Hello, summer! Easy strawberry cream cheese pie with no Jello and no sweetened condensed milk! This version uses cornstarch to thicken the strawberry layer and has a base of sweetened cream cheese whipped with fresh cream for a decadent, creamy layer. Make this pie with your favorite pie crust; graham cracker or pastry pie crust both work deliciously!
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Ok strawberry season, I see you.
We have been going through literal gallons of local strawberries since the season started, and every year we go through the "they're just so much better in season, right?!" conversations that we have every year. I mean, of course local, in-season stuff is better.
Strawberry pie is one of my favorite ways to use up bunches and bunches of strawberries, and there are tons of variations on strawberry pie. This is a strawberry cream cheese pie with a fluffy cream cheese layer, lightly sweetened fresh strawberry topping, and flaky pie crust because I just like it better than graham cracker crust.
Think: A strawberry cheesecake pie, which miiiiight be what I start calling this to give proper credit to the cream cheese filling layer. It is absolutely delicious.
PS, if you have extra strawberries, turn them into a salad with my favorite strawberry cucumber salad!
Recipe Notes and Variations
- The filling of this pie is gluten free, so using a gluten free pie crust makes this a gluten free pie!
- Lots of strawberry pies have graham cracker crusts, and that would work great here. I really love pastry pie crust, though, so I bought a storebought crust and baked it then cooled it - the pie filling doesn't get baked into the crust in this recipe. The layers are prepared separately (crust, cream cheese, strawberries), then chilled together to finish the pie.
- This recipe will work with frozen strawberries, just thaw them a bit before you cook the filling, and eliminate the water from the strawberry layer.
- If you prefer a dairy-free pie, I have a no-Jello strawberry pie that is also delicious!
Ingredients
There are two things that are often found in strawberry cream cheese pie: sweetened condensed milk and Jello. This version has neither of those things, and I think the result is a pie that tastes much fresher (more strawberry flavor, less gelatin/sugar) and holds up a little bit better. Instead of sweetened condensed milk I used powdered sugar for structure and heavy cream for lightness and yummy flavor.
To hold the strawberries together, I use cornstarch and sugar just like in my easy strawberry pie. That's a great option if you aren't into dairy or want to use even more strawberries.
First: Par Baking Pie Crust Without Weights
When baking an empty pie shell, be sure to fill it with something to help hold its shape. There's a kitchen gadget called pie weights for this, but I don't have them because there are a lot of kitchen gadgets in the world.
Instead, I use sugar because it's always in my house. To par bake (or blind bake, or pre bake) the pie crust, I line the empty crust with aluminum foil, then fill that with sugar. Then I bake the pie crust per the package directions (usually 400F for 20 minutes or so), then remove it from the oven.
I let everything cool together for a bit, then dump the sugar back into the container and bake with it later. Dry sugar doesn't change much, if any, in the oven, so no need to throw it away and waste it.
Strawberry Pie FAQ + Troubleshooting
In this pie, combine some cold water and cornstarch to make a slurry, then add to a skillet with fresh strawberries and sugar just until the mixture bubbles. Turn the heat off, and the filling will thicken as it cools in the pie crust.
There are all sorts of ways to thicken strawberry pie filling: using strawberry jam, Jello, or cornstarch and water. I like cornstarch and water the best for strawberry pie filling because it allows the flavor of the fresh strawberries to shine through the most. It also keeps the filling gluten free!
This can happen, and it's such a bummer! The first thing to check is: have I let the pie chill for long enough? An hour or two more might do the trick!
If the pie has set for more than four hours, here are some other reasons the pie might be runny: Usually this happens when 1. the strawberries are extra juicy or 2. when the cornstarch isn't fully dissolved in cold liquid before adding to the hot pan. For the cornstarch to do its job, it needs to be dissolved all the way, then come to a boil just for a second to thicken the liquid from the strawberries.
Step By Step Instructions
Once the pie crust is baked and cooling, cut up the strawberries and measure the rest of the ingredients.
You can halve or quarter the strawberries, they will cook down a bit so aim for slightly larger than bite-sized pieces.
Next, make the cream cheese mixture. Start by adding the heavy cream to the bottom of a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, then whip the cream until it's fluffy - 5 minutes or so.
Next, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and beat together until the mixture is smooth and creamy and VERY YUMMY.
Now, strawberries! Strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water are all we need.
Preheat a medium skillet to medium heat, then add all of the filling ingredients. Stir together quickly - so the cornstarch incorporates with the strawberries, and turn the heat off as soon as the liquid bubbles. This activates the cornstarch and lets the mixture thicken then hold together once it cools.
Filling Pro Tip: The filling will seem a bit liquid while it is hot, but it will firm up and hold the strawberries together as it cools. Trust the process!
Now, we have a cream cheese mixture and strawberry filling cooling, so let's build the pie:
Spread all of the cream cheese layer all over the inside of the pie crust, including up the sides to make a little well for the strawberries. Pour the strawberry filling right into the center of the cream cheese mixture - this is mostly for looks so you can see the cream cheese layer, but it also prevents the crust from getting soggy if the pie sits in the fridge for a few days.
Let the pie chill for at least 2 hours, preferably longer, and loooooook at this beauty.
Magic happens in the fridge, for real. The fresh strawberries hold together beautifully, the cream cheese layer props everything up, the flaky pastry crust is just a dream.
Make Ahead and Leftover Storage
- This pie is delicious made a day in advance - I leave it uncovered in the fridge for the first day.
- After you serve the pie, lightly cover the leftovers - they'll be great in the fridge for 2-3 days, although the strawberry mixture may start to get a bit watery.
I know I know, lots of people are all CHOCOLATE OR IT'S NOT DESSERT, but this is a very excellent summer dessert recipe that I'm super into.
Try it soon, I hope you love it!
Recipe
Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
Ingredients
- 1 pie crust parbaked and cooled
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces whipped cream cheese
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 pound strawberries hulled and halved or quartered if large
- ⅓ cup water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Filling: In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the heavy cream for about 5 minutes until fluffy and soft peaks form. Add the cream cheese and powdered sugar and continue to beat until smooth and combined.
- Strawberries: Whisk together the water and cornstarch. Heat a medium skillet to medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the berries, sugar, and cornstarch mixture. Stir until the mixture bubbles and thickens, then turn the heat OFF. Let the berries cool slightly. Filling Pro Tip: The filling will seem a bit liquid while it is hot, but it will firm up and hold the strawberries together as it cools. Trust the process!
- Assembly: Scoop the cream cheese filling into the prepared pie crust. Use a spoon or spatula to scrape some of the filling up the sides of the crust, essentially lining the crust with the cream cheese mixture.
- Fill the crust/cream cheese mixture with the still-warm strawberries, mounding them up in the center of the pie.
- Chill the strawberry cream cheese pie for at least 2 hours, preferably 4 hours or more. The pie will be fine uncovered in the fridge for one night; after that tent it loosely with foil or plastic wrap.
- To serve, slice the pie straight from the fridge and enjoy cold or at room temp. Enjoy!
Strawberry cream cheese pie looks delicious
Oh my, this pie looks amazingly delicious! Plus it's my favorite Strawberry flavor! Loving this already!
Oh my, such a deliciously decadent pie!
this cream cheese pie was spectacular! so sweet and delicious!
Amazing pie. And so easy.
Who doesn't love a good pie! Absolutely delicious
Excellent pie! I added some stewed rhubarb and we enjoyed every crumb.
OMG this strawberry cream cheese pie makes the perfect summer dessert! It's so tasty and I love that it has lots of natural strawberries!
One word: delicious! I'm so glad it's strawberry season, this was the perfect dessert.
This strawberry cream cheese pie turned out amazing! So so tasty and so delicious for dessert!
Best strawberry pie I have made. Thanks for the recipe.
Helene, I'm so glad you like it!