Fresh strawberry pie is perfect for the season’s gorgeous berries. It’s the perfect pie for spring or summer, with a creamy, not-to-sweet, filling, mounds of fresh berries and a homemade glaze.
(This post was originally published on July 30th, 2012 and has been updated to contain nutritional information. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
Just a few simple ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need a pre-baked pie crust. Either homemade or store-bought. I use this recipe here for one minute pie dough. I used half 1/2 of the recipe, and added one teaspoon sugar.
If you’re planning on baking more, you could make a full recipe and use the leftover dough for these mini Jam Tarts. Since this is a recipe from the 50s, I decided to decorate my edges with circles, which have kind of a vintage flair. You can use pretty pie cutters like these, or just the bottom of a piping tip like I did.
Next you’ll need 2 full pounds of fresh strawberries. Frozen won’t do! Some will be used for the glaze, some for the top, and some will be sliced.
The filling is cream cheese and sour cream which is a delicious counterpoint to the sweet berries and glaze. The filling is not sweetened, which means it’s not overly sweet.
Unlike store-bought strawberry glazes, this glaze does not contain artificial coloring, flavoring or HFC. It’s simple berries, sugar and water. (You can even substitute the sugar for swerve if you’re watching your sugar intake). It’ll be a little bit chunky, when it’s done.
I’ve adapted the recipe slightly for modern measurements. The original recipe called the filling, “Bavarian Cream“, which it is not.
A vintage recipe from the 50s
The recipe comes from the book, Thoughts for Buffets, which was published in 1958. These books were intended for the “woman who is both home-maker and hostess.” Both were given to my mom, who was a young wife, “home-maker” and hostess, in the early 60’s by my aunt, and signified a time when America was changing both culturally and gastronomically.
That the ‘authors” would write an introduction aimed exclusively towards women seems preposterous today, in an age where men are just as likely to whip up something in the kitchen as their wives, and in many cases, enjoy it more! I just checked to see if the book is still available…you can get the original first edition for just $900! Yikes! I wish mine were in better shape!
The book is dog-earred where mom has turned down pages, and the pages are grease spattered and stained.
This fresh strawberry pie recipe has withstood the test of time and seems just as fresh and current today, as it must have 50 years ago.
How to make strawberry pie
Make the glaze. It’s just a few chopped berries, sugar and water.
When the glaze is done, it will be thick, glossy and red.
Let the glaze cool about 10 minutes before pouring it over the pie. While the glaze is cooling, finish hulling the berries.
Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bottom of a pre-baked pie crust. I use a glass pie dish.
Then slice some of the berries, (about 1 cup), and place over the filling.
Next, top pie with remaining hulled strawberries.
Finally, pour, brush or spoon the glaze over the berries. These are the pastry brushes I use.
Chill for at least one hour. You’ll get prettier looking slices the longer it chills.
Should strawberry pie be refrigerated?
Yes! This pie contains cream cheese and sour cream, so it should be chilled before serving and kept in the fridge after serving.
I hope you enjoy this vintage recipe for strawberry pie!
Strawberry Pie
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 5 Tablespoons sour cream
Strawberry Glaze
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Finishing the strawberry pie
- 1 pre-baked 9" pie crust either homemade or store-bought
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries washed, hulled and divided
Instructions
- Pre-bake a pie shell until golden brown. Cool.
- Meanwhile Beat together the cream cheese and sour cream together in a mixer.
- Spread over the baked pie shell.
- Wash and hull strawberries. Reserve one pound for the top, 1 cup for the glaze and 1 cup sliced to put on top of the filling.
Glaze
- Chop a few berries to measure 1 cup. Place in a saucepan with water and simmer over a medium low heat for 5 minutes.
- Combine sugar and cornstarch. Add cornstarch and sugar mixture to cooked fruit continue cooking, stirring constantly, until syrup is thick and clear, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and cool about 10 minutes.
- Spread cream cheese mixture over cooled pie shell.
- Arrange 1 cup sliced berries on the cream cheese mixture.
- Arrange remaining whole berries over the top of the sliced berries.
- Spoon cooked strawberry syrup over fresh berries.
- Chill 1 hour or longer.
Notes
Nutrition
Looking for more strawberry recipes?
Strawberry fool
Del's cooking twist says
Hi Cynthia! Thank you for sharing your beautiful strawberry pie to my Fruit pie party. Here’s the link to the party with all the recipes. Enjoy! http://www.delscookingtwist.com/2014/04/22/fruit-pie-party-with-a-twist/
Cynthia says
Thank you Del!
dina says
this looks delicious!
Cynthia says
Thanks Dina!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I saw this on Pinterest and yes my first thought was ‘she made my pie!’ but only because I took a very old recipe from a 1970’s version of Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and added a layer of whipped cream cheese between the crust and berries; initially as a way to preserve the crust which gets very soggy without it. Of course we now love the flavor and it has to be included and you are one person who knows why; that tang adds a great balance to the sweetness of the berries.
Still such a favorite and now that fresh berries are showing up in abundance; one that will be made more then once in the coming weeks!
Cynthia says
Haha Barbara! My mom started making this pie from a cookbook she got in ’58 or ’59. It’s a delicious recipe! I’m sure yours is fantastic too!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
I just LOVE old cookbooks. I go to a used bookstore some times just to see what kind of gems I can find. 🙂 This strawberry pie looks great! Don’t know about the chop suey though 🙂
Cynthia says
Me too Des! The pie is fantastic, but you’re right…not sure about the chop suey! haha!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Cynthia – so fun your mom and Sophie baked this gorgeous pie. My passion is totally baking. (So let’s open a little cafe. You do savory, I’ll do sweet.) Ok, loving this pretty strawberry pie!
Cynthia says
Perfect! I like that idea Allie!
Gisele aka LA2LAChef says
My Mom made this pie (or one very close to it), too. It was a favorite of my uncle’s, her older brother. She made it once or twice on his birthday. They died only within 7 months of each other. I valiantly tried to find her recipe to make for him after she left us, but couldn’t find it. Thanks for sharing.
Lorinda - The Rowdy Baker says
I’m so impressed by this recipe – can’t wait to give it a go, especially that pie crust!
Cynthia says
Thanks Linda! Let me know how you like it!
Julie M. says
This is a great pie! Love that it is made from no prepackaged ingredients and all from scratch! The family devoured it!
Cynthia says
Thank you Julie! So glad your family enjoyed it!
veenaazmanov says
Strawberry is such an amazing seasonal fruit. Your Pie looks amazing. Love the Glaze too. Cant wait to try one soon.
Cynthia says
Thank you Veena! It’s a keeper!
Jamie says
I can’t wait until it’s summer here so I can make this with our local strawberries! This looks amazing and love the vibrant color!
Beth says
Yummy! My daughter is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try! Looks so yummy and very delicious!
Jo says
This strawberry pie is fantastic! We’ll be making this again.
Berlin Domingo-Maynigo says
this is very timely because husband just came home from the grocery with strawberries. now i know where to use those strawberries.
proseccobefore7 says
OMG! this looks like an amazing easy recipe. I am receiving strawberries with my shopping order today, it is probable the sign to make this pie. Thank you for sharing.
Beth Sachs says
A real taste of summer. We all love this strawberry pie!
Cristina Petrini says
The pie is the best fruit cake that exists and with strawberries, yum speaks of spring!
Melissa Cushing says
Girl you had me at strawberry! I absolutely love strawberries and this pie looks amazing. I am definitley making this one so thank you for sharing! Heading to pin this one now 🙂
Cynthia says
thank you!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
This sounds so good. I’ve not made one of these in years. I need to try your version it looks great.
Jennifer Passmore says
Ooh, now you have me wanting to go to the store and grab some strawberries! This pie looks SO delicious, and it would make the perfect summer treat!
Sondra says
The pie looks amazing. I am definitely going to try out this recipe!
Catherine says
What a beautiful and easy dessert for the warmer weather. I love strawberry tarts and I’m so happy they are in season again.
Cynthia says
We’re growing strawberries this year. It’s definitely close to berry season!
Yeah Lifestyle says
Definitely book marking your post as it won’t be long before strawberries are in season here and I would love to give that pie a go. Looks absolutely delicious!
Cynthia says
Let me know how you like it!
Everything Enchanting says
Honestly speaking, I don’t like strawberries at all! But your strawberry pie is looking so yummy & pretty, I feel like I am gonna love this for sure Thanks for sharing this beautiful vintage recipe from 50’s ❤️
Anosa says
The strawberry piece looks absolutely perfect, I can not wait to recreate it this summer. I do love easy recipes like these.
Cynthia says
Thank you Anosa!
Melanie says
There’s a reason recipes like this have withstood the rest of time! It’s a classic because it’s so delicious. I can’t wait to try your strawberry pie.
Cynthia says
Exactly! Timeless!