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fresh strawberry pie

You'll Love This Strawberry Pie In A Sweet & Salty Crumb Crust

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Last Modified: July 21, 2026
Published: July 21, 2026

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A beautiful summer pie with fresh berries and an easy homemade glaze

Nothing says summer quite like a fresh strawberry pie. This easy recipe lets ripe, juicy berries shine beneath a light, glossy strawberry glaze that comes together quickly on the stovetop. Nestled in a sweet-and-salty graham cracker and pretzel crust, it's beautiful enough for a celebration but simple enough to make just because strawberries are in season.

I love serving this pie well chilled with a generous amount of whipped cream. It's one of those desserts that disappears quickly because the filling tastes bright and fresh instead of overly sweet. Whether you're taking it to a picnic, barbecue, or family dinner, this strawberry pie always brings smiles to the table.

Kitchen Tip: If you're not making the pie the day you buy the berries, the secret to keeping them fresh is keeping them dry. I either transfer them to a shallow container lined with paper towels or place a paper towel on top of the clamshell and turn it upside down to absorb excess moisture. It's a simple trick that helps strawberries stay fresh longer.

fresh strawberry pie

Why You'll Love This Strawberry Pie in a Sweet & Salty Crumb Crust

No special baking skills required!How To Make A Fresh Strawberry Pie

Fresh strawberry flavor takes center stage.

The homemade glaze comes together quickly with pantry staples.

The sweet-and-salty crumb crust is a delicious change from traditional pastry.

It's an easy make-ahead dessert for picnics, cookouts, holidays, and family dinners.

Don't feel tied to one crust. The fresh strawberries are the real star of this pie, so feel free to use whatever crust your family enjoys. A purchased graham cracker crust makes this dessert quick and easy; my light and flaky Patty Cake Pie Crust is always a favorite, and this sweet-and-salty crumb crust adds wonderful flavor and crunch. You really can't go wrong.

How to Make Fresh Strawberry Pie

This pie comes together in three simple steps. First, make the crust and let it cool. While it's cooling, prepare the homemade strawberry glaze. Finally, fold the fresh berries into the cooled glaze, spoon the filling into the crust, and refrigerate until set. It's an easy dessert that looks like you spent far more time than you actually did.

Make the Sweet and Salty Crust

I used my food processor to crush the graham crackers and pretzels into fine crumbs, then pulsed in the brown sugar and melted butter until everything was evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate, making sure to cover the bottom and work the crumbs up the sides.

Bake the crust for about 7 minutes at 375 degrees, then let it cool completely before adding the filling.

Prepare the Strawberry Glaze

The glaze is what gives this pie its shiny, beautiful ruby-red shine while allowing the fresh strawberries to remain the star of the dessert. I use a little bit of strawberry Jell-O because it creates a light, glossy coating that holds everything together without overpowering the fresh berry flavor.

Cook the glaze according to the recipe, then allow it to cool until it's no longer hot but still pourable.

Add the Strawberries

I love using whole strawberries because they make such a beautiful presentation, but feel free to halve or quarter larger berries if you prefer. Wash and dry them well, remove the stems, then gently fold them into the cooled glaze.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared crust, arranging the berries as needed so they're evenly distributed. Refrigerate until the filling is completely set before slicing and serving.

GB's Kitchen Tips

  • Keep strawberries as dry as possible for the freshest flavor.
  • Make sure the crust is completely cool before adding the filling.
  • Let the glaze cool to room temperature before folding in the berries.
  • Chill the pie for several hours for the cleanest slices.
  • Pile on the whipped cream! This pie is begging for it!

Which Crust Should You Choose?

The wonderful thing about this strawberry pie is that the berries are the star. If you're in a hurry, use a good-quality purchased crust. If you're feeling ambitious, my light and flaky Patty Cake Pie Crust is always a favorite. And if you love a little sweet-and-salty crunch, this crumb crust is hard to beat. There really isn't a wrong choice—choose the crust that fits your day.


Fresh strawberry pie in my Patty Cake Pie Crust

A Pie Meant to Be Shared

This is one of those desserts that seems to disappear almost as quickly as it's served. Whether it's for a backyard barbecue, a Sunday dinner, or simply because strawberries were too beautiful to leave at the market, this pie always reminds me that the simplest desserts are often the most memorable.

More Summer Recipes I Think You'll Love

Fresh Peach Crisp - Fresh peaches perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg baked under a buttery, crisp topping of oatmeal, flour, and brown sugar.

Tomato and Peach Salad - A beautiful and unique salad to toast the peak season of peaches and tomatoes. A surprisingly delicious combination!

Danish-Style Cucumbers -A classic cucumber salad with just cucumbers, onion, salt, sugar, vinegar, and pepper. Great, any time of the year!

Corn Fritters - Fast, easy, and delicious fritters made from simple pantry ingredients and fresh sweet corn cut off the cob.

Bruschetta - Bruschetta is an appetizer that begins with firm ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. Salt, sugar, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil make it sing in Italian!

Yield: 8 servings

Fresh Strawberry Pie

fresh strawberry pie
No Ratings

An easy, beautiful summer dessert with fresh strawberries in a glistening glaze. Use a purchased or homemade crust and top it with whipped cream for the ultimate treat!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • About three pounds of fresh strawberries, sliced, quartered or whole One deep dish pie crust, baked 1 1/4 cups cold water 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 3 Tbsp cornstarch 3 Tbsp dry strawberry gelatin (like Jello) This amount is about one half of a 3-ounce package. Whipped cream, for garnish (optional, but seriously, why miss out?)

Instructions

    1. Bake the crust according to package directions, make your own, or use a purchased crust.
    2. Cool the crust completely.
    3. Whisk together the sugar, water, and cornstarch in a small saucepan.
    4. Cook on medium until it begins to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for several more minutes until the mixture thickens.
    5. Whisk in the jello powder until well blended, then cool it to room temperature.
    6. Wash, dry, and remove the hulls from the strawberries.
    7. Slice, quarter, or leave them whole as desired.
    8. Fold the strawberries into the filling and pour into the crust.
    9. Chill for at least four hours or until set.
    10. Serve cold with whipped cream and cover and refrigerate any leftovers.

    FAQs

    Can I make fresh strawberry pie ahead of time?

    Yes! Fresh strawberry pie is a wonderful make-ahead dessert. Prepare it several hours in advance or the day before serving so the filling has plenty of time to chill and set.


    Can I use frozen strawberries?

    Fresh strawberries are the best choice for this pie. Frozen berries release too much liquid as they thaw, which can make the filling watery and prevent the pie from setting properly.


    What is the best crust for strawberry pie?

    That's entirely up to you! This sweet-and-salty crumb crust adds wonderful crunch and flavor, but a purchased graham cracker crust or my light and flaky Patty Cake Pie Crust are both delicious options. Since the fresh strawberries are the star, you really can't go wrong.


    How long will fresh strawberry pie keep?

    Cover the pie and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. The crust will soften a little over time, but the pie will still taste wonderful.

    Yield: One single crust 9" pie crust

    Patty Cake Pie Crust

    patty cake pie crust
    4.3 Stars (8 Reviews)

    Super easy, flaky pie crust you pat in place with your fingers! No cold butter, no messing with a rolling pin!

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2-1 tsp salt, it's up to you.
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    • 1 Tbsp powdered sugar, aids in browning, optional
    • 2 drops yellow food coloring, optional
    • 1/4 cup-1/2 cup cold water. Start with less, if you need more, add it a teeny bit at a time, until the dough forms a ball that is not crumbly

    Instructions

    1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix until evenly moistened, and incorporate all the flour.
    2. Roll the dough into a ball.
    3. Place the dough ball in the center of a 9-inch pie plate.
    4. Use your fingers to pat and push the crust into shape.
    5. Flute the edges of the crust if desired.
    6. For cream pies, prick the crust all over with a fork to prevent shrinking.
    7. To blind bake: Bake in a 375-degree oven for about 12 to 16 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
    8. Set the crust aside to cool.
    9. Do not prick the crust when making a fruit or custard-type pie. Bake as usual.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    8

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 309Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 37mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 3g
    Yield: 8 servings, one 9-inch crust

    Graham Cracker and Pretzel Crumb Crust

    pretzel and graham cracker crumb crust
    No Ratings

    A sweet and salty crust that is great for no-bake pies. Uses pretzels, graham crackers, butter, and brown sugar.

    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 7 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/4 cup pretzel crumbs
    • 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
    • 3/4 cup butter, melted
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
    2. Combine crumbs with melted butter and brown sugar until well blended.
    3. Press the mixture into a 9-inch deep dish pie plate, bringing up the sides.
    4. Bake for about 7 minutes.
    5. Cool the crust completely before adding the filling.

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    8

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 282Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 297mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

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    Love GB (Betty Streff)

    Real food. Real kitchen. Real easy.

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