Noodle's Fresh Strawberry Pie

Submitted by skat5762

"I was slightly alarmed to discover that most of the strawberry pie recipes here require the use of Jell-O, or some such thing. This is an exception. Recipe from 'Noodle', from the FineCooking Cook's Talk Forum, and is completely fabulous."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• Crust

• 1 1⁄2 cups crushed shortbread cookies
• 1⁄4 cup finely chopped blanched almond (I've never bothered to blanch)
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted

• Filling

• 2 1⁄2 lbs fresh strawberries, approximately
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1⁄3 cup water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract

directions

1. For the crust: Mix together all ingredients (I use the food processor), press on bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate, and bake at 350-degrees for 8 minutes, or until crust is golden: cool completely.
2. For the filling: Mash enough strawberries to equal 1 cup.
3. Slice remaining strawberries, place in bowl, and sprinkle with sugar.
4. Combine sugar, cornstarch, water and mashed strawberries in a heavy bottomed pot.
5. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and boils.
6. Boil 1 minute.
7. Remove from heat and add salt and almond extract.
8. Cool 10 minutes.
9. Fill cooled crust with remaining, sliced strawberries.
10. Pour cooked mixture over strawberries.
11. Refrigerate at least 3 hours, or until set.
12. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.
13. Note: This is also good with peaches or blueberries- and I have subbed chocolate wafers for the shortbread cookies.
14. Sometimes, if I'm feeling citrusy, I omit the almond extract and add some grated orange or lemon zest.

Reviews

[ciao4293]

This was very easy to make, and the fresh taste of the fruit really shines in this pie. I didn't have the shortbread cookies, so I used graham cracker crumbs and walnuts. Delicious! Thanks for the recommendation, s'kat!

 

[Basilicious]

I made this earlier this summer, really yummy pie (also found it at Cooks Talk) I'd definitely make it again. Delicious, and fairly easy to make too.

 

[waynejohn1234]

This is the only strawberry pie I make - much prefer it to the one with jello. Such a fresh taste and the sugar can be reduced a lot (which I do). Nor do i sprinkle the strawberries with sugar because it isn t necessary. Have never used a sugar substitute so cannot comment. We try to cut back on sugar whenever possible but this does not detract from the recipe which is always wonderful. As an extra comment, have flavored the strawberries with some orange liqueur. Just sprinkled them prior to putting on the topping.

 

[Andi Longmeadow Farm]

Oh boy, oh boy! This is gorgeous. I HAD to take a picture, just because of the lush red color this pie produces. I am not a pie maker, but when I do this decadent treat, I do want to make it as close to being natural as this recipe is. Came together beautifully, the smell wafting through the house and surrounding farm; heavenly. This is what I'm looking for, a true winner. I only added more sugar (1/2 cup additional), as our strawberries on the farm are still a bit tart, and instead of almond extract, I added grenadine syrup, just for that little hint of "something?". I also used a graham cracker crust, as this is all I had on the "fly". Terrific! Hope others will use this, couldn't be easier. Thanks, s'kat.