Description
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie is a delightful American dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust baked to perfection, filled with a smooth and creamy cream cheese filling blended with whipped heavy cream, and topped with fresh strawberry halves glazed in sweet strawberry preserves. This easy-to-make pie is perfect for summer gatherings and offers a refreshing, fruity finish that requires minimal baking and ample chilling time for the best flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
For the crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
For the topping:
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup strawberry preserves or jam, warmed slightly
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until the mixture is evenly combined. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate to form the crust.
- Bake the crust: Place the pie plate in the oven and bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes, until it is lightly browned and set. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Make the filling: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. In a separate cold bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to create a light and fluffy filling.
- Assemble the pie: Spread the cream cheese filling evenly into the cooled graham cracker crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Add the topping: Arrange the halved fresh strawberries evenly over the cream layer. Using a spoon or pastry brush, glaze the strawberries with the warmed strawberry preserves to give the pie a beautiful shine and added sweetness.
- Chill: Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours to allow it to set fully. This step ensures a firm texture and melds the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Using a store-bought graham cracker crust can save preparation time.
- For an extra flavor boost, add a teaspoon of lemon zest into the filling mixture before folding in the whipped cream.
- This pie is best served within 2 days and should always be kept refrigerated to maintain freshness.
- Ensure the heavy cream is cold before whipping for better volume and texture.
