Picture this: glossy, jewel-bright strawberries nestled in a flaky crust, glistening under a sweet, ruby-red glaze. That is the essence of Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie—a delightfully simple, no-bake dessert that captures the pure, sun-kissed flavor of ripe strawberries better than anything else I know. This pie is the ultimate celebration of strawberry season, with every juicy bite bursting with pure berry joy and nostalgia. Whether it’s for a summertime gathering or just because, you’ll fall head over heels for this easy, classic recipe.

Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie is how effortlessly its handful of ingredients work together, each one playing an essential role. Nothing complicated here—just pure, familiar flavors working overtime to make every bite sing with freshness and vibrant color!

Pre-baked 9-inch pie crust: Skip the oven and grab your favorite store-bought or homemade crust for a crisp, sturdy base that lets the strawberries shine.
Fresh strawberries (1 quart, about 4 cups): Choose sweet, ripe strawberries—these are the star, providing the juicy flavor and beautiful color that make this pie irresistible.
Granulated sugar (3/4 cup): Just enough to enhance and balance the natural tartness of the berries without overwhelming them.
Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): This is your secret weapon for a smooth, glossy glaze that thickens up perfectly around the berries.
Water (1/2 cup): Helps transform the glaze into a luscious pourable syrup.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): A hit of acidity brightens the glaze and complements the strawberries beautifully.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch, to amplify all the other vibrant flavors in the pie.
Strawberry gelatin (1 tablespoon, optional): For extra color and set, this ingredient helps the pie slice more cleanly but can be skipped if you prefer a softer, more rustic filling.
Whipped cream for topping (optional): The classic finishing touch—pillowy clouds of cream bring extra indulgence to every slice.

How to Make Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie

Step 1: Create the Strawberry Glaze

Start by mashing 1 cup of your strawberries in a medium saucepan with a fork or a potato masher. This step is key, as the mashed berries release their juices and flavor, forming the base of your glossy pie glaze. Add the sugar, cornstarch, water, lemon juice, and salt, and cook the mixture over medium heat while stirring constantly. You’ll know it’s ready when it thickens and turns beautifully clear, which usually takes 5 to 7 minutes. If you’d like a firmer pie with extra color, now’s the time to whisk in the optional strawberry gelatin until it dissolves completely.

Step 2: Cool the Glaze

Take your saucepan off the heat and let the strawberry glaze cool for a few minutes. You want it to still be pourable, but not so hot that it wilts the fresh berries. Cooling it slightly ensures your strawberries keep their shape and vibrant color in the finished pie.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

Arrange the rest of your strawberries—either halved or whole, depending on your preference—snugly in the pre-baked pie crust. Don’t worry about making it perfect; the more rustic, the better! Pour the cooled glaze over the berries, using a spatula to gently spread it so every strawberry is beautifully coated and glistening.

Step 4: Chill Until Set

Refrigerate your assembled Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie for at least 4 hours, or until the filling is set and sliceable. This chill time is what transforms the pie into that iconic, classic dessert—sliceable yet juicy, with a dreamy, cool texture perfect for hot days.

Step 5: Add Whipped Cream and Serve

Just before serving, add generous dollops of whipped cream for a luscious cloud-like finish. The combination of berries, buttery crust, and billowy cream will have everyone clamoring for seconds!

How to Serve Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie

Garnishes

For that extra bit of pizzazz, garnish each slice of Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie with a swirl of freshly whipped cream and a few mint leaves or extra strawberry slices. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of powdered sugar over the top adds a beautiful, sparkling touch.

Side Dishes

This refreshing strawberry pie shines on its own, but it also plays well alongside simple accompaniments. Try serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a crisp glass of lemonade, or even a handful of shortbread cookies for a truly dreamy, summery dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to turn Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie into a showstopper? Serve mini pies in individual tart shells for picnics or bake sales, or layer cubes of pie in clear glasses for a playful strawberry pie parfait. However you dish it up, the vivid color and irresistible flavor speak for themselves!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. It stays wonderfully fresh and juicy for up to 3 days. The crust may soften a little, but the flavors just keep getting better as they meld together.

Freezing

While you can technically freeze slices of the pie, the fresh strawberry texture may change once thawed—expect a softer, slightly watery texture. For best results, freeze slices individually on a baking sheet, then wrap tightly before storing in a freezer bag for up to one month.

Reheating

This pie is meant to be enjoyed chilled, straight from the refrigerator. If you do prefer your slice a little less cold, let it rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving, but don’t attempt to microwave it—the filling will lose its lovely set.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

You can use frozen strawberries in the glaze portion of the recipe, but for the pie’s filling, stick with fresh strawberries for the best texture and vibrant look. Frozen berries can become mushy and release too much liquid in the pie.

What’s the best way to hull strawberries quickly?

Use a small paring knife or a strawberry huller to gently remove the green tops and core. For a quick hack, you can also push a sturdy straw through the bottom of each berry to pop out the hull in one go!

Is the gelatin absolutely necessary?

Nope! The optional strawberry gelatin simply helps the filling set a little firmer and amps up the color, but the pie will still be delicious and sliceable without it—it just might be a bit more rustic and juicy.

What type Dessert

Any pre-baked 9-inch crust is great! A classic buttery pastry crust brings comfort-food nostalgia, but a graham cracker or vanilla wafer crust works beautifully for extra sweetness and crunch.

Can I make this pie a day ahead?

Absolutely—Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie is actually even tastier after a night in the fridge! The flavors mingle and meld, and the filling sets up perfectly for easy slicing the next day.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re excited to try making this Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie as much as I am to share it with you. It’s a nostalgic, luscious treat that combines simplicity with the unbeatable burst of summer strawberries. Give it a go, and let the smiles and berry-juice-stained lips speak for themselves!

Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes (plus chilling time)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Homemade Fresh Strawberry Pie is a delightful summer dessert that showcases the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries in a flaky pie crust with a glossy glaze. It’s a no-bake treat perfect for warm days.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie:

1 pre-baked 9-inch pie crust

Strawberry Filling:

1 quart (about 4 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon strawberry gelatin (optional, for extra color and set)

Topping:

Whipped cream for topping (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Glaze: In a medium saucepan, mash 1 cup of the strawberries with a fork or potato masher. Add the sugar, cornstarch, water, lemon juice, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes clear, about 5–7 minutes.
Add Gelatin (Optional): If using, stir in the strawberry gelatin until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Assemble the Pie: Arrange the remaining whole or halved strawberries in the pre-baked pie crust. Pour the glaze evenly over the strawberries, using a spatula to gently spread it if needed.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set. Serve chilled with whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

For the best flavor, use sweet, ripe strawberries at their peak.
The optional gelatin helps the pie hold together better when sliced but can be omitted.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake, Stovetop
Cuisine: American