Saturday, September 26, 2015

Strawberry Cream Pie with Pretzel Crust - 52 Cakes and Pies at Home


Wow do I love this pie.

Fair warning, there are several small parts to this whole that may sound complicated (tempering egg to add to a pudding, puree the berries, scratch pudding even).  But, take them one at a time and it is just a series of easy steps to come up with this amazing whole.

And one more fair warning, this is a simple mix and dump pie BUT it does take some time.  Mostly that time is spent in the fridge chilling between steps, but it will take a few hours before you can serve.

But, as I said, this is AMAZING and well worth the time.

The crust is a combination sweet and salty pretzel crust.  Easy to make that adds a salty flavor to a very sweet pie.  Also adds a crunchy texture.

The center filling is similar to a cheesecake egg pudding type fill.  But far more creamy.  It is also cooked stove top instead of baked.  Actually closer to a pudding than the cheese cake.

The topping is a puree of strawberries and sugar, poured over that beautiful strawberry arrangement.

It is also rich with flavor that combines with the sweet/salty crust, the smooth eggy creamy center to form not only one of the most dramatically beautiful pies but one of the loveliest bites imaginable.

This is the pie that will impress!  Perfect for any large gathering, Church PotLuck, big family gathering, holiday occasions or neighborhood pass a plate social.

ENJOY indeed!


 OK... Here's what I did...


Strawberry Cream Pie with Pretzel Crust


Ingredients
  • FOR THE PRETZEL CRUST
  • 1 Cup Crushed Pretzels
  • 1 Cup Crushed Vanilla Wafers
  • 1/2 Cup (1 Stick) Melted Butter
  • FOR THE CREAM PIE FILLING
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 3 TBS Corenstarch
  • 3 TBS Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 CUps Half and Half
  • 1 Large Egg, whisked
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp Almond Extract
  • 1/2 Cup Whipped Cream, whipped
  • FOR THE GLAZE
  • 1/2 Cup Crushed Strawberries
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 2 tsp Cornstarch
  • 3 Cup Fresh Strawberries, tops removed and cut in half
Cooking Directions
  1. FOR THE PRETZEL CRUST - Something Salty (like ground up Pretzels, put them in a zip lock bag, use a rolling pin (or in this case I used a Mason Jar filled with Coco (couldn't find a rolling pin... long story))
  2. added to something Sweet (like ground up Vanilla Wafers)
  3. Break up any larger pieces
  4. Mix in melted butter to help form a solid crust
  5. Press everything into a crust form pie shell
  6. Bake... It's called Blind Baking to bake a pie crust and then add a filling (Like a Banana Cream Pie)... Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes
  7. FOR THE CREAM PIE FILLING - While the pie crust is blind baking, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. In a pot, combine the dry mix with the Half and Half and heat over medium heat. Stir continuously until thickened and begins to bubble (about 10 minutes). Cook an additional 2 minutes and remove from heat.
  8. Temper the egg. while whisking the egg, add 1 TBS of the thickened pudding and whisk. Add another 2 TBS and continue to whisk. Add 3 TBS and whisk. Now add the egg mix to the thickened pudding and whisk until combined.
  9. Add the vanilla and almond and whisk one last time.
  10. Cool to room temperature. While the pudding is cooling, whisk the heavy cream until stiff peaks appear. When the pudding has cooled, fold the whipped cream into the pudding.
  11. Pour into pie shell and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
  12. FOR THE GLAZE - About 2 hours before serving, prepare glaze. Combine crushed strawberries and water in a large saucepan; cook for 2 minutes. Combine sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir into the berries. Cook until thick and clear, stirring constantly. After 10 minutes, I used a hand wand mixer (or in a blender) to puree the mix. Continue to cook for a couple of minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.
  13. Meanwhile, arrange berry halves over filling; pour glaze evenly over berries. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  14. Serve Chilled and ENJOY!

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to my Growing List of Cakes and Pies
Recipes you can DIY at Home
This simple recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Cakes and Pies at Home"!

These are the desserts you make for your family.  No fancy amazing wedding cakes, just the rustic beauty of the classics.  From pumpkin pie to cheesecakes to layer cakes, these are what your family craves for dessert.  You may even see a few unusual crusts and frosting ideas to try.

You get the idea. These recipes are simple, delicious and will have your family wanting dessert first...

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to my list of HUNDREDS of recipes
For any big Gathering
This recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Church PotLuck Dishes"!

A list of something NEW worthy of being shown off at a neighborhood BYODish (Bring Your Own Dish) Party, a Family special occasion dinner, Any Big Holiday Gathering or of course that glorious day when you bring a dish to share with your Church family...

Ages ago, literally almost a half century ago I was listening to our pastor talking about a PotLuck Dinner. It happened to be scheduled around a church work day when we were expected to weed, polish and do general cleaning and maintenance around the church (you know, back in the day when there were no no-wax floors and church pews smelled of Old English furniture polish). I am of course paraphrasing, but as I recall the pastor said,

"A potluck, like a church requires work. At a potluck everyone is expected to contribute.. At a church no one should come empty handed and no one should leave unfed".
I will confess that in my youth I brought more store bought plastic spoons and forks than I ever brought covered dishes and crock pots of fresh made love and caring delights. But now that I have become a hobbyist cook, I occasionally am reminded of those days and people from my youth. I reminded and I do wish that I could drop a dish of some new creation on those old tables at my fondly remembered Liberty Baptist Church.  Tables covered with newspapers and loaded with God's bounty prepared with love and caring... Enjoy

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