Get InsPIred To Celebrate Pi Day With These Grapefruit Pie Recipes
You may not know, but March 14th of every year is “Pi Day” – a mathematical holiday that celebrates “pi,” which is usually written numerically as 3.14. Pi is defined as the ratio of the circumference of a circle, but most people just use the day as an excuse to eat some delicious pie!
Since most people haven’t had to find the circumference of anything since high school, the purpose of pi as a number may not mean much. However, almost everyone also welcomes any opportunity to eat pie, especially grapefruit-based desserts.
Winter Sweetz wants to make sure everyone who celebrates “Pi Day” does it the right way – with a grapefruit pie featuring our Texas Rio Reds. Pies are a cultural staple of Texas, so it’s important to bake them with only the best ingredients. Thankfully, Winter Sweetz offers the sweetest, top-quality grapefruits anywhere.
Check out some of our favorite grapefruit pies below, and be sure to order some Texas Rio Red grapefruit today!
Check Out Some of Our Favorite Grapefruit–Based Pies!
Of course, you can find grapefruits as the primary ingredient for a number of timeless and beloved desserts. However, if we’re going to celebrate “Pi Day,” it makes sense that the dessert featured is pie.
Here are just a few of our favorite grapefruit-based pies and tarts to try out for yourself!
Rio Red Grapefruit Meringue Pie
While many people use lemons to make a meringue pie, we think our substitution of red grapefruits makes this a great twist on an extremely sweet treat! The light and fluffy meringue whip compliments the ever-so-crispy crust with a delightful fruity blast in between.
This pie is perfect to impress others and everyone is sure to ask for seconds when you bring it to a family or friendly gathering!
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup of sugar (more or less to your liking)
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- single-pastry pie dough
- 2 cups red grapefruit juice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 large eggs (whites and yolks)
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ tsp cream of tartar
- 6 tbsp sugar (for meringue)
Instructions:
- Roll dough into a 9 inch, ⅛ inch thick circle, place in a pie plate, and trim crust around edges. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees while the dough waits in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Double-layer the crust with foil and weigh it down then bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Combine sugar, cornstarch, and grapefruit juice in a saucepan and heat until thick. Lower heat and mix with egg yolks, then bring to a boil once more – stir occasionally. Remove heat again, add in butter, and pour filling into pie crust.
- Beat cream of tartar and egg whites together and slowly add remaining sugar until sugar is dissolved and shiny peaks form. Spread over pie filling and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Refrigerate for a few hours then serve.
Homemade Grapefruit “Pop-Tart”
It may not be called a “pie” but “pop-tarts” and other strudel are very close! Homemade versions of foods we know and love can be fun to make and sometimes even better than the original!
Use some delicious Texas Rio Red grapefruits, and you’ve got the makings for an incredible homemade pop-tart!
What You’ll Need:
- single-pastry pie dough per two tarts
- 1 ½ tbsp fresh or frozen Rio Red grapefruits cut in chunks per tart (sugar to taste)
Instructions:
- Roll dough into a large square, about ¼ inch thick and then cut equal-sized rectangles. Cut an even number to get both tops and bottoms.
- Place the grapefruit chunks and sugar in the center of each pastry. Place another patch of dough over the filling and connect around the borders.
- Use a fork to press and seal the edges as well as poke holes in the top for steam to exit.
- Bake tarts until golden brown and eat or decorate with icing and sprinkles (allow time to cool before you add decorations).
Of course, an easy grapefruit cream pie will always do in a pinch; these are just a few of our favorites you can try this Pi Day!
Pi Day Is the Perfect Opportunity To Enjoy Delicious Grapefruit Pies
If you need an excuse to bake and enjoy a grapefruit pie, then get ready for “National Pi Day” on March 14th! Even if you’re not a math person, you can still join the celebration with one of our delicious dessert recommendations.
Don’t wait until the last minute, though! Visit our Winter Sweetz website to order plenty of Texas Rio Red grapefruits and get lots of helpful hints.