If you had to pick a flavor for summer, you’d be hard pressed to find a more fitting one than strawberries and cream. The bright sweetness of the strawberries and the smooth richness of the cream… ah, so refreshing and cheerful! That’s what Strawberries & Cream Pie brings to the table (literally)! The strawberries are jammy and joyous, the cream layer is tangy, velvety, and floral, and the graham cracker crust is crumbly and crunchy. Nothing quite matches the flavor of Strawberries & Cream Pie just like nothing quite matches how refreshing and exciting it can be!
Ingredients
For the strawberry topping:
- 5-6 cups strawberries, quartered, stems removed, divided
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the cream cheese layer:
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
For the crust:
- 1 (9-10-inch) graham cracker crust
Directions
Step 1 –In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of the strawberries, the sugar, the cornstarch, and the lemon juice over medium-low heat.
Step 2 –Stir and cook the strawberry mixture until the strawberries release their juices, about 5 minutes.
Step 3 –Use a potato masher to crush the strawberries until they are mostly liquid.
Step 4 –Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
Step 5 –Boil the strawberry mixture for 1 minute, then transfer the saucepan from the heat.
Step 6 –Pour the strawberry mixture into a heatproof container to cool.
Step 7 –In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the cream cheese, the powdered sugar, and the vanilla extract until combined.
Step 8 –In a separate, clean bowl, beat 1 cup of the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
Step 9 –Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until just combined, thick and fluffy.
Step 10 –Spread the cream cheese mixture into the prepared graham cracker crust and refrigerate until the strawberry mixture completely cools.
Step 11 –Add the remaining strawberries to the cooled strawberry mixture and stir well.
Step 12 –Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer in the pie crust, piling and mounding the strawberries toward the center.
Step 13 –Return the pie to the fridge to cool until set, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Step 14 –Slice and serve.
