👩🍳 Instructions: 5 Easy Steps to Perfection
Step 1: Prep the Crust and Berries
- Ensure your 9-inch pie crust is fully baked and cooled completely before starting the filling. If the crust is warm, the filling may not set properly.
- Wash, hull, and dry your fresh strawberries. Slice larger berries in half or quarters.
- Gently arrange about 3 cups of the prepared strawberries into the cooled pie crust. Pile them high, reserving the remaining 1 cup for the glaze mixture.
Step 2: Cook the Glaze Base
- In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly.
- Continue to whisk and boil for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture has visibly thickened and becomes clear and translucent. It should coat the back of a spoon.
Step 3: Add the Gelatin
- Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately.
- Whisk in the full package of strawberry gelatin until it is completely dissolved. If using, whisk in the vanilla extract or lemon juice now.
- Crucial Tip: Allow the glaze to cool for about 10-15 minutes. It should be slightly warm but not hot. Pouring boiling glaze over the fresh berries will cook them and make them mushy.
Step 4: Mix and Assemble the Pie
- In a large bowl, gently combine the reserved 1 cup of sliced strawberries with the slightly cooled glaze mixture. This ensures a nice strawberry-to-glaze ratio and adds more fresh berry flavor to the set filling.
- Carefully pour the entire strawberry-glaze mixture over the strawberries already arranged in the cooled pie crust. Use a spoon to gently spread the glaze, ensuring it seeps down between all the berries.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
- Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours, or until the glaze is completely set. The pie should be firm to the touch.
- Once set, slice and serve. Top each slice with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream or whipped topping for the authentic Big Boy experience!
💡 Pro Baker's Tips for Success
- The Right Berries: Use firm, ripe, and sweet strawberries. Overripe or soft berries will become watery and can impact the set of the pie.
- Keep it Cool: The biggest mistake is pouring a hot glaze. Make sure the glaze has cooled slightly (as instructed in Step 3) before pouring it into the crust to prevent a soggy crust and mushy fruit.
- Soggy Crust Prevention: For extra insurance against a soggy bottom, before baking your pie crust, brush the inside with a little beaten egg white and then bake as directed. This creates a moisture barrier!
- Make-Ahead Magic: This pie is perfect for making ahead! It needs the chill time, so prepare it the night before an event for the best set. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Enjoy this truly classic American diner dessert!
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