Amish Gooey Chocolate Molasses Pie

By Kevin Williams

Happy Pi day today! According to Wikipedia, Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant $π$ (pi). Pi Day is observed on March 14 (3/14 in the month/day format) since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant digits of $π$ . So, of course, pie bakers have to get in on the the day by creating the parallel "pie day."

So, for pie day Aster, Bea, and I did some baking. First, we used the "pat a pan pie crust" which, to my eye, is about the easiest homemade pie crust ever. No rolling pins needed, you make it with your fingertips in the pie pan. You can have a good crust full formed in your pie pan in less than 10 minutes.

Then we found this curious pie recipe....it's called "Union Pie" and it comes to us from an Amish settlement in Pennsylvania. But I think we should call it Chocolate-Molasses Pie. The original recipe called for King Syrup but we didn't have any (Reader Sharon sent us some last year but we made quick work of it), so we used molasses in its place. I also added a tablespoon of cocoa just for fun.

The result is a very good pie, not overpoweringly sweet, very easy to make, and good. When you are baking with a 2 and a 5-year-old quick and easy is the name of the game. Here are some phots and the recipe and then more awesome Amish pie recipes below.