If you’ve been searching for the ultimate Strawberry Pie Recipe, you’re in for a treat; nothing compares to the taste of a homemade pie brimming with fresh, juicy strawberries and tucked into a buttery, golden crust. As someone who’s spent years perfecting family-favorite desserts, I can tell you that this Strawberry Pie Recipe is a summertime essential.
Each bite highlights the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries wrapped in a tender, flaky crust that practically melts in your mouth; it’s light, fruity, and just the right amount of indulgent. Whether you’re planning a casual backyard picnic or a weekend family gathering, this Strawberry Pie Recipe is one of those classics that never disappoints.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Pie Recipe
This Strawberry Pie Recipe is a timeless classic that celebrates the sweetness of ripe strawberries at their peak; it’s the perfect dessert for late spring and summer gatherings. What sets this Strawberry Pie Recipe apart is its versatility—you can enjoy it as a no bake strawberry pie with a pre-baked crust or go fully traditional with a homemade pie crust. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs perfectly with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or even mascarpone; whether served alone or as part of a summer dessert spread, this Strawberry Pie Recipe is always a crowd-pleaser.
Jump to:
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Expert Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks
- Creative Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications
- Essential Equipment for the Best Results
- Storage and Meal Prep Guidelines
- Grandma’s Secret to the Sweetest Strawberry Pie Recipe
- FAQ
- A Sweet Finish You’ll Want to Make Again
- Related
- Pairing
- Strawberry Pie Recipe
Ingredients
For the Homemade Pie Crust:
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Cold butter, cubed
- Ice water
For the Strawberry Filling:
- Fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch thickener
- Fresh lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
For the Whipped Cream Topping:
- Vanilla extract
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preparing Your Homemade Pie Crust
- Start by combining flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together.
- Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial for preventing shrinkage during baking.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 12 inches in diameter. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan, trim excess dough, and crimp the edges decoratively. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent puffing.
Pre-baking the Crust
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line the pie crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove weights and parchment. Continue baking for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Let cool completely before adding the strawberry filling.
- Expert tip: If you notice any cracks forming during baking, brush them with beaten egg white while the crust is still warm to seal them.
Creating the Perfect Strawberry Filling
- In a large saucepan, combine 1 cup of the chopped strawberries with sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy, about 5-7 minutes. The cornstarch will help create that perfect gel consistency that holds the pie together.
- Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and vanilla extract. The lemon juice not only adds brightness but also helps preserve the strawberries' vibrant color. Let this strawberry glaze cool for 10 minutes.
Assembling Your Best Strawberry Pie
- Gently fold the remaining fresh strawberries into the cooled glaze mixture. This technique ensures every strawberry is coated while keeping the fruit pieces intact for beautiful presentation.
- Spoon the strawberry mixture into your cooled pie crust, arranging the strawberries so they create an attractive, mounded appearance. The filling should come just to the top of the crust without overflowing.
- Refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set properly. This is when the magic happens and your easy strawberry dessert transforms into a perfectly sliceable pie.
- Step 1: Preparing Your Homemade Pie Crust
Mix flour, salt, and cold butter to create a flaky pie dough from scratch.
- Step 2: Pre-baking the Crust
Pre-bake the crust using pie weights to prevent puffing and ensure even baking.
- Step 3: Creating the Perfect Strawberry Filling
Cook strawberries with sugar and cornstarch to form a glossy glaze.
- Step 4: Assembling Your Best Strawberry Pie
Fold fresh berries into glaze and spoon into the crust for a perfect strawberry pie.
Expert Cooking Tips and Kitchen Hacks
- Time-saving tip: Make your pie crust a day ahead and store it wrapped in the refrigerator. You can even freeze unbaked pie crusts for up to 3 months.
- Ingredient swap: If fresh strawberries aren't available, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them thoroughly first. Add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to compensate for the additional moisture.
- Common mistake to avoid: Don't skip the cooling step for both the crust and filling. Hot filling in a warm crust will create a soggy bottom, which nobody wants in their strawberry pie from scratch.
- Professional secret: Brush the bottom of your pre-baked crust with melted white chocolate before adding the filling. This creates a moisture barrier that keeps your crust crisp longer.
Creative Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications
Southern Strawberry Pie Variation
- Add ¼ cup of cream cheese to your filling for a richer, more decadent version that's popular in Southern cooking. This creates a strawberry cream pie that's absolutely irresistible.
Strawberry Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
- Replace the traditional pastry crust with a graham cracker crust made from 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs, ⅓ cup melted butter, and ¼ cup sugar. Press into your pie pan and chill until firm.
Quick Strawberry Pie Recipe (No-Bake Version)
- Use instant pudding mix instead of the cooked filling for an even faster dessert. Simply fold fresh strawberries into prepared vanilla pudding and pile into a pre-made crust.
Old Fashioned Strawberry Pie
- Add a lattice top crust and bake the entire pie for a more traditional presentation. Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.
Essential Equipment for the Best Results
Must-have tools:
- 9-inch pie pan (glass or ceramic works best for even browning)
- Rolling pin for the crust
- Medium saucepan for the filling
- Whisk for smooth mixing
- Pastry brush for egg wash
- Budget-friendly alternatives: A large mixing bowl can substitute for a stand mixer, and a clean wine bottle works as a rolling pin in a pinch.
- Pro equipment upgrade: A pastry blender makes crust-making much easier, and silicone pie weights are reusable and conduct heat better than dried beans.
Storage and Meal Prep Guidelines
Refrigerator Storage
- Your finished strawberry pie will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually improve after the first day as everything melds together.
Freezing Instructions
- You can freeze the unbaked pie crust for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing the completed pie as the strawberries will become mushy when thawed. Instead, freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 month.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare the crust up to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator. The strawberry filling can also be made a day ahead and stored separately, then assembled just before serving.ll to freezing for X days/weeks/months.
Grandma’s Secret to the Sweetest Strawberry Pie Recipe
When I was a kid, summer always meant a trip to Grandma’s kitchen, where the scent of fresh strawberries and buttery crust filled the air. One day, I asked her how her Strawberry Pie Recipe always tasted better than anyone else’s. She leaned in, smiled, and whispered, “Let the strawberries sit with sugar first — they’ll tell you when they’re ready.”
That simple step changed everything. Letting the strawberries macerate brought out their natural juices, making the pie rich, glossy, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of secret that doesn’t need anything fancy — just patience, love, and a bowl full of sun-ripened berries.
FAQ
What are the ingredients for strawberry pie recipe?
A classic strawberry pie recipe includes fresh strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, salt, and a buttery pie crust. Optional whipped cream adds a creamy finish.
What is Dolly Parton's favorite pie?
Dolly Parton has mentioned loving chess pie, but she’s also a fan of fruity Southern desserts like strawberry pie, especially when made with simple, homemade ingredients.
How do you keep a strawberry pie from being runny?
Use cornstarch to thicken the filling and let the glaze cool before mixing in the strawberries. Always chill the assembled pie for at least 2 hours before slicing.
What is the best pie crust for a strawberry pie recipe?
A buttery homemade crust is ideal for strawberry pie; it's flaky, holds up well, and complements the sweet filling. A graham cracker crust also works for a no-bake version.
A Sweet Finish You’ll Want to Make Again
This Strawberry Pie Recipe is proof that the most memorable desserts often come from simple, fresh ingredients prepared with love; juicy strawberries in a golden, flaky crust create a treat that’s both stunning and easy to make. Whether you go for the traditional baked version or a quick no-bake twist, this Strawberry Pie Recipe delivers that perfect balance of flavor and beauty every time.
Looking for more dessert inspiration? After trying this Strawberry Pie Recipe, you’ll definitely want to check out our Pumpkin Pie with Condensed Milk and the dreamy Chantilly Cake Recipe; they’re both fantastic options to round out your dessert table with rich, seasonal flavor and cloud-like sweetness.
Now grab those fresh strawberries and get baking; and when you do, share your creation in the comments—your favorite version of this Strawberry Pie Recipe might just inspire someone else! Don’t forget to rate the recipe and let us know how it turned out for you.
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Pairing
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Strawberry Pie Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9-inch pie pan Glass or ceramic preferred
- 1 Mixing bowl Large, for dough and filling
- 1 Rolling Pin For flattening pie dough
- 1 Saucepan Medium size, for filling glaze
- 1 Whisk For even blending of filling
- 1 Pastry brush Optional, for sealing crust
Ingredients
For Pie Crust
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter cold and cubed
- 3–4 tablespoon ice water
For Filling
- 2 lbs fresh strawberries hulled and halved
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch thickener
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Topping (Optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream cold
- 2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix & chill crust dough
- Prebake pie shell
- Cook glaze with berries
- Stir in flavorings
- Fold fresh strawberries
- Fill and chill pie
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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