Strawberry Cream Pie

Let me start by saying I don't normally eat pie. I don't really like fruit (I know. I've heard it for 43 years from my Mom.) But there is something about it that just doesn't appeal to me. So when someone serves pie for dessert I politely say no thank you. The only exceptions are Dutch Apple Pie (but only if it's made by my Mom or myself) and this amazing Strawberry Cream Pie.

But I have to make this pie very stategically. See, if I make this pie at the beginning of strawberry season I will end up making at least 4 of them... and eating them all! Seriously! So I wait until the season is almost over before I make the first one. Then I devour it and wait patiently until next year when I can eat another one. If you're wondering... "another one? She eats the entire pie herself?" The answer is a big, loud "HECK YES!"

So my kids and I went out to pick berries. I've only lived in the Pacific Northwest so I don't know what berries are like in other places, but here they are plentiful! And the strawberries are devine!


Here's what you'll need:

* pie shell (pre-cooked)

* 1 package of vanilla pudding

* whipping cream

* a little sugar

* strawberries

* strawberry glaze (we buy ours in the grocery store in the produce section. I'm sure you can make your own but heck, that would be hard and take more time) =o)

Make the vanilla pudding. Little helpers love this part!

One of the reason I don't like pie is because of the pie crust. My Mom makes a pie crust from heaven. But again, that's a lot of work. I found Marie Callender's pies in the freezer section at the grocery store. They are almost as good as my Mom's. If I couldn't buy this particular brand, I would end up making my own. It's that good!

Make the whipping cream. You can always buy store bought whipping cream but I think it tastes wierd and kind of plasticy. (Have I mentioned I'm a little picky when it comes to my desserts?!?!) So I whip it myself. Don't forget to add a little bit of sugar to sweeten it up a bit.

Now fold the whipping cream in with the pudding. It's up to you how much you want to add. The more you add (the better it tastes, I think) but the pudding won't be super firm so when you cut it, it kind of plops over. But it tastes oh so delicious!

Pour it into your pre-baked and cool pie crust. You probably won't use it all, depending on how much whipping cream you added.

Now pile it high with strawberries. You can either slice them or leave them whole. I slice up the giant ones but it looks pretty when there are whole berries on it, don't you think?

Now drizzle the glaze over the berries.

It's that simple!

And remember when I said you would have leftover pudding/whipping cream mixture? For some reason I didn't have a problem getting rid of it.

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