Strawberry Glazed Pie

Five cups of fresh strawberries go into this pie, and you can taste every one. Whole berries fill a pre-baked shell, then a glossy homemade glaze made from crushed strawberries cooked with sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice gets spooned over the top and chilled until set.

Using real crushed berries for the glaze instead of strawberry Jello is what makes this taste like actual fruit instead of candy. The glaze cooks in minutes on the stovetop (or in the microwave) and sets up shiny and translucent, coating each berry in a glistening layer.

The lemon juice added after cooking brightens the strawberry flavor and keeps the glaze from tasting flat. Let it cool before spooning over the berries so it clings to the fruit rather than pooling in the bottom of the shell.

Kitchen Tips

• Drain the washed berries thoroughly. Any water on the fruit will dilute the glaze and prevent it from setting properly.
• Arrange the whole berries pointed end up in the shell for the most attractive presentation.
• Stir constantly while the glaze heats. Cornstarch scorches easily and creates lumps if left unattended.
• Chill until the glaze is fully set before adding whipped cream. Soft glaze slides off when you cut slices.

Variations

• Make this in a meringue shell instead of a pastry shell for a lighter, crunchier base.
• Add a thin layer of cream cheese sweetened with powdered sugar on the bottom of the shell before adding the berries.
• Use a mix of strawberries and sliced peaches for a summer fruit combination.