The Common Denominator of Pi & Blogs - plus a Pie Crust Recipe

Today is Pi Day and I am (sort of) talking math, as I illustrate the common denominator between pi and blogging. If you don't like arithmetic - don't click away yet! I am also sharing a wonderful pie crust recipe on this day of π!

3.14.16

March 14th has become known as "Pie" or "Pi" day, thanks to the ingenuity and creativity of math teachers attempting to better engage their students in the subject of math. March 14th -- or  3/14 -- is Pi Day because the infinite number of Pi (3.14 ...) begins with the same numbers as this date. 

Pi can be written with an endless number of digits after the four in 3.14, although it is most commonly used in mathematical calculations as 3.14159. Celebrating Pi was an extra big deal in 2015 when the date could
be written as 3.14.15, using five of the first digits of Pi. 

This is not a math lesson, but, do you even know (or remember) what Pi really is? 

(I'll give you a brief explanation, but if you want more details, check out this website: mathforum.org)

Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. 

The ratio that is pi is the same for every single circle. The number pi is useful in a variety of ways, one of which is to calculate the area of a circle. The concept of pi is very old, originating with the Egyptians and Babylonians. 

People began using the symbol π in the early 1700's. I learned just a minute ago how to type the pi symbol using an apple computer keyboard! (Hold down the "option key" and letter "p" at the same time and the symbol π will appear!)

So - what does Pi have to do with blogging?

I think most bloggers would agree that blogging has a lot in common with pi. Since we are talking math today, it could be said that there is a common denominator between them. Here are some examples of the way blogging and pi are alike: 

• Just as pi is an infinite number, there are a seemingly infinite number of blogs in existence and a truly infinite number of ways to blog about different topics. 
• Like the math teachers, bloggers need to be creative to be constantly coming up with new content and attracting new readers.  
• A person can always learn and memorize more of the digits that make up π. Bloggers are always learning new things; like me just figuring out how to type the symbol π - something I may never have known if I was not writing this article!
• Blogs and circles both come in many sizes, but certain factors for both always remain the same. Every circle has the same π, and no matter the frequency of posts or number of followers, every blog requires a computer and an internet connection. 
• A full rotation around a circle is 360 degrees. Every 365 days, a blog is one year older. And Pi Day just happens to be the anniversary of this blog!

This blog is two years old today! My Blogiversary is on Pi Day! 

It was exactly 2 years ago today on 3/14/14 that I published the first post on my blog, The Most - - of Every Moment. At the time, I didn't even think about the significance of it being Pi day. Now, though, the anniversary of my blog is easy for me to remember - it will always be Pi Day. 

Since my blogiversary coincides with Pi Day, perhaps I should celebrate with pie, not cake! Pie ... or perhaps a cheesecake made in a pie plate. 

I just followed a cheesecake recipe published on the King Arthur Flour website, which produced excellent results. It was easy and quick to make - and unlike many cheesecake recipes, it only used 16 ounces of cream cheese (which was all I had in the fridge!) 

Instead of using granulated sugar, the recipe calls for confectioner's sugar in the graham cracker crust. The resulting crust held together well, is really tender, and has an even better flavor than when made the traditional way with granulated sugar. If you try it, I think you will agree! 

Graham Cracker Crust (from King Arthur Flour)

(Printable recipe: Click Here)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1/3 cup melted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt (I used a little extra salt, (not quite a 1/4 tsp instead of and the slight saltiness of the crust really contrasted nicely with the cream cheese filling of the cheesecake I was making.)

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Whisk together graham cracker crumbs, confectioner's sugar and salt. Add melted butter and combine well.
2. Pat crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. If making the King Arthur Flour cheesecake recipe, be sure the top of the dish measures at least 9 inches and the depth is at least 1 1/4 inches.)
3. Add pie or cheesecake filling.

Be sure to visit the King Arthur Flour website for their easy and delicious cheesecake recipe. I've had excellent results from all of their recipes that I have tried, and they even have a "live chat" where you can get the answers to your baking questions.

I made this cheesecake in a springform pan and formed the crust only as a bottom layer. Now that I know how good this crust recipe is, I will be sure to use a pie plate next time and form a nice thick crust on the sides as well!

I'm using this recipe for all my future graham cracker pie crusts!

In a previous post, I shared the recipe for my favorite Chocolate-Marshmallow Pie. I never thought it could be improved upon, but the next time I make it, I will use this recipe for the graham cracker crust! 

Thanks for visiting this blog and I hope you continue to enjoy it

I am so thankful for the many readers I have had over the past two years (730 days!) This blog has seen many changes since it began. It will continue to evolve, to better serve both my needs as a writer and your interests as a reader. I look forward to us continuing to learn new ways together, to make the most - - of every moment!

Happy π Day!

Do you celebrate Pi Day? If so, how?

Have you ever used confectioner's sugar to make a graham cracker crust?

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