Aunt Kathys Strawberry Pie Recipes

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Add the flour, sugar and salt to the bowl of your food processor (or a large bowl if your making the dough by hand).
• Turn the food processor on low speed and add the chunks of cold butter one at a time while the food processor runs until all the butter is added and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.If making by hand, use a pastry blender or your hands to work the butter into the dough until the mixture is crumbly. Try not to handle the butter too much (the heat from your hands will soften it) - use quick movements and don't worry if some larger chunks of butter still remain.
• Add the lemon juice and the water slowly as the food processor runs on low, just until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Depending on the weather and even on the brand of flour, I use anywhere between 5 and 8 tablespoons of water. If making by hand, use your hands to form the dough gently and quickly using just enough water for the dough to come together.
• Dump the rough dough onto the counter and divide the dough into two disc shapes and wrap each one separately in plastic wrap, placing it in the fridge to chill for 45 minutes or overnight.
• Add the sliced strawberries to a bowl, along with the cornstarch, sugar, salt and lemon juice. Toss just until combined.
• Set the filling aside while you prepare the crust for baking.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven runs hot, set it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. (Use an oven thermometer to ensure the correct temperature)
• Remove the chilled pie dough from the fridge and let it sit for about 10 minutes before rolling. Roll out one of the balls of dough into a large circle using a rolling pin. Add a generous amount of flour to the rolling surface and to the rolling pin, to prevent sticking and cracking.
• Peel the rolled out dough off the counter surface gently by rolling it backwards onto the rolling pin.
• Transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate and gently press the dough into the bottom of the pie plate and over the edges (try for a 1-2 inch overhang if possible).
• Add the strawberry filling to the pie crust and smooth out the top.
• Repeat the rolling out process with the second ball of dough, this time slicing it into about 10 long, thin slices using a pizza cutter (or a pastry cutter, if you have one).
• Create a lattice pattern using the strips of dough, overlapping every second vertical strip with every second horizontal strip.
• Trim any dough that hangs over the edge of the pie to 1-2 inches past the edge (try to keep the overhang amount even all the way around). Tuck any overhanging dough under and into the pie plate to create a clean edge.
• If your pie plate has a wide edge, seal the edge of the pie by creating a fluted pattern - press into the edge of the pie from the outside with your left thumb and index finger while pressing into the edge of the pie from the inside with your right index finger. Do this all the way around the edge of the pie to create a fluted pattern (and see my tutorial HERE for how to create a beautiful fluted edge to your pies!)
• Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon of water and brush it lightly onto the unbaked crust. Use a light hand while brushing - too much egg wash creates an eggy texture after baking.
• Dust the crust with the coarse sugar and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 375 (350 if your oven runs hot) and bake for an additional 35-45 minutes or until the crust is evenly browned and the filling is bubbly.
• Let cool to room temperature before slicing and serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

EASY FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. Unroll crust into a 9-in. pie plate. Trim edge. Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil or parchment. Bake 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack., In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in gelatin until dissolved. Refrigerate until slightly cooled, 15-20 minutes., Meanwhile, arrange strawberries in the crust. Pour gelatin mixture over berries. Refrigerate until set. If desired, serve with whipped cream.

OLD FASHIONED STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place one crust in a nine inch pie pan.
• Mix together sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix lightly through the berries. Pour filling into pastry lined pan, and dot fruit with butter or margarine. Cover with top crust, and cut slits in the top. Seal and flute the edges.
• Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is slightly browned.

AUNT KATHY'S STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• combine 2C sugar, 1/2 C cornstarch in saucepan.
• add 2 cups water and heat until boiling gently.
• Cook for 3 minutes.
• remove from heat and stir in 4T jello until dissolved.
• Pour over chopped strawberries, thawed and well drained if using frozen berries.
• Pour into baked pie crust and chill.
• Serve with whipped cream if desired.

LATTICE-TOP STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• To make the crust, combine the flour, 2 teaspoons of the sugar and the salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and shortening and rub into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually and gently stir in just enough water to make it come together. Divide the dough in halve and gently press each half into a ball. Wrap both in plastic, flatten into disks, and refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• To make the filling, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together the strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt. Set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough round to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Fit the dough in the pie plate and spoon in the filling. Scatter the butter evenly over the top. Roll out the remaining dough, cut it into 1-inch strips and weave a lattice top over the filling. Trim and crimp the edges. Brush the egg over the crust and sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Place on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. Continue baking until the crust is nicely browned and the filling bubbles thickly, 40-50 minutes. Place on a rack to cool completely, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. Cut into wedges and serve.

AUNT KATE'S STRAWBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease a cake pan.
• Beat white sugar and shortening together until light and fluffy.
• Beat eggs, one at a time, into sugar mixture until well mixed; stir in vanilla extract.
• Stir 1 cup strawberries and baking soda in a large bowl until baking soda is dissolved. This will help strawberries foam and rise in the cake.
• Whisk flour and salt together in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture and strawberry mixture by hand, into sugar mixture, alternating flour mixture, then strawberry mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Pour batter into prepared cake pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Beat confectioners' sugar, butter, and 1/4 cup strawberries in a bowl with an electric mixer until blended; frost the cooled strawberry cake.

AUNT BARBARA'S STRAWBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter in a mixing bowl; mix until evenly moistened and press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is lightly browned and smells toasted, about 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.
• Soak gelatin in cold water for 3 minutes. Heat the water and gelatin in the top of a double boiler set over simmering water, stirring frequently, until gelatin is completely dissolved.
• Beat whipping cream in a chilled glass or metal bowl until soft peaks form.
• Stir strawberries and 1/3 cup sugar together in a bowl. Pour gelatin mixture over strawberries. Gently fold in whipped cream until incorporated. Pour filling into baked pie shell and chill in the refrigerator until set, at least 2 hours.