Strawberry Pie

You'd think that since I had planned to make this pie since last week the weather would have cooperated with me.  It's been beautiful and in the 80s around here -- perfect spring weather -- until today.  Today it's 55 for the high and it was hailing earlier.  Go figure.  Oh well, I made it anyway.  :-)

I like this pie because it's very refreshing and won't weigh you down on a hot summer afternoon.  Also, this is my submission to tonight's Sweetnick's ARF/5-a-day because of the strawberries.  Go over to her site and check out the other submissions -- I'm sure you'll find something yummy to inspire you.

Two Tier Strawberry Pie
(adapted from All Recipes)

• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 12 ounces thawed strawberry Cool Whip
• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup grenadine syrup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (today I used 1/2 teaspoon sour salt)
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled, quartered

1. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth and creamy.  Stir in vanilla extract.  Fold in strawberry Cool Whip.  Spread over bottom of pie shell.  Chill.
2. In a saucepan, mix together sugar and cornstarch.  Stir in water until smooth.  Add grenadine and lemon juice.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.  Allow to cool, then chill.
3. Just before serving, stir together strawberries and cooled cornstarch mixture until evenly coated.  Spread over cream cheese layer.

Comments

[Claire]

So pretty and bright. My favorite dessert is classic strawberry pie, but this looks like a nice change from that. Kind of a cheesecake-type version.

[Cate O'Malley]

Nicholas LOVES strawberries - this looks great!

[Cindy]

Mmmmm, that looks yummy! We looked at one at Costco today that looked almost as good as yours, but we decided we'd better pass on the calories! We had some strawberries a few days ago that were delicious. This makes me want to go get more!

[Alisha]

Claire,
Classic strawberry pie is good too! This one isn't as heavy as a cheesecake would be (which is a good thing) and it's great when you don't have a ton of strawberries (ours here are still running about $3 a container -- I got these on sale for $2 and was happy).

Cate,
It is great! I'm glad Nicholas loves strawberries -- wish my kids did!

Cindy,
I think this one would be slightly healthier than the Costco version (or I bet you could use Cool Whip light and light strawberry cream cheese to make it healthier).

[sher]

Oh yummy!!! I love strawberry pie! That's simply wonderful.