I’m always on the lookout for simple, refreshing, and delicious desserts, especially those that showcase fresh, seasonal fruit. This Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie, with its promise of a vibrant, glistening strawberry filling and a pre-baked pie crust, immediately appealed to me! It seemed like the perfect dessert for a summer gathering, a potluck, or simply a delightful way to enjoy fresh strawberries.
My inspiration came from a love of classic fruit pies and a desire to create a pie that was both easy to make and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. I envisioned a pie that would be perfect for warm weather, requiring minimal baking and highlighting the natural sweetness of the berries.
My goal was to find a recipe that was both approachable for home bakers and yielded a truly impressive and delicious result. This Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie seemed to fit the bill perfectly: a pre-baked pie crust (homemade or store-bought), a simple no-bake strawberry filling made with gelatin, and an optional whipped cream topping.
This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dessert.
Nostalgic Appeal
Fresh strawberry pie, in general, holds a strong nostalgic appeal for many. It’s a classic dessert often associated with summertime, picnics, family gatherings, and homemade treats, evoking memories of warm days and simple pleasures.
The use of a pre-baked pie crust (whether homemade or store-bought) connects the recipe to a long tradition of pie baking, a quintessential American dessert.
The bright red color and fresh, sweet flavor of strawberries are instantly recognizable and comforting, evoking memories of childhood treats and summertime desserts.
And the overall presentation of the pie, with its glistening strawberry filling and optional whipped cream topping, is reminiscent of classic diner pies and home-baked goodness, evoking a sense of warmth and nostalgia.
Homemade Focus
While this Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie recipe utilizes a pre-baked pie crust (which can be homemade or store-bought) for convenience, the focus is still very much on homemade goodness. You’re creating a fresh, vibrant strawberry filling from scratch, using simple ingredients and a no-bake method.
I appreciate recipes that balance convenience with homemade elements, and this one does it perfectly. You’re saving time by using a pre-baked crust, but you’re still putting in the effort to make a delicious and flavorful filling from fresh strawberries and a simple gelatin mixture.
The homemade strawberry filling, made with fresh strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and strawberry gelatin, is a key element that elevates this pie and ensures a bright, authentic strawberry flavor.
And the act of arranging the sliced strawberries in the crust and pouring the gelatin mixture over them is a hands-on process that connects you to your food and allows for a beautiful presentation.
Flavor Goal
The primary flavor goal of this Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie is, unsurprisingly, a celebration of fresh strawberries! It’s a pie that’s designed to be refreshing, sweet, and slightly tangy, with a tender, pre-baked crust and a glistening, vibrant strawberry filling that sets up beautifully thanks to the gelatin.
The pre-baked pie crust provides a buttery, flaky base that complements the fresh strawberry filling.
The fresh strawberries, both sliced for the filling and potentially used as a garnish, are the stars of the show, offering their natural sweetness, juiciness, and vibrant color.
The strawberry gelatin adds an extra layer of strawberry flavor and helps to create a firm, yet jiggly, filling that holds its shape beautifully.
The sugar enhances the sweetness of the strawberries, while the cornstarch helps to thicken the glaze.
And the optional whipped cream topping adds a touch of lightness and creaminess, complementing the other flavors and textures.
Ingredient Insights
Let’s break down the simple ingredient list. We will skip amounts.
Pie crust (homemade or store-bought), pre-baked: This provides the foundation for our pie. Using a pre-baked crust makes this a no-bake filling recipe.
Sugar: This adds sweetness to the strawberry glaze.
Cornstarch: This is the thickening agent for the strawberry glaze, creating a smooth and glossy consistency.
Water: This is used to dissolve the cornstarch and create the glaze.
Strawberry gelatin: This adds extra strawberry flavor and helps the filling set up beautifully.
Sliced fresh strawberries: These are the heart of the pie, providing the fresh, sweet flavor and beautiful color.
Whipped cream (optional): For serving.
This ingredient list is very short.
Essential Equipment
You won’t need any specialized equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
A 9-inch pie plate: For baking the crust (if making homemade) and assembling the pie.
A small saucepan: For making the strawberry glaze.
A medium bowl:
A whisk:
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
It is a very basic equipment list.
List of Ingredients with Measurements
Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:
- 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream, optional
These are very easy ingredients.
Gather all ingredients before you start.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps.
1. Prepare and Bake the Crust (if making homemade):
- Preheat oven to 450°.
- Unroll crust into a 9-in. pie plate.
- Trim edge.
- Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil or parchment.
- Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice.
- Bake 8 minutes.
- Remove foil and weights; bake 5 minutes longer.
- Cool on a wire rack. If using a store-bought pre-baked crust, skip this step.
2. Make the Strawberry Glaze:
- Mash 1 cup strawberries; set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch.
- Stir in water and mashed berries.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- If desired, stir in food colouring
- Cook and stir 3 minutes more.
- Cool for 10 minutes.
3. Assemble the Pie:
- Spread about 1/3 cup of the slightly cooled glaze over the bottom and side of the crust.
- Halve the remaining strawberries
- Arrange in crust.
- Spoon remaining glaze over berries.
4. Chill:
- Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
5. Serve:
- Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
These instructions are very easy to follow.
Troubleshooting
Let’s address some potential issues:
Problem: My strawberry glaze is too runny. Solution: Make sure you cooked it long enough, stirring constantly, until it thickened properly. It should coat the back of a spoon. If it’s still too runny, you can try cooking it a bit longer, or adding a little more cornstarch (mixed with a bit of cold water to form a slurry) and cooking until thickened.
Problem: My strawberry glaze is too thick. Solution: Add a little water, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Problem: My crust is soggy. Solution: Make sure the crust is pre baked.
These tips are helpful.
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations:
Tip: For the best strawberry flavor, use fresh, ripe strawberries.
Variation: Add a layer of cream cheese filling to the bottom of the crust before adding the strawberries and glaze, for a strawberry cheesecake pie variation.
Tip: If you don’t have time to make a homemade pie crust, you can use a store-bought refrigerated or frozen pie crust. Just make sure to pre-bake it according to the package directions.
Variation: Use different types of berries, such as raspberries or blueberries, instead of or in addition to strawberries.
Tip: For a more intense strawberry flavor, you can add a few drops of strawberry extract to the glaze.
Variation: Garnish the pie with fresh mint leaves or a sprinkle of lemon zest for extra flavor and visual appeal.
This recipe is very versatile.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
This Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie is a refreshing and delicious dessert that’s perfect for warm weather.
Serving: Serve the pie chilled.
Pairing:
- It’s perfect for spring and summer gatherings, potlucks, picnics, or as a light and refreshing dessert any time of year.
- Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Pair it with a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of lemonade.
This is a perfect dessert for a picnic.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional information is approximate due to variations in specific ingredients and serving sizes. A serving (assuming the pie is cut into 8-10 slices) may contain:
- Calories: 200-300 (depending on crust and whipped cream usage)
- Fat: 8-15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4-8 grams
- Cholesterol: 20-40mg (depending on crust and whipped cream)
- Sodium: 100-200mg
- Total Carbs: 30-40 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 1-3 grams (mostly from the strawberries)
- Sugars: 20-30 grams
- Protein: 2-4 grams
This Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie is a relatively light dessert, especially if you use a store-bought crust and limit the amount of whipped cream.
PrintEasy Fresh Strawberry Pie
This Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie recipe uses a simple homemade glaze and fresh strawberries for a refreshing, no-fuss dessert. Perfect for summer!
Ingredients
Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:
- 1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- Whipped cream, optional
These are very easy ingredients.
Gather all ingredients before you start.
Instructions
Let’s break down the process into easy-to-follow steps.
1. Prepare and Bake the Crust (if making homemade):
- Preheat oven to 450°.
- Unroll crust into a 9-in. pie plate.
- Trim edge.
- Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil or parchment.
- Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice.
- Bake 8 minutes.
- Remove foil and weights; bake 5 minutes longer.
- Cool on a wire rack. If using a store-bought pre-baked crust, skip this step.
2. Make the Strawberry Glaze:
- Mash 1 cup strawberries; set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch.
- Stir in water and mashed berries.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- If desired, stir in food colouring
- Cook and stir 3 minutes more.
- Cool for 10 minutes.
3. Assemble the Pie:
- Spread about 1/3 cup of the slightly cooled glaze over the bottom and side of the crust.
- Halve the remaining strawberries
- Arrange in crust.
- Spoon remaining glaze over berries.
4. Chill:
- Refrigerate until set, 1-2 hours.
5. Serve:
- Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
These instructions are very easy to follow.
Recipe Summary and Q&A
Let’s finish with a final summary and a Q&A session:
Recipe Summary:
Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie features a pre-baked pie crust (homemade or store-bought) filled with fresh, sliced strawberries coated in a homemade strawberry glaze made with mashed strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, water, and strawberry gelatin. It’s chilled until set and can be served with whipped cream.
Q&A:
Q: Can I make this pie ahead of time? A: Yes! This pie is best made at least a few hours in advance to allow the filling to set completely. You can make it up to a day or two ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
Q: How long will the pie keep in the refrigerator? A: It will keep for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, covered.
Q: Can I freeze this pie? A: I don’t recommend freezing this pie, as the texture of the fresh strawberries and gelatin filling may change upon thawing.
Q: I don’t have strawberry gelatin. Can I use a different flavor? A: You can use a different flavor of gelatin, such as raspberry or cherry, but the flavor of the pie will be different. You could also try using unflavored gelatin and adding a little extra strawberry puree or jam for flavor.
Q: Can I skip the baking of the crust? A: No.
I hope this comprehensive guide has inspired you to make your own Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie! It’s a beautiful, delicious, and relatively simple dessert that’s perfect for showcasing the sweetness of fresh strawberries. Enjoy the process, and happy pie-making!
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