Strawberries and Cream Pie Recipe

One of my goals this year is to share more of the talented friends I have met through the food blogging community. Today, I am happy to welcome Melissa from Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen. Melissa is a true Southern cook with a gift for comforting, crowd-pleasing recipes. If you enjoy homestyle dishes, be sure to take a look at her Sausage, Egg and Hash Brown Biscuit Bake, which is perfect for a relaxed weekend breakfast, and her Beef Pot Pie, a cozy dinner filled with classic flavor. She also bakes beautifully, so dessert lovers will want to check out her Apple Slab Pie and Boston Cream Layer Cake.

Hi y’all, I’m Melissa from Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen. I was absolutely delighted when Joan invited me to share a recipe on her wonderful blog. Joan and I became fast friends after meeting through blogging several years ago, and I consider her one of my most treasured friends. She is generous, encouraging, and always ready with a laugh or a little friendly advice when it is needed most.

Most of the time, though, we simply enjoy talking about life, family, baking, and the everyday things that make friendship so special. I could say so much more about how much I appreciate her, but she invited me here to share a recipe with you, so let’s talk about something sweet, fresh, and perfect for spring: Strawberries and Cream Pie.

This fresh Strawberries and Cream Pie is a beautiful dessert for spring gatherings, summer cookouts, Sunday dinner, or any occasion that calls for something light, creamy, and fruit-filled. The pie begins with a baked and cooled deep-dish pie crust. A sweet cream cheese layer is spread over the bottom, adding a rich, cheesecake-like surprise beneath the berries. Fresh strawberries are then arranged over the cream layer and covered with a homemade strawberry glaze. After a few hours in the refrigerator, the pie sets into a chilled dessert that slices beautifully and tastes even better with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

The homemade glaze is made with pureed strawberries, sugar, water, cornstarch, and a touch of almond extract. The amount of sugar can be adjusted depending on how sweet your strawberries are, which makes this recipe easy to adapt. When strawberries are especially ripe and flavorful, use the smaller amount of sugar. If they need a little help, add the full amount. A few drops of red food coloring may be used if you want a deeper color, but it is optional.

Strawberries and Cream Pie

Ingredients

• 1 9-inch deep dish pie crust, baked and cooled
• 2 lb fresh strawberries, divided
• 2/3 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar, adjusted to taste
• 1/2 cup water, plus 2 Tbsp
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp pure almond extract
• A few drops red food coloring, optional
• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Sweetened fresh whipped cream, for serving

Instructions

1. Rinse the strawberries, pat them dry, and remove the hulls. In a food processor, puree enough strawberries to equal 1 cup. Halve the remaining strawberries and set them aside.
2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and the pureed strawberries. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to medium-high.
3. Dissolve the cornstarch in 2 Tbsp cold water, adding a little more water if needed to make a smooth mixture. Whisk it into the strawberry sauce. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract. Add a few drops of red food coloring, if desired, then set the glaze aside to cool.
4. Using a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth, creamy, and fully combined. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of the cooled pie shell.
5. Arrange the halved strawberries in rows, starting at the center of the pie and working outward. Pour the cooled strawberry glaze over the berries. Chill for at least 2 to 3 hours, or until set. Serve with sweetened whipped cream. Yield: 6 to 8 slices.

Notes

Cook’s note: The amount of sugar in the glaze can be adjusted according to the sweetness of the strawberries. Taste your berries first, then choose the amount that best suits them.

If you love fresh strawberry desserts, this creamy strawberry pie is a wonderful recipe to keep close. It combines the freshness of ripe berries, the comfort of a classic pie crust, and the smooth richness of cream cheese in every slice. It is simple enough for a family dessert but pretty enough to serve to guests. Make it ahead, let it chill, and enjoy a cool, sweet slice when strawberries are at their best.

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