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Slice of creamy strawberry pie with graham cracker crust and glaze on a plate next to a gold fork.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie


  • Author: Leslie Bennett
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus 4–6 hours chilling time)
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Strawberry cream cheese pie is a spectacular dessert that perfectly balances sweet and salty flavors. It features a unique graham cracker and pretzel crust, a rich, creamy baked cheesecake filling, and a glossy, fresh strawberry topping cooked to a luscious consistency. Perfect for summer gatherings, Easter brunches, and holiday dessert tables.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Graham Cracker Pretzel Crust:
6 oz (about 1½ cups) ground graham cracker crumbs
2 oz (about ½ cup) ground pretzel crumbs
8 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt

For the Cream Cheese Filling:
12 oz ( blocks) fully softened cream cheese
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup sour cream
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

For the Fresh Strawberry Topping:
16 oz (1 quart) ripe fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
to ½ cup granulated sugar (adjusted based on berry sweetness)
1 tbsp cornstarch
Pinch of salt


Instructions

1.Make the pie crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the pretzel crumbs, graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, ¼ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt. The mixture should resemble damp wet sand and hold together when squeezed. Press the mixture firmly up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate first, then distribute it evenly across the bottom. Pack it down tightly using a flat-bottomed measuring cup.
2.Prepare the filling: Preheat your oven to350°F (175°C) with a rack in the center. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened cream cheese and ¾ cup sugar until completely smooth (about 3 minutes). Add the sour cream, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat for 1 more minute until silky and uniform. Pour this filling into the prepared crust.
3.Bake the pie: Bake for45 to 55 minutes. It is done when the outer 2½ inches of the filling are slightly puffed and the center no longer jiggles excessively. Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool for at least15 minutes while you prepare the topping.
4.Make the strawberry topping and assemble: In a blender, puree ½ cup of the sliced strawberries with the lemon juice until completely smooth. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the ⅓ to ½ cup sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Stir in the strawberry puree and cook over medium-low heat until bubbling, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining sliced strawberries and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture returns to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
5.Assemble: Gently pour this warm topping over the warm pie and smooth it out. Let cool at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator to set up completely for 4 to 6 hours before serving.

Notes

Weigh Your Crumbs: For the most accurate crust, use a kitchen scale to measure the crumbs, as different brands yield different volumes and affect the butter ratio.
Warm Assembly is Key: Pouring the warm strawberry glaze over the warm cheesecake filling is crucial. This thermal interaction helps the layers fuse together and prevents the topping from sliding off when sliced.
Fresh Berries Only: Do not use frozen strawberries for the topping. They release excessive amounts of water, which prevents the cornstarch from thickening properly and results in a soggy, runny pie.
Storage: Store leftover pie covered tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to4 days. The flavors will actually meld and improve on the second day. You can safely assemble the entire pie one day ahead of time.Do not freeze, as the cream cheese filling and fresh fruit topping will separate and become watery upon thawing.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert / Pie
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: ~450
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg