Few things say fall like the smell of a freshly baked pie. But did you know that your favorite autumn dessert doubles as a hands-on STEM lesson? From measuring ingredients to understanding why dough gets flaky, baking is full of opportunities for kids to explore science, math, and even engineering all from your kitchen.
This fall, we’ve whipped up a recipe for a BAM! Berry Apple Magic Pie, a delicious treat that teaches real science while being approachable for young bakers. And don’t worry about the crust. We’re making it as simple as possible so anyone can join in! Scroll to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Some things to consider, before you begin baking:
Even a pre-made crust is full of chemistry.
You don’t need to stress about rolling out dough for hours. Start with a pre-made pie crust, the shortcut that still delivers buttery, golden goodness.
The Science Behind Store-Bought Crust
- Butter in the dough melts in the oven, releasing steam. That steam creates tiny pockets of air, giving your crust a light, flaky texture.
- Sugar sprinkled on top caramelizes, adding sweetness and a beautiful golden color.
- Proteins in the dough help the crust hold its shape, keeping the filling perfectly contained.
By using a ready-made crust, kids can focus on observation and science without getting overwhelmed by tricky dough work. Win-win!
There’s more STEM magic in the filling.
The Berry Apple Magic Pie filling is where the magic happens with apples, berries, and spices combining into a gooey, fruity masterpiece.
STEM in Action
- Chemistry: Apples and berries release water as they cook. Cornstarch reacts with that water, forming a gel that thickens the filling so it holds together once cooled.
- Predict and Observe: Ask kids what will happen to the fruit while baking. Have them watch closely as it softens, bubbles, and becomes jammy.
There’s math in every slice.
Baking a pie is full of counting, measuring, and fraction practice. Kids can:
- Measure the sugar, cornstarch, and spices to practice reading measuring cups and spoons.
- Count berries or split the pie into equal slices.
- Double or triple the recipe to explore fractions and measurements in a tasty, tangible way.
When kids see the results in the finished pie, it’s math they can eat!
Heat changes everything.
Explain to your child that:
- The oven’s warmth transforms the liquid filling into a solid, structured pie.
- Crust browns because of the Maillard reaction, a chemical process that makes baked goods golden and delicious.
- Placement on the oven rack can affect how evenly something bakes. Try baking two pies on different racks and compare results.
Along the way, encourage kids to think like engineers. How can they prevent spills or soggy bottoms? How does changing baking time or temperature affect the pie?
In baking, creativity meets curiosity.
Kids can add their own twist to this BAM! pie:
- Use leftover crust scraps to make letters or shapes for the topping.
- Swap out berries or try different spices.
- Experiment with the amount of oat topping for extra crunch.
Each variation is a mini experiment. Kids can hypothesize, observe, and taste the results.
BAM! Berry Apple Magic Pie Recipe
Servings: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the crust
- 1 pre-made pie crust
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1 tablespoon sugar for sprinkling (optional)
For the filling
- 2 cups apples peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 ½ cups mixed berries blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
- ½ cup sugar adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the topping (optional)
- ¼ cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
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Or, cut out letters or shapes from leftover crust!
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Place pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan (if not included with the crust), press edges gently, and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
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Combine all filling ingredients in a large bowl and stir gently until the fruit is evenly coated. Encourage kids to notice textures, smells, and colors changing as they mix.
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Pour filling into the crust and add oat topping or decorative crust shapes if desired.
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Bake 35 to 40 minutes until crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Cover edges with foil if browning too quickly.
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Cool at least 15 minutes, slice, and enjoy the BAM! magic!
Baking this BAM! pie is a hands-on adventure in science, math, engineering, and creativity. As the warm spices fill your kitchen and the crust browns, your kids will discover that even a simple recipe is full of experiments, predictions, and delicious results. Who knew learning STEM could be so cozy? Happy baking and happy fall from all of us at Brains & Motion!
P.S. Did you know we now offer Food Science enrichment courses at select schools? Click here to see if we’re at your child’s campus, or request programs.
