This Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie combines the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries with a shiny thick glaze nestled in a flaky pie crust. It’s a great dessert for warm days – a nostalgic dessert that’s gorgeous and delicious. Whether with a layer of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top, it is a delightful treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fresh and fruity: Each bite bursts with the prolific flavor of freshly-ripe strawberries.
Effortless Glaze: Preparing the strawberry glaze is really easy and takes so little time, really, and it makes this pie so perfect!
Versatile: This pie is for anytime; barbecues, get-togethers, or desserts on the coffee table, it’s a special pie to bring along.
Make Ahead: You can put together the pie a few hours in advance and instantly impress the group.
Custom: For ultimate indulgence, garnish with whipped cream and then put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
Key Ingredients
Fresh Strawberries : The highlight of the show! Choose ripe, brightly-colored red strawberries, delivering maximum flavors and sweetness.
Sugar : Sweetens the glaze and balances the berries’ tartness.
Cornstarch: The thickening agent that gives you a shiny and cohesive pie.
Pastry: Good old all-butter crust is what gives the amazing golden crispy base.
Cold Water: Helps dissolve the cornstarch smoothly for the glaze.
Tiny Pinch of Salt: Enlarges the overall flavor profile.
Red Food Coloring (Optional) : The bright red color will give a pizzaz to the glaze and will make the tort visually stunning.
Whipped Cream or Vanilla Ice Cream (Optional): The perfect toppings to complement the sweet, fruity pie.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
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Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberries
Hull and Halve the Strawberries:
Wash the strawberries thoroughly.
Remove the green stems and white cores (hull the strawberries).
Halve the strawberries and measure out 6 cups.
Set aside 1 cup of the halved strawberries for mashing.
Step 2: Create the Strawberry Glaze
Mash the Strawberries:
In a small bowl, mash the reserved 1 cup of halved strawberries with a fork or potato masher. Set aside.
Combine Sugar and Cornstarch:
In a medium saucepan, mix together 1 cup of sugar and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch until no lumps remain.
Add Water and Salt:
Stir in ¾ cup cold water and ¼ teaspoon salt until well combined.
Add Mashed Strawberries:
Mix the mashed strawberries into the saucepan.
Cook the Mixture:
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
(Optional) Add a few drops of red food coloring for a vibrant hue.
Thicken the Glaze:
Continue stirring and cooking for about 3 minutes after boiling, until the glaze is thick and clear.
Cool the Glaze:
Remove from heat and let the glaze cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Pie
Arrange the Strawberries:
Place the remaining 5 cups of halved strawberries into a pre-baked pie shell. Distribute them evenly.
Spoon the Glaze Over the Strawberries:
Pour the cooled glaze over the arranged strawberries, ensuring each berry is coated, and the glaze fills the gaps between the berries.
Step 4: Chill the Pie
Refrigerate the Pie:
Place the pie in the refrigerator and chill for 1-2 hours. This allows the glaze to set completely, creating a firm, sliceable texture.
Step 5: Serve
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the pie with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Slice and enjoy your fresh strawberry pie!
Serving Suggestions
While the Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pie is enough on its own, enhancing it with the right accompaniments is a lovely idea.
A Dollop of Whipped Cream: Light and airy, it balances the sweetness of the pie.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy and cool, the ice cream melts nicely into each forkful.
Iced Tea or Lemonade: Cold refreshing drinks that go nice sidewalks for the summertime.
Fresh Mint Leaves: Feel free to sprinkle a few on top for some seriousness and aroma; an interesting touch.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Refrigeration: Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate leftovers. It will stay fresh for 3 days.
Freezing: This pie does not freeze properly, with the fresh strawberries and glace getting soggy upon thawing.
Make-Ahead Option: Prepare a day ahead pie crust and glace. Leave them at room temperature and refrigerate the crust and the glace. Assemble and refrigerate the pie once again on the day of serving.
Reheating: Best served cold; enjoy this pie without reheating for better taste and texture.
Variations
Variety Berry Pie: Instead of using all strawberries, try using some raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a gathering of berriliciousness.
Gluten-free Option: Pick a pre-made gluten-free pie crust, or try making your crust using alternatives to wheat flour, such as almond or oat flour.
Sugarless: Use erythritol or any other artificial utility as a sugar substitute in a thin layer of granulated sugar for a sugar bonds version.
Chocolate-Drizzled Strawberries: Finish off your strawberries with a drizzle of melted chocolate for a more sophisticated flair.
Addition of Lemon Zest: Whisk a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest into the icing for a tangy kick.
Conclusion
The Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pie is THE dessert for the strawberry enthusiasts. The glossy and juicy filling with a flaky crust, and its completeness with customizable toppings will always make it a timeless work of art. Serve it at a lazy summer barbecue or on an impulse, fat and sweet pie-baking session; either way, it is a joy to make and to enjoy. So. Take out your fresh strawberries, roll out the pie dough, and enjoy sharing with little effort. A fantastic occasion!
Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch deep-dish pie crust baked
- 6 cups fresh strawberries hulled and halved, divided
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- red food coloring optional, for vibrant color
- whipped cream or vanilla ice cream optional, for serving
Instructions
- Wash and hull the strawberries. Halve them and set aside 1 cup for mashing.
- Mash 1 cup of strawberries. In a saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water, salt, and mashed strawberries. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and clears. Cool for 10 minutes.
- Place the remaining 5 cups of strawberries into the baked pie crust. Pour the cooled glaze over the strawberries, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Refrigerate the pie for 1-2 hours to set the glaze.
- Slice and serve cold, optionally topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.