S’mores 𝛑
A Pi Day Celebration

It’s that time of the school year! Though I missed Pi Day in my classroom last year because of, well, you know, it was on the calendar eerily when I returned back to my classroom finally 6 months later. This year Pi Day would fall on a Sunday, so I livened up the Friday before, determined not to miss another Pi Day with my students. Trying to get back to normal, this celebration would be my 3rd annual–and the best yet. This pie was a huge success, though a bit too chocolatey rich for them. Here is the pie:

The Crust:

1 8.8 oz. package Lotus Biscoff Cookies

A few Girl Scouts S’mores cookies I had left over (optional)

6 Tablespoons Earth Balance, melted

1.) Put all cookies in the food processor and let process until it has reached a uniform sandy texture.

2.) Dump cookie crumbs into a large bowl and add Earth Balance one tablespoon at a time until it resembles wet sand.

3.) Carefully dump wet sand crumbs into a greased 9″ pie pan. Press with your hands to form a crust with a uniform thickness on the bottom and up the sides.

4.) Place in refrigerator to solidify, at least an hour.

The Chocolate Layer: (adapted from The Vegan 8)

400 grams dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I used Enjoy Life)

1 can full-fat coconut milk

1/2 cup raw cashew butter, stirred well if separated

2 Tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1.) Scoop contents of can of coconut milk, water and cream, into blender and blend until uniform. (No need to rinse out the cup of the blender after; you’ll use it for blending the chocolate layer.)

2.) Combine coconut milk and chocolate chips in the top of a double-boiler. Heat on low heat, stirring often with a rubber spatula until chocolate is smooth. Set aside during the next step.

3.) Add the remaining ingredients into the blender, then scrape melted chocolate in as well. Blend until uniform and delicious-looking.

4.) Remove crust from fridge and pour the blended chocolate layer into the crust.

5.) Place in freezer to flash-freeze for no more than 1 hour (set the timer!) then transfer to refrigerator. Let it set for 3-4 hours or overnight.

The Marshmallow Layer

3/4 cup aquafaba (liquid drained from one can of chickpeas)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1.) Drain the aquafaba directly into a glass measuring cup. It should be about 3/4 cup. Pour the aquafaba into a small saucepan and keep the measuring cup next to the stovetop.

2.) Simmer over a medium heat until it has reduced to 1/3 cup, pouring the simmering aquafaba in the measuring cup several times until it has reduced to 1/3 cup. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes.

3.) Pour the reduced and cooled aquafaba into the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whisk on high speed until soft peaks form.

4.) Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and the vanilla and whisk until well combined. Then add the rest of the sugar and whisk at high speed until it is brighter white, glossy and thick like marshmallow fluff.

5.) Spoon onto the set chocolate layer and smooth with a rubber spatula. If you have the tools, torch the top! Your S’mores Pie is complete!

So many circles ⭕ ⭕ ⭕

Pi… the splendor of the universe quantified. Oh, yes. I made these homemade graham cookies in the shape of pi and covered them in chocolate.

It was a horrible recipe that I barely salvaged. I recommend making the biscuit recipe I have used for Mallomars and Scooter Pies. And use the chocolate coating recipe too!

Looking into infinity. (Thank you, Toy Story, for giving my students an introduction to that word.)

I would have preferred more marshmallow meringue. And I think my students would too.

I tried to take the subway with my faulty carrier inside the big blue Ikea bag. But my big hips rattled the pie while walking… So it was an Lyft ride to school. I really miss my car. 🙁

But it sliced very well despite the meringue breaking down a bit. I don’t think I whipped it enough.

Ready for my students in various un-uniform slices.

That thick chocolate layer stayed set gorgeously.

Oozing sweetness

Rave reviews for the pie….

The activity leading up to the sweet treat was a lot of fun. Since they had no experience with geometry concepts involving circle, we had a throwdown, inspired by Neil deGrasse Tyson, because all students are blown away by the idea of a neverending number!

Crumbled pi

The greatest compliment: when your students want to save a portion for their sibling. My students have such pure and potent hearts, untainted by all the damage that growing up does to that vital organ. It brings me to tears to be amidst it daily. If emotional resilience and perception was on the report card, all my special learners would be acing school. Can you tell I’m so happy to be back in the classroom?

Happy Pi Day, you speck of dust in the vast Universe. I’m glad you floated my way…

Previous years’ Pi Day:

Eat Some Vegan Pi

Happy π Day