Our Communications & Content Coordinator, Mandy Marxen, is always trying to build a better pie, and this time of year when strawberries are so plentiful, she had to start there. Loving Strawberry pie but hating how the berries would make the crust a soggy mess, she enlisted the help another favorite – chocolate. The added bonus of a pre-made, frozen pie crust makes this pie whip up in a jiffy. The whole thing from beginning to end will take less than an hour to make.
- 1 pre-prepared frozen pie crust (9″)
- 4 cups sliced strawberries (buy 2 lbs and have some leftover)
- handful of semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 Tbs cornstarch
- Thaw and cook the frozen pie crust according to directions (12-15 minutes)
- Pull the crust out of the oven to cool, and toss a handful of semi-sweet morsels on the crust to begin melting. Brush along the bottom and up sides to form a seal. Place in freezer to quickly cool (5 minutes)
- Take 1/2 the strawberries and mash them with a potato masher
- Cook mashed strawberries and sugar in a saucepan on medium heat until sugar is dissolved and boiling. Stir frequently.
- Mix water and cornstarch together in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add cornstarch mixture to strawberry saucepan mixture and reduce heat to a simmer until reduced and thickened (approx 8-10 minutes). Stir frequently.
- Remove pie crust from freezer and arrange sliced strawberries in a circular radiating pattern.
- Add strawberry sauce mixture to the top of it and allow all to cool in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours.
- Slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.
