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This Fresh Strawberry Pie is one of the best ways to show off those sweet summer strawberries. This recipe is made without jello and pairs the strawberries with a pretzel-pecan crust for a slice of pie inspired by strawberry-pretzel salad.
If you’ve been following My Baking Addiction for any length of time, you’re probably well aware of the fact that I don’t post many pies around here. Pie crust just isn’t my thing even though I kind of really wish it was.
But if I can skip the typical pie crust and sub in a shortbread cookie crust (like in my coconut cream pie) or a delicious crust loaded with pretzels, pecans and graham cracker crumbs, I’m all in.
This no-bake Fresh Strawberry Pie is bursting with gorgeous summer strawberries and is sure to quickly become your new go-to summer dessert!
STRAWBERRY PIE WITHOUT JELLO
When I shared my No-Bake Frozen Cheesecake with you, I told you how I paired it with a crust made from graham crackers, pretzels and pecans inspired by Strawberry Pretzel Salad.
Of course that made me wonder how that crust would be on a strawberry pie. And when an idea like that gets in my head, it won’t leave until I make it happen.
Even though my Strawberry Pretzel Salad uses jello, I wanted to try to make a strawberry pie without any gelatin in it. I know not everyone is able to eat jello and I figured I could work out a way to make a pie that sets well without it.
Instead of using jello to set the pie, my Fresh Strawberry Pie filling uses:
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup boiling water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
That’s right, there are 2 full pounds of strawberries in this pie! I don’t joke around when it comes to fresh summer strawberries, ok?
HOW TO MAKE THIS FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE
This Fresh Strawberry Pie is completely no bake. Even the crust!
Start by mixing together graham cracker crumbs, coarsely chopped pretzels, chopped pecans, granulated sugar, and melted butter for the crust. Press that into the bottom and part way up the sides of a springform pan.
The first time I made this pie, I put it in a regular pie plate. But getting a clean slice out was really hard, so I gave it a try in the springform pan. Trust me, it’s much easier to cut and serve this way!
I like to pop the crust in the fridge to chill while I make the filling.
To make the filling, puree 1 ½ cups of the fresh strawberries in a blender or food processor. Add the boiling water, cornstarch, and sugar and puree until smooth.
Add this mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil it for 3 minutes and don’t stop stirring it!
After it has boiled for 3 minutes, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let it rest for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the strawberries.
Stir the strawberries into the glaze and immediately pour this into the crust. Chill the pie for 2 hours before removing the outer ring of the springform pan, cutting and serving with homemade whipped cream.
TIPS FOR MAKING THIS PIE
I have made this pie a few times now, so I have a few tips and tricks to share:
- If you don’t want to use the pretzel crust, use a graham cracker crust instead. I love the sweet-salty combo of the pie filling with the pretzel crust, but it’ll still be delicious with a more traditional graham cracker crust!
- Press the crust into the pan with the bottom of a measuring cup. Using the flat bottom of measuring cup will help you really get the crust packed in tightly and will help make it more even than if you used your hands.
- Look for smaller strawberries. Smaller strawberries are often sweeter and will be easier to prep for this pie. If you can only find large strawberries, I would cut them into quarters or even eighths so the pie is easier to cut and serve later.
- Don’t skip the boiling water. This recipe calls for boiling water for a reason! I tried making it without boiling the water first and it didn’t set as well. I couldn’t tell you the science behind it. All I can say is that I’ve tested it multiple times and this is what works for me.
CAN THIS RECIPE BE MADE AHEAD?
Fresh Strawberry Pie really needs to be eaten the same day it is made. Once it sets, you can wait a few hours before slicing it, but it’s best to serve it within several hours. Otherwise, the strawberries start to weep.
The leftovers will still taste good the next day, but the texture won’t be as nice.
You will also need to keep this pie chilled until serving it and you cannot freeze it for later.
If you’re looking for a pie that uses your summer berries and can be made the day before, check out this baked strawberry pie.
Consider this recipe to be one of those rare treats you make when strawberries are at their peak. It’ll be worth it!
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup coarsely chopped pretzels
- ½ cup pecans coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For the Filling:
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries tops removed, divided use
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup boiling water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the crust:
- In a medium bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, chopped pretzels, pecans, and sugar. Stir in the melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom and ½ inch up the sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Set in the refrigerator to chill while preparing the filling.
Prepare the filling:
- Place 1 ½ cups of the berries into the bowl of a food processor or blender and puree. Add the sugar, boiling water, and cornstarch and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the mixture starts to boil, continue to boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture will be very thick and should become less cloudy and more jam-like as it cooks.
- After 3 minutes, remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and allow the glaze to cool while you prepare the rest of the strawberries.
- Cut the remaining strawberries depending on their size – cut very large berries into eighths, and smaller berries into quarters or halves. (See note)
- Stir the cut strawberries into the glaze and pour into the prepared crust. If desired, arrange the strawberries cut-side down.
- Chill the pie for 2 hours, until the glaze has set.
- Keep the pie chilled until ready to serve. Pie is best served the same day it is made. Serve with fresh whipped cream.
Notes
- Makes 1 9-inch pie.
- You can leave berries whole or in larger pieces, but the pie will be harder to cut and eat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for sharing the fresh strawberry pie. The crust is so delicious. It brings out the strawberry flavor.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the pie, Joan! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback! Happy baking –
Jamie
This was excellent! My husband loved it and continued to eat after 3 days. The crust never got soggy. He now wants me to make this with peaches!
So happy you and your husband loved this, Denny! Thanks so much for stopping by to share your feedback! Happy baking –
Jamie
I’ve made this pie a couple of times within the past two weeks! Super yummy! I did one thing differently and baked the crust instead of setting it in the fridge and it turned out amazing! It allows the pie to last a bit longer in the fridge as well and not get soggy! I did 8-10 mins at 350!
So glad you have loved this pie, Cortani! Thank you so much for stopping by to share your feedback! Happy baking –
-Jamie
@Cortani Wilson, I was wondering about doing this too! Now I will. Plus, it probably gave it even more of a “toasted” flavor. Making it today!
I just made this Strawberry Pie for a Father’s Day dessert. It IS AWESOME!!!!!! All Gone already, so I will be making another one tomorrow! Thank You so very much for this recipe!!!!
So glad you loved the pie and happy to hear it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your feedback!
-Jamie
Why do you need to add boiling water to the mixture if you are going to be bringing it to a boil anyway? Only curious!! Thanks!
Hi Teresa – I tested it without using boiling water but found that the mixture was still a bit grainy. Starting with boiling water really helps the sugar to fully dissolve so you get a super smooth filling! Hope this helps –
Jamie
Wow totally scrumptious!! Made this pie and brought 1/2 into work and EVERYONE, I mean EVERYONE raved about it and asked for the recipe. Thank you for this deliciousness!
So glad you loved the pie, Nichol! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback! Happy baking –
Jamie
Love this crust! I grew up eating strawberry pretzel salad, but don’t love the cool whip or jello components as an adult. I made this as an alternative, and added a layer of sweetened cream cheese (2 tbsp powdered sugar with 8pm cream cheese) between crust and strawberry glaze. Super delicious!
Love the idea of a cream cheese layer! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your feedback! Happy baking –
Jamie
@Megan Smith, Totally love this idea too. Going to make this today. Another viewer baked the crust a bit. I’m going to combine all three of these ideas and really think it will come out AMAZING!!
Substitute for the butter for vegans? I’m not but some of my family is ( no shade given , I just like to know BOTH ways for my recipe book , when it calls for me to make it )
Hi Michelle – You should be able to use vegan butter (such as Earth Balance) just fine in this recipe. Hope this helps! Happy baking!
-Jamie
@Michelle Preston, I subbed coconut oil for butter and really liked the flavor
I have made a similar strawberry pie using shortbread cookies for the crust. I used Walker’s cookies because they are the best I could find. It’s my “strawberry shortcake” pie in honor of my mom who always wanted strawberry shortcake for her birthday. I can’t wait to try this pretzel crust too this upcoming strawberry season.
That sounds delicious! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Happy baking!
-Jamie
@Theodora, OMG!!! I LOVE WALKER’S COOKIES. Never thought about using them as a crust!!! Do you just crush them and add melted butter to it?
How long will this keep in the fridge if made ahead?
Hi Sarah-
This pie is best served the same day it it made, but will last a day or so in the fridge.
-Jamie
@Jamie,
It’s too bad cookie crusts get soggy pretty quickly. When that happens I just scoop out the filling and put it in a parfait class with whipped cream and sometimes a drizzle of chocolate ganache.