Celebrate Pi Day with a Slice of History: Duncan Hines-Inspired Pie Recipe
Pi Day is a fun time when we mix math and baking. It happens on March 14th, because the date looks like the number π (3.14), which goes on forever. On this Pi(e) Day, we remember Duncan Hines, who loved to bring tasty recipes from restaurants to our homes. He showed us that making a fancy pie can be easy and fun. So, let’s celebrate Pi Day by baking a special pie that’s as endless in flavor as π is in numbers.
Adventures in Home Cooking: Duncan Hines’ Culinary Legacy
In the heyday of print media, Duncan Hines was a household name, bringing his “Adventures in Good Eating at Home” column to families all over. His work in the late 1940s and early 1950s allowed home cooks to embark on culinary expeditions right in their kitchens, featuring restaurant recipes adapted for the everyday cook. Hines’ was dedicated to making gourmet cooking accessible.
Duncan Hines: A Lasting Tribute
Hines’ impact extends beyond his columns and cookbooks. In his hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky, he is a celebrated figure. A stretch of U.S. Route 31W was posthumously named the Duncan Hines Highway as a tribute to his contributions. Moreover, his legacy is immortalized in an exhibit at Western Kentucky University’s Kentucky Museum, where visitors can delve into the life and works of this culinary trailblazer.
Let’s honor Duncan Hines on Pi Day with a simple, tasty pie recipe—perfect for enjoying a slice (or 3.14!) of delicious tradition.
Pi Day Celebration Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
- 🥧 1 pre-made pie crust (because sometimes, simplicity is key!)
- 🍓 3.14 cups of mixed berries
- 🍚 1/4 cup of granulated sugar (add more to taste)
- 🌽 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 🧂 A pinch of salt
- 🍋 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 🥤 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 🌼 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 🥚 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 🍬 Extra sugar for sprinkling
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the mixed berries, sugar, cornstarch, salt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the berry mixture into the pie crust, spreading it evenly.
- If you’re feeling creative, use additional dough to create a π symbol for the top crust. Otherwise, a lattice or full crust top will do just fine.
- Beat the egg with a tablespoon of water to make an egg wash, and brush it over the crust.
- Sprinkle the top with a bit of sugar for a delightful crunch.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Allow the pie to cool before serving to ensure the filling sets
On this Pi Day, as we savor each bite of our berry pie, let’s raise a fork to Duncan Hines — a man whose passion for food paved the Duncan Hines Highway, both literally and figuratively, in the realm of American gastronomy.
