Italian Cream Pie With Strawberry Sauce

This recipe was the winner of the Splenda Pure Magic Award at the 42nd Pillsbury Bake-Off. Recipe by Jean Gottfried.

• Ready In: 1 hr 1 min
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  refrigerated pie crust, softened as directed on box (from 15-oz box)

• Filling

• 1  cup skim milk
• 1 (1/4ounce) package unflavored gelatin
• 1⁄4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking
• 1 1⁄2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese (12 oz)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup  frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
• 2 (6 ounce) containers  yoplait light non-fat vanilla yogurt

• Strawberry Sauce

• 1⁄4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 (10 ounce) bag frozen whole strawberries, thawed
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450°F.
2. Unroll pie crust and place in 8- or 9-inch spring form pan, pressing crust up side of pan to top edge.
3. Prick bottom and side of crust with fork.
4. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
6. In a 1-quart saucepan, place 1/2 cup of the milk.
7. Sprinkle gelatin over milk; let stand 5 minutes to soften.
8. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk and 1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking.
9. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, until gelatin is completely dissolved (do not boil).
10. Pour milk mixture into blender.
11. Add ricotta cheese and vanilla, cover and blend until pureed.
12. Pour into large bowl and stir in whipped topping and yogurt.
13. Remove side of pan, remove crust from pan and place crust on serving plate.
14. To create collar for crust, wrap piece of string around outside of crust to measure; cut sheet of waxed paper length of string plus 3 inches.
15. Fold waxed paper in half lengthwise then fold in half again.
16. Wrap around outside of crust and staple collar together to secure around crust.
17. Pour filling into cooled baked crust.
18. Refrigerate until set, about 2 to 3 hours.
19. In 1 1/2-quart saucepan, mix 1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking and the cornstarch.
20. Stir in thawed strawberries.
21. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
22. Remove from heat.
23. Stir in lemon juice.
24. Refrigerate until serving time.
25. To serve, remove waxed paper collar.
26. Cut into wedges and place on individual dessert plates.
27. Top servings with strawberry sauce.
28. Store dessert and sauce in refrigerator.