from your favorite pizza joint.
Pi Day, of course, takes its name from the mathematical constant π (3.14159…), the never-ending number that’s basically a never-ending reminder of high school geometry class. But why spend the day trying to calculate the area of a circle when you can eat one instead? Whether you lean sweet or savory, this is the one holiday where it’s socially acceptable to plan every meal around a crust.
Pie: The Culinary Holy Grail of Comfort
Let’s talk pie—the MVP of Pi Day. Apple, pumpkin, cherry, pecan, lemon meringue—each slice is an edible time capsule, packed with memories of family gatherings, summer picnics, and late-night kitchen raids. But if you’re looking to truly honor Pi Day with an A-list dessert, consider one of the most famous pie recipes in America: Joanne Chang’s Perfect Apple Pie from Flour Bakery + Café in Boston. A Harvard graduate-turned-pastry queen, Chang’s recipe is the kind of thing that inspires devotion. It features a buttery, flaky crust and a spiced apple filling that strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet.
Here’s how to make it:
Joanne Chang’s Perfect Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 6 to 8 apples (Granny Smith and Honeycrisp work well)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions:
- Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water until the dough comes together. Divide into two discs and refrigerate.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out one dough disc and fit into a pie pan.
- Toss apples with sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Pour into pie shell.
- Roll out the second dough disc, place it over the apples, and crimp the edges. Cut small slits for ventilation.
- Brush the crust with egg wash. Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before slicing.
Pizza: The Pie That Knows No Rules
For those who prefer their pies with a little more mozzarella, pizza is an equally valid—and delicious—Pi Day tribute. And while we’d never dare tell you where to get your slice (New York vs. Chicago-style is a debate we’re staying out of), we can all agree that Pi Day is the perfect excuse to order an extra-large, no regrets.
Pro tip: If you really want to lean into the nerdy spirit, cut your pizza into 3.14 slices and watch your friends attempt to eat a fraction of a slice like they’re contestants in a reality show.
The Real Meaning of Pi Day (Besides Eating)
Sure, Pi Day is technically about math, but in reality, it’s about celebrating life’s simple pleasures. It’s about the joy of a flaky crust, the magic of melted cheese, and the universal truth that circles (whether in pie tins or pizza pans) make life infinitely better.
So whether you’re celebrating with a fork or your hands, make this Pi Day count. Grab a slice, savor every bite, and raise a toast to the beautiful, delicious symmetry of 3.14.
Happy Pi Day, and may your crusts always be golden!
Photos courtesy of Masterclass, Pizzana
Follow @alisondeyette and learn more about Alison Deyette and her media training business at AlisonDeyetteMedia or her work on TV at AlisonDeyette.com.
