Strawberry Cream Pie

Fresh sliced strawberries are layered in a pastry crust and topped with a creamy, homemade vanilla pudding pie filling.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (9-inch) baked pie crust*

Filling:
2 cups milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups strawberries, rinsed, dried and sliced - divided use
2 tablespoons strawberry jelly, preserves or jam, warmed

Sweetened whipped cream for accompaniment

Cooking Directions:

1. Prepare pie crust; set aside to cool.
2. For Filling: In a saucepan over medium scald milk or until tiny bubbles form around the edge of the pan.
3. In another saucepan combine sugar, flour and salt. Blend in the milk gradually to the flour mixture. Cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly.
4. In a small bowl beat egg yolks. Stir a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the beaten egg yolks then return to the hot mixture. Cook for 1 minute then stir in butter and vanilla; cool.
5. Slice 4 cups strawberries; reserving 1 cup for garnish. Place the remaining strawberries in baked pie crust. Spread the pudding on top. Chill.
6. Just before serving, toss reserved sliced strawberries with warm jelly and spoon atop pie.
7. Serve wedges of pie with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

*Use store bought, ready-to-use pie pastry, or your favorite recipe for homemade pie pastry.