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Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pie

posted by Liz Berg on February 2, 2015 (updated 11/29/22)

This heavenly Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pie is cool, sweet, and irresistible. Perfect for all your entertaining needs and always a showstopper!

Chock full of luscious, ripe berries nestled within a velvety vanilla, cream cheese, and whipped cream filling, this Easy Strawberry Pie Recipe makes a delicious, memorable dessert.

Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pie topped with fresh strawberry slices on a white Juliska serving plate.

Table of Contents hide

1 Why You Must Make

2 Ingredient Notes

3 Recipe Tips

4 Frequently Asked Questions

5 You May Also Like

6 Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pie Recipe

Why You Must Make

This is the perfect dessert whenever you find beautiful, fragrant strawberries at the market.
There’s a double dose of strawberries with mashed strawberries in the filling and a spectacular strawberry arrangement on top.
I shared this will a group of friends after we went out to dinner, and they practically licked their plates clean!

Ingredient Notes

Kitchen Staples – Sugar, Butter
Graham Cracker Crumbs – Can purchase a box of graham cracker crumbs or make your own in the food processor using graham crackers.
Cream Cheese – at room temperature to make the smoothest filling
Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract never imitation
Lemon Extract – I use Penzey’s brand, but McCormick should have lemon extract in the baking aisle.
Fresh Strawberries – See notes below on how to find the best strawberries.
Heavy Whipping Cream – 36% butterfat.
Powdered Sugar – Sift first so all lumps are removed.

Overhead view of Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pie topped with fresh strawberry slices.

Recipe Tips

The base of this dessert is a classic graham cracker crust. I baked mine, but you could easily just pat the crumbs into the springform pan and chill. It may crumble more if not baked.
Mashed strawberries were added to sweetened cream cheese, then whipped cream was folded in to lighten the mixture. It was then poured over the crust, and the ungarnished pie went into the fridge.
PRO-Tip: Make sure to have your cream cheese at room temperature for easy mixing.
Before serving, create a decorative pattern with sliced berries for a fancy schmancy presentation, but topping with whole or halved berries would be just as lovely.
Look for red, unblemished strawberries. If the seeds look brown, they may not be as fresh as you’d like.
Start by working from the outside in to make the pretty strawberry topper. Adding a whole berry to the center completes the flower-like appearance.
PRO-Tip: Use a serrated knife and saw back and forth to cut through the strawberry topping.
This wasn’t the easiest pie to slice, but it was certainly one of the tastiest! And the presentation will make jaws drop!! Win-win!!

Strawberry Vanilla Cream Pie close view of half the pie on a serving dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do You Use a Springform Pan?

A springform pan is most often used to bake cheesecakes. It has removable sides that helps release the dish from the pan more easily than from a one-piece dish.

How Do You Select the Best Strawberries?

Use your senses. First, check their color. They should be red without green or yellow areas around the stem end. The skin should have a slight sheen. The seeds across the surface should not be brown or appear dehydrated. There should be no visible signs of spoiling like soft or moldy spots. Inspect the clear container on all sides.
Then use your sense of smell. They should smell sweet, with fruity and floral notes. Without any aroma, they most likely will be lacking in flavor.