This strawberry cream pie is our favorite summertime dessert! It’s easy to make with a flaky crust, creamy cheesecake filling, fresh strawberries and a strawberry glaze.

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Strawberry Cream Pie Recipe
Strawberry dessert recipes are so delicious and have the best flavor. This strawberry cream pie is one of the first I make in summer, followed by homemade strawberry jam, strawberry crumble bars and this angel food strawberry shortcake recipe! Yum!
This is a fun spin on my classic strawberry pie recipe. The richness of the cream cheese filling gives it that perfect creamy texture and pairs amazingly with the sweet strawberry flavor. It’s the ultimate combination!
Ingredients Needed

- Pie crust: I love to use this easy pie crust recipe or butter pie crust recipe, it’s so flaky and delicious! In a pinch or for a no-bake dessert, use a pre-made crust.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s at room temperature so that it’s creams together smoothly without any lumps. Learn how to soften cream cheese quickly.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is needed for the cheesecake filling, as well as to make the strawberry gelatin glaze.
- Whipping cream: Full-fat heavy cream will give you the best flavor and results.
- Vanilla: A high quality pure vanilla extract is best.
- Lemon zest: This is optional, although I do love the bright tartness it adds to to the cream layer.
- Strawberries: The bigger and juicer the strawberries, the better! Make sure to wash, hull and dry them before using.
- Cornstarch: Used as a thickening agent for the gelatin glaze.
- Strawberry gelatin: Adds more strawberry flavor and is used as a glaze on top of the fresh berries.
Variations
Easily make this pie your own by making a few small substitutes.
- Instead of a traditional pie crust, try using a graham cracker crust, salty pretzel crumb crust or Oreo pie crust for a hint of chocolate flavor.
- Boost the lemon flavor by adding 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract or lemon juice in the cream mixture with the lemon zest.
- This pie would also taste delicious with fresh raspberries and raspberry gelatin!
How to Make Strawberry Cream Pie
This pie is made with 3 delicious layers – a flaky pie crust, creamy cheesecake filling and fresh glazed strawberries with gelatin.
- Pie crust. Bake your pie crust in the oven according to instructions and let cool. It needs to be completely cooled before adding in the other layers. You can do this a few hours in advance before getting started with the rest of the recipe.
- Cream filling. Beat the cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Then mix in whipping cream and vanilla on medium-high speed until a peak forms. If desired, sprinkle in some freshly grated lemon zest. Then spread the cream cheese mixture onto the bottom of the cooled pie crust.
- Fresh strawberries. Place the fresh strawberries on top of the cream layer.
- Strawberry glaze. Heat water, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Cook until the mixture is clear and thick then remove from heat and mix in the strawberry gelatin until it dissolves. Pour the glaze evenly on top of the fresh strawberries.
- Chill the pie. Place strawberry cream pie in the refrigerator for about 2 to 4 hours, or until the gelatin has set. Keep stored in the fridge until serving. Slice and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Results
- Fresh strawberries. Use fresh, ripe strawberries. You want them to be red and juicy.
- Thick pie crust. For a thicker crust, use my homemade pie crust recipe. I cut it in half.
- Freeze your beaters. Before making the cream layer, I like to freeze my bowl and beaters. It speeds up the process.
- Layering the berries. I like to layer two rows of sliced strawberries and one row of whole strawberries, however you could add all sliced to make it easier.
- Strawberry glaze. You can buy a premade strawberry glaze from the grocery, however I prefer the homemade version. Make sure to evenly coat all of the berries with glaze as you pour it on. It’s also important to let the glaze sit for 10 minutes to cool before pouring it on top of the cream layer.
Decorations
The strawberry cream pie is beautiful on it’s own with the vibrant red color and glossy finish from the strawberry glaze. However to take it up a notch with presentation, add a a few dollops of homemade whipped cream (or stabilized whipped cream for a sturdier finish).
I used a 1M star tip and piped the cream in a circle around the crust edges, as well as a few dollops in the center of the pie. You could even add a piece of fresh mint on top for some extra color!

More strawberry recipes: strawberry shortcake bars, strawberry shortcake trifle recipe, no-bake strawberry icebox cake or strawberry cheesecake lasagna.
More Strawberry Dessert Recipes

Strawberry Cream Pie
Video
Ingredients
- 1 baked pie crust (completely cooled)
- 8 ounce package cream cheese , softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar , divided
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest from 1/2 lemon , optional
- 2 pounds strawberries (washed, hulled and dried)
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 ounce package strawberry gelatin
Instructions
- Combine the cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar in a large bowl. Beat until smooth. Add the whipping cream and vanilla and beat on medium-high speed until a peak forms. Add freshly grated lemon zest if desired. Spread onto the bottom of the cooled pie crust.
- Place the strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer. I like to layer two rows of sliced strawberries and one row of whole strawberries, however you could add all sliced to make it easier.
- In a small sauce pan, heat the water, sugar and cornstarch over medium heat. Stir constantly. Once it has come to a boil, cook an additional 1-2 minutes, or until it has become clear and thick. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin. Stir for one minute, or until the gelatin has dissolved. Allow to cool slightly (about 5-10 minutes), then pour evenly over the top of the strawberries, making sure they all get coated with the glaze.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, or until it has set. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Slice and enjoy!
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
FAQs
It’s best to use fresh strawberries in the recipe. Frozen strawberries will become too wet and make the crust soggy.
Sure! That’s an easy substitution to make if you’re looking to cut back on sugar a bit in this recipe.
It may not have been whipped long enough. The cream won’t get as solid like a cheesecake would, but it should be firm enough to hold shape.
When beating, it’s important that a peak forms (when lifted from a spoon, it doesn’t drop). One trick is to chill the bowl and beaters to help things stay cold. It’s also important not to over-mix this layer, causing the cream to lose it’s peak.
Cover and store in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days. I would not suggest freezing this recipe.

Lynda
It was delicious but took way to long! I will enjoy every bite! Be sure to mix your cornstarch in a little cold water before you add it too the water mixture, otherwise you will have lumps in your glaze.
Jamielyn Nye
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment and review Lynda. :)
Bonnie
This is a great strawberry pie. Loved by everyone that tried it
Jamielyn Nye
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thanks for your comment and review Bonnie! :)
Ann
Is strawberry hello same as gelatin. Also does gelatin need to cool down before you put it on top of strawberry pie.?
Jamielyn Nye
Yes it is the same. You don’t need to let it cool down, it will cool and set in the fridge. :)
Karen
The cream cheese mixture didn’t set up. It seemed the more I whipped it the softer it became – any answers?
Jamielyn Nye
So sorry you had trouble with the cream! The cream won’t get as solid like a cheesecake would, but it should be firm enough to hold shape. It’s hard to say without being there, but I’m guessing you may have over-mixed causing the cream to lose peak.
Mandy @ South Your Mouth
From one food blogger to another, I have to tell you this… my mama brought this pie to my house for Sunday dinner and we FELL IN LOVE!! She doubled the cream cheese layer (just because) and my entire family raved about this for DAYS. Both layers were absolutely perfect – perfect texture, perfect flavor, perfect consistency, perfect everything. I can’t wait to make this!!
Jamielyn Nye
Your comment made my day! I’m so glad you all enjoyed this pie. Thank you so much for your sweet comment and review! :)
Krystine Swertfager
It looks delicious. I do not have a printer. Can you send this to my email address.
Jamielyn Nye
Hi Krystine! If you go to print it will let you save a PDF of the recipe to your desktop that you can email or keep on your computer.
Linda J. Maldonado
Looks delishious. I would make it. Looks refreshing. I give it 5 stars. I love strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
Jamielyn Nye
Hope you enjoy! It’s one of my favorites!
Linda J. Maldonado
Looks delishious. I would make it. Looks refreshing
janet
Can I use a store-bought graham cracker crust (9″) or a frozen 9″ (standard) pie crust, or does this need a deep-dish crust? Thank you!
pam lastowski
Can I substitute Cool Whip for the whipped cream?
Jamielyn Nye
Yes, that should be fine! :)
Linda J. Maldonado
Good question. Can cool whip be substituted for whipped cream.
Jamielyn Nye
That should be fine! :)
Colette Carlisle
Good directions, delicious results, definitely will make this again!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed it! :)
Emily DeVita
Can this pie sit in the refrigerator a couple of days before serving?
Jamielyn Nye
Hi Emily! This pie is usually best the day of, but you could definitely make it the night before!
Adina
My cream cheese mix turned back into a thick sauce after the peaks and the jello part was too thick to spread over. I think it will still be tasty.
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
My favorite! Craving for this!
Allyson Zea
Oh wow! This would definitely WOW a crowd!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
Thia pie looks totally irresistible! A winner for summer dessert!
Sabrina
This is going to be the perfect dessert for my Memorial Day BBQ!
Demeter
Those strawberries are everything! Wow!!