Introduction: Radian Chocolate Pudding Pi

About: I am passionate about my career as a math teacher, enjoy anything outdoors, love to travel, and enjoy putting a smile on others faces through my creations.

Do you know somebody that loves to eat but hates to study math?  Well here is the perfect way to get them involved in the study of the unit circle while enjoying a delicious chocolate pudding pie.  This recipe is simple, classic, and very easy.  

Step 1: Making the Crust

For the crust:
10 graham cracker sheets (ie 20 individual squares)  This makes about 1 1/2 cups crushed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon butter

In a food processor or with a rolling pin and zip top bag crush the graham crackers to make a fine powder.  Melt the butter in the microwave and add in the butter, sugar, and water.  Mix together until moistened.  Dump into a 8 - 9 inch glass pie dish.  Using your hands, press the crumble to form a crust.  Bake the crust at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.  Remove and let cool.

Step 2: The Filling

Here is where you have a lot of freedom to choose any flavor filling you may want.  This could include various different gelled fruits, puddings, or whips.  
For my pie I simply used an instant chocolate pie mix to keep it simple yet still very tasty.
Following the instructions on the box I added 2 1/2 cups of milk and whisked until thickened.
Pour the pudding into the crust and smooth out.  Let the pie set in the refrigerator before decorating.

Step 3: Decorating

This is a very fun step that requires a few common kitchen tools.  You will need sandwich sized zip top bags (or pastry bags) and a piping tip with a fine point on it (i used wilton #3).  To decorate I used both white and dark chocolate melting discs.  The white and milk chocolate discs can be purchased from any craft store (Michael's, Joannes, etc).  Melt some of the white and dark chocolate discs and fill into a piping bag (make your own with the zip top bag).  Pipe the various radian measures onto the unmelted white chocolate discs, let set in the refrigerator to harden.  Using white chocolate, pipe the coordinate axis onto the pie, making sure to label both the x and y axis.  For the center pipe out a chocolate disc with the symbol for Pi and let it set in the refrigerator before placing it on the pie.  

Step 4: Enjoy!

Now you can enjoy the beautiful, educational, and delicious pie you have created. Dollop each slice with whipped cream and remember to study your radian measures before you eat up the entire 2pi!

Serious Eats Pi Day Pie Contest

Participated in the
Serious Eats Pi Day Pie Contest