Strawberries and Cream Pie

By Penny Burdge
@PennyInKC

Another way to use those wonderful early summer berries.

Try to get medium-sized fresh strawberries of a uniform size. They work the best and they usually taste the best too.

Rating:

★★★★★ 2 votes

Comments:

15 Comments

Serves:

Prep:

15 Min

Cook:

10 Min

Method:

Bake

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
Wow, what a wonderfully delicious pie. The cream cheese and mascarpone filling's divine. Mascarpone cuts the tanginess of the cream cheese and helps to make the filling smooth and creamy. Toasted and crushed almonds added to the crust definitely give it a nutty flavor that complements the sweet graham crackers. Strawberries and chocolate on top make this an extra elegant dish that bursts with flavor. This dessert is very impressive. No need to tell your friends and family how easy it is to make.

Ingredients

1 c: graham crackers, crushed
1/2 c: almonds, toasted and crushed
3 Tbsp: sugar
2 Tbsp: dark brown sugar
6 Tbsp: butter, melted
8 oz: cream cheese
4 oz: mascarpone
1/3 c: sugar
1 tsp: pure almond extract
1 c: whipping cream, whipped
4 c: strawberries, medium-sized fresh whole
5 oz: semi-sweet chocolate, melted or a simple ganache

How to Make Strawberries and Cream Pie

Step-by-Step

1In a medium bowl, mix together all the dry crust ingredients well. Pour the melted butter over all and stir until moistened. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie pan. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes. Set aside until completely cooled.
2Beat the cheeses together until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar, then almond extract.
3Fold in the whipped cream. Spoon into cooled pie shell.
4If the strawberries are damp, pat them dry with paper towel. Arrange them, pointy side up, over the filling. Chill until the pie is set.
5Drizzle with melted chocolate or a simple ganache. Return the pie to the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.