Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie is a cool, creamy, and delicious dessert that’s incredibly easy to make. This freezer pie is perfect for summer or any occasion when you want a refreshing treat. Made with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and pureed strawberries, it’s luscious and sweet with a perfect balance of flavors. The pie can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer until ready to serve, making it convenient for holidays or casual get-togethers.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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1 nine-inch graham cracker crust (deep dish pie plate)
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1 cup whipping cream (chilled)
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4 ounces cream cheese (chilled)
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1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (well chilled)
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1 1/2 cups pureed frozen strawberries in syrup (thawed and chilled) or fresh strawberries pureed with 1/4 cup sugar and chilled
Directions
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Make sure all ingredients and the pie shell are well chilled before starting.
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Whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Set it in the refrigerator to keep cold.
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Whip the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the sweetened condensed milk and the pureed strawberries.
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Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
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Pour the filling into the chilled graham cracker crust. The filling should mound slightly over the top if the ingredients are cold and you work quickly.
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Immediately place the pie in the freezer to set. Freeze for at least four hours or longer.
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Remove the pie about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly for easier slicing. Cover leftovers with foil or plastic wrap and keep frozen for up to a week.
Nutritional Value (per slice)
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Calories: ~320 kcal
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Protein: 5 g
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Fat: 15 g
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Saturated Fat: 9 g
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Carbohydrates: 40 g
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Sugars: 30 g
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Dietary Fiber: 1 g
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Cholesterol: 50 mg
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Sodium: 210 mg
This estimate considers the graham cracker crust, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, whipping cream, and strawberries. Exact values can vary based on brands and specific ingredient amounts.
Why Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie Is a Must-Have in Your Dessert Repertoire
Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie stands out for its balance of flavors and textures. The crisp, slightly sweet graham cracker crust forms a sturdy base, contrasting beautifully with the soft, airy filling. The richness of cream cheese and whipped cream combined with the smooth, sweetened condensed milk forms a luscious custard-like consistency that freezes well without becoming icy or hard.
The strawberry puree provides a natural fruitiness and subtle tartness, which cuts through the creaminess, keeping each bite light and refreshing rather than overly rich. This makes the pie perfect for those who enjoy fruit-forward desserts that don’t feel too heavy or sugary.
Another reason this dessert is beloved is its convenience. Because it’s made ahead and stored in the freezer, it’s perfect for meal prepping or planning ahead for parties. You can prepare the pie a day or two before your event, freeing up oven space and time on the day of. This ease of preparation makes it ideal for busy hosts who want to impress without stress.
The Role of Each Ingredient in Creating the Perfect Pie
The graham cracker crust is a classic choice that brings a buttery crunch and slightly sweet flavor, forming the perfect foundation for the creamy filling. Its deep dish form holds the filling securely, making slicing and serving neat and simple.
Cream cheese contributes a tangy richness and velvety texture that complements the sweetness of the condensed milk and strawberries. Whipping cream adds lightness and volume to the filling, turning it into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture that’s neither too dense nor too runny.
Sweetened condensed milk is key to adding sweetness and creaminess without the need for granulated sugar. It blends seamlessly with the cream cheese and strawberries, helping to create that smooth, luscious consistency that freezes beautifully.
The strawberries, whether frozen and pureed or fresh with a bit of added sugar, bring natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a hint of tartness. This freshness is vital in balancing the richness of the cream and the sweetness of the condensed milk, ensuring the pie remains bright and refreshing rather than overly heavy.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of occasions. It’s a standout dessert at summer barbecues and picnics, where its cool temperature and fruity flavor provide a welcome contrast to grilled meats and savory sides. It’s equally fitting for holiday meals like Easter or Mother’s Day, adding a festive splash of pink to the dessert table.
Because it can be made well in advance, it’s an excellent option for potlucks, birthdays, and casual get-togethers, where you want a show-stopping dessert but may not have hours to spend in the kitchen. The pie’s crowd-pleasing nature means it’s usually one of the first dishes to disappear.
Tips for Serving and Storing
To achieve the best texture and flavor, it’s important to serve the pie after allowing it to soften at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This brief thaw makes the pie easier to slice and enhances its creamy mouthfeel, so each bite is perfectly smooth rather than icy or hard.
Leftovers can be stored in the freezer, well covered with foil or plastic wrap, for up to a week. This makes it easy to enjoy a slice or two as needed without the pie losing quality or texture.
When serving, you can dress up the pie with fresh strawberry slices, a dollop of whipped cream, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to add a touch of elegance. Some like to drizzle a bit of strawberry syrup or melted chocolate for an extra indulgent finish.
Nutritional Overview: Indulgence with Some Balance
While this pie is undeniably indulgent, it offers some nutritional benefits due to its use of real strawberries and moderate protein from cream cheese and whipping cream. With approximately 320 calories per slice, it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Each slice contains 5 grams of protein, contributing to satiety and helping balance blood sugar levels. The fat content (15 grams) mainly comes from the cream cheese and whipping cream, providing the creamy texture that makes the dessert so satisfying.
Carbohydrates primarily come from the sweetened condensed milk and strawberries, delivering natural sugars and sweetness that reduce the need for added refined sugars. Dietary fiber, although minimal, is present from the fruit.
This dessert is not for low-fat or low-calorie diets but works beautifully as a special treat or celebratory dish that can be portion-controlled.
Why Make Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie at Home?
Making this pie at home gives you control over the ingredients and quality. Store-bought frozen desserts often contain preservatives, artificial flavors, and excessive sugars, which this recipe avoids. You can adjust sweetness, choose organic strawberries, and opt for graham cracker crusts made with whole grains or less sugar for a slightly healthier spin.
The ability to make this pie ahead of time also reduces last-minute kitchen stress, allowing you to enjoy your party or meal with family and friends instead of worrying about dessert prep.
Homemade frozen desserts also tend to be more flavorful and fresher-tasting, with the bright strawberry puree and real cream standing out compared to commercial options.
Conclusion
Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie is a delightful summer dessert that blends creamy richness with fruity freshness in a way that feels both indulgent and satisfying. Its ease of preparation, ability to be made ahead, and balance of flavors make it an excellent choice for a wide variety of occasions—from backyard barbecues to holiday dinners.
By using simple, high-quality ingredients, this pie offers a fresher, more wholesome alternative to many pre-made frozen treats, giving you a cool, sweet reward that’s sure to impress your guests or satisfy your own sweet tooth.
Whether you’re a dessert novice or a seasoned baker looking for a refreshing no-bake option, Frozen Strawberry Cream Pie is a recipe worth keeping in your repertoire. It’s a delicious way to celebrate the summer season or any time you crave a cool, creamy, fruit-forward dessert.