Pi Cake

Pi Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant π. Pi Day is observed on March 14, since 3, 1, and 4 are the three most significant digits of π in the decimal form. Wikipedia

My math class was never like this. Big Sister and a friend spent yesterday afternoon baking cake for Pi Day today. Everyone in her 7th grade math class was to bring in "round" food today. They will measure and calculate and then eat. I heard there would be doughnuts, round tortilla chips, cookies and so on. 

But this may be the best round food of all. I had to good fortune to taste this cake a couple of weeks ago when these girls made it the first time and Big Sister brought a piece home to me. No cake mix for them. This is a totally yummy homemade devil's food cake. They found the recipe on the internet. And they obviously know their way around the kitchen.

I asked Big Sister if she would share the recipe with me so that I could post it. She was kind enough to type it out and email it to me last night. I'm posted many recipes from both of my daughters. How much fun it is for me to share a granddaughter's recipe here this time!

Here is Big Sister's email:

DEVILS FOOD CAKE RECIPE

1/2 cup butter

3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate

2 cups white sugar


2 eggs


1 cup water


2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour


1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda


1/4 teaspoon salt


1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour one 9x13 inch pan or two 9 inch round pans.

2. In a small pan melt the butter or margarine with the unsweetened chocolate. Set aside to cool slightly.

3. Cream together the sugar and the eggs until light in color. Add the chocolate mixture to the eggs and temper mixture by beating well (so you don't end up with scrambled eggs!) Add 1 cup boiled water (still warm) and blend well. Mixture will be very liquid.

4. Mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this mixture to the chocolate mixture and blend well.

5. Mix together the vinegar and the milk and stir into the chocolate batter. Pour into prepared pan(s).

6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cake divides well for filling with mousse, or ganache, or black forest fillings.

***The best clue to this cake being nearly done is that you will start to smell the aroma of chocolate filling your house!

DEVIL’S FOOD CHOCOLATE FROSTING

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup softened butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted


5 cups powdered sugar


1 teaspoon vanilla


3-4 tablespoons milk

DIRECTIONS:

Whip butter and cocoa together until smooth in large bowl.

Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar.

Slowly stream in milk until frosting reaches desired consistency.

Scrape sides and whip again until light, fluffy and smooth, 1-2 minutes.

***Frosts 1-9 or 8 inch round layered cake or 24 cupcakes.

Happy Pi Day!

π

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