Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese: A Deliciously Fresh Dessert

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There’s something about the sweet, juicy flavor of strawberries paired with a smooth cream cheese filling that makes Strawberry Pie irresistible. This dessert takes a bit of time, but it’s well worth the effort. The pie starts with a flaky homemade crust that’s buttery and light. Then it’s filled with a creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese and topped with fresh strawberries for a bright, vibrant finish. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and creamy.

The Perfect Flaky Pie Crust

Creating a pie crust from scratch is an essential step for this recipe. It provides a delicate, crispy base that enhances the flavors of the cream cheese and strawberry filling. If you’ve never made a homemade pie crust before, don’t worry. The process is straightforward, and the results are spectacular.

The butter in this recipe creates those sought-after flaky layers, while the sugar and salt balance out the flavors beautifully. Rolling it out just right ensures a sturdy yet tender foundation for your strawberry and cream cheese layers. Let’s get started on this irresistible dessert!

A Creamy, Sweet Layer of Cream Cheese

The cream cheese layer is a creamy surprise that pairs perfectly with the fresh strawberry topping. It adds richness to the pie, giving it depth and a slight tang that complements the sweetness of the strawberries. This simple mixture of cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar creates a silky-smooth texture that spreads evenly across the crust.

Fresh Strawberry Filling Bursting with Flavor

The highlight of this pie is, of course, the strawberry filling. Ripe, fresh strawberries are combined with a touch of sugar, a bit of gelatin, and lemon juice to create a slightly sweet, slightly tart filling that holds together without overpowering the natural flavor of the fruit. The result is a glossy, beautiful pie filling that shines as the star of the dessert.

This Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese is a stunning dessert that’s perfect for spring and summer gatherings, or whenever you’re in the mood for a fresh, fruity treat. Let’s jump into how you can recreate this beautiful pie right at home!

Ingredients for Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese

When making this Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese, it’s essential to gather the freshest and finest ingredients. Each layer of this pie, from the flaky crust to the rich cream cheese and juicy strawberry filling, plays a vital role in creating the perfect dessert. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Pie Crust:

• All-Purpose Flour – The base of the pie crust, this gives the dough its structure.
• Granulated Sugar – A small amount of sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the crust.
• Kosher Salt – Enhances the flavor of the crust and balances the sweetness.
• Butter – Chilled and cut into cubes, butter is the secret to achieving a flaky, tender crust. Make sure it’s cold!
• Ice Water – Keeps the dough cool and helps bring the dough together without overworking it.

For the Cream Cheese Layer:

• Cream Cheese – Softened to room temperature, this creates a smooth, creamy base for the filling.
• Confectioner’s Sugar – Adds sweetness to the cream cheese without making it gritty.

For the Strawberry Filling:

• Fresh Strawberries – The star of the pie. Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the strawberries just enough without overpowering their natural taste.
• Flour or Cornstarch – Acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the filling holds together well.
• Knox Gelatin or Sure-Jell (low-sugar) – This helps set the strawberry filling without adding too much sweetness.
• Pinch of Salt – Balances out the sweetness and enhances the natural flavor of the strawberries.
• Juice from Half a Large Lemon – Adds brightness and acidity to the strawberry filling, enhancing its flavor.

How to Make the Perfect Pie Crust

Making the pie crust from scratch is an important step that sets the foundation for the pie. Here’s a simple, foolproof method for preparing a buttery and flaky crust.

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and kosher salt. This creates an even distribution of the dry ingredients before adding the butter.
2. Work in the Butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Toss the butter pieces in the flour to coat them. Using a pastry blender (or your hands), cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pea-sized bits of butter remaining. These small butter pockets create flakiness in the crust.
3. Add Ice Water: Slowly drizzle in the ice water while stirring the dough with a fork. Mix until the dough just holds together when pinched with your fingers. Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep it tender.
4. Knead and Shape: Gently knead the dough just until it’s smooth and the butter is evenly incorporated. Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a 1-inch thick disk. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 48 hours.
5. Roll and Prepare for Baking: When ready, remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough into a 13-14 inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-10 inch pie plate and press it into the corners and up the sides. Trim the overhang and flute the edges as desired.
6. Chill and Bake: Refrigerate the prepared crust for 15 minutes to firm up. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Once chilled, prick the bottom of the dough with a fork. Line the crust with foil and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and foil. Continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Let it cool to room temperature.

Now that your crust is ready, it’s time to move on to the rich cream cheese layer and the fresh strawberry filling!

How to Assemble the Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese

After preparing the flaky pie crust, it’s time to assemble the layers that make this dessert irresistibly delicious. The combination of a smooth cream cheese base and fresh strawberry filling creates a stunning pie that’s bursting with flavor. Follow these steps to create your perfect Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese.

Assembling the Cream Cheese Layer

The creamy filling adds a smooth and rich texture to the pie, creating a lovely contrast to the fresh strawberries on top. Here’s how to prepare and spread it over your pre-baked crust:

1. Mix the Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. This ensures the texture will be silky and easy to spread.
2. Add Confectioner’s Sugar: Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar to the cream cheese, mixing until fully incorporated. This step sweetens the cream cheese without overpowering its slight tang, creating the perfect balance for the strawberries.
3. Spread the Mixture: Once the cream cheese is ready, use a spatula to evenly spread it across the bottom of the cooled pie crust. This will form a delicious base for the strawberry filling.

Preparing the Strawberry Filling

The strawberry filling is the star of this pie, offering a fresh, vibrant flavor. Using fresh strawberries ensures a natural sweetness and a gorgeous red color. Here’s how to create this luscious filling:

1. Prep the Strawberries: Start by rinsing, drying, and hulling the fresh strawberries. You’ll want about 4 pints, or roughly 3 pounds, of strawberries. Once cleaned, set them aside to dry fully.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour (or cornstarch), gelatin, and a pinch of salt. This dry mixture helps thicken the strawberry filling and keeps it from becoming too runny.
3. Combine the Strawberries and Sugar Mixture: In a large bowl, toss the prepared strawberries with the dry mixture, ensuring each berry is evenly coated. The sugar will begin to draw out the natural juices from the strawberries, creating a lovely, glossy filling.
4. Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice from half a large lemon over the strawberries and mix gently. The lemon juice brightens the flavor of the strawberries and balances the sweetness.

Final Assembly and Serving

Now that the cream cheese layer and strawberry filling are ready, it’s time to assemble the pie and let it set before serving. Here’s how to bring it all together:

1. Add the Strawberry Filling: Gently spoon the strawberry filling over the cream cheese layer, making sure to distribute the strawberries evenly across the pie. The mixture should sit neatly on top of the cream cheese without spilling over the edges of the crust.
2. Let the Pie Set: To allow the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up, refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 2-3 hours before serving. This chilling time is essential for the gelatin to set properly, ensuring the pie slices cleanly.
3. Serve and Enjoy: Once the pie has set, slice and serve! The combination of the buttery, flaky crust, creamy cream cheese, and fresh, juicy strawberries is sure to impress anyone lucky enough to get a piece. You can garnish the top with extra fresh strawberries or a dollop of whipped cream for an added touch.

How to Store Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers (although it’s hard to believe this pie won’t be devoured right away!), you can store them easily:

• In the Refrigerator: Store the leftover pie in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• In the Freezer: For longer storage, wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw the pie overnight in the refrigerator.

This Strawberry Pie with Cream Cheese is a perfect combination of fresh flavors and rich textures, making it an ideal dessert for any occasion. Enjoy this sweet treat chilled, and share the deliciousness with friends and family!

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