A baked pastry pie crust is spread with strawberry-infused sweetened cream cheese and topped with fresh strawberries partially dipped in melted semisweet chocolate, with a garnish of toasted ground almonds.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

Pie crust mix for single-crust, 9-inch pie
1/2 cup finely ground toasted almonds
Water
1 (8-ounce) package light cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 pint baskets fresh California strawberries, stemmed - divided use
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted
Ground toasted almonds, for garnish

1. Combine pie crust mix and 1/2 cup almonds; mix in water as directed on package. Roll out pastry on floured surface and use to line a 9-inch pie plate; crimp edges and prick bottom and sides with fork.
2. Bake in 400°F (205°C) oven 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown. Set aside to cool before filling.
3. In bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in 3/4 cup of the strawberries, to crush. Spread mixture into prepared pastry shell.
4. Dip tips of remaining strawberries into melted chocolate; arrange upright over cheese layer. Sprinkle with ground almonds. Chill. To serve, cut into wedges.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information: 469 calories; 11-g protein; 32 g fat; 40 g carbohydrate; 29 mg cholesterol

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy California Strawberry Commission. ©2003 California Strawberry Commission. All rights reserved.