Did y’all know that I was born and raised in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the WORLD?! That’s right! Plant City, Florida! And in case you don’t know where that is…here ya go:
This time of the year (January through March) is one of my favorite times in my hometown. When driving through the country, all of the fields are full of the short, dark-green-with-pops-of-red plants that are STRAWBERRIES.
And if you get stuck in a traffic jam, it’s probably because you’re behind a truck carrying flats of strawberries. (The negative is that they go slow. The positive is that your car smells AMAZING!)
And in February and March (this year, February 26 – March 8 specifically) the annual Florida Strawberry Festival is held! Now, this is no little small-town gathering – it’s a huge deal! You can CLICK HERE to visit the Strawberry Festival’s website and see – with headline entertainment like John Legend, Reba McIntyre, and Hunter Hayes, it’s a very busy event, full of fun for the whole family, fantastic music, awesome rides and displays and contests, and all things STRAWBERRY.
So when I realized that this Friday (January 23) was National Pie Day, it dawned on me (and my husband STRONGLY agreed) that I had not made a Strawberry Pie yet this season. In fact, he pointed out, “You haven’t made strawberry ANYTHING yet? What gives?!” (Did I mention that he was born and raised in Plant City, too?! It’s in the blood, folks!)
So, in honor of my hometown, and National Pie Day, may I present: Easy Strawberry Cream Pie!
I snagged this recipe from Nikki over at Chef in Training, and if you have not been to her blog, GO THERE! She has some fantastic recipes, this one being no exception!
- 1 cooked pie crust, Cook according to pie crust directions
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ tsp. vanilla or almond extract
- 18-20 strawberries, cut in halves
- 1 Tbsp. shortening or oil
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
Yes, I make my pie crusts from scratch, and I even wrote a blog post about them! So if you want an EASY from-scratch pie crust recipe (seriously, you won’t believe how easy it is) CLICK HERE for that post!
For all the prep details from Nikki, CLICK HERE!
And here’s how my pie turned out:
The thing I LOVE about this pie is the ratio of the strawberries and the cream, with just the right little pop of chocolate added, as well! Plus, it turns out beautifully, and every time I have taken it to a gathering, it has been gobbled up in a matter of minutes! I think you can see why!
So what about you? Do YOU like strawberries? What is your favorite way to use them? Is your hometown famous for something? I’d love to hear all about it! Oh, and how will YOU celebrate National Pie Day on Friday? You know what I think!
Due to the amount of comments from all of my wonderful readers, it is not always possible for me to respond to each one. However, I absolutely do read them all, and if you’d like to address something specific, or have a question for me, please don’t hesitate to email me at Kristen@theroadtodomestication.com. I will respond to your email as soon as possible! Thank you for visiting the blog!
i wish i could sample this right now, my diet wouldn’t enjoy it but the rest of me would BIG TIME 😉
I have never had a strawberry cream pie before, but it sounds DELICIOUS. I need to make one.
I always thought strawberries grew mostly in the summer! You learn something new every day. I’ll be visiting Florida in the end of march, I’m so bummed I’ll miss the festival. That’s just the kind of thing I love 🙂
MY MOUTH IS WATERING!!! WATERING 🙂
We used to live in Celebration and went to the Strawberry Festival every year! So much fun! Your pie looks delicious, I need to make one soon.
I had no idea it was National Pie Day! I’d put this right up there with Christmas, because, really, what can beat pie? Short answer? Nothing!
I can’t say I’ve had strawberry cream pie (that I know of) but it sounds delicious. Strawberries are super expensive here this time of year as they don’t start growing for a few more months.
Yum that looks absolutely delicious! I haven’t ever made a strawberry pie before, but this looks super good!
I love strawberries in anything possible. Nothing really famous here that I know of. But it is cottage country and the beach is here
I LOVE strawberries! We won’t have them for several more months, but they are my favorite fruit.
Just rub it in that you were born in the strawberry capital of the world! 🙂 Strawberries are my favorite berries and your pie looks amazing. What a perfect Valentine’s Day dessert. Wish I had a big ol’ piece.
Beautiful and I love how you added chocolate! This is also easy and looks scrumptious.
I do love strawberries–either pop them right into my mouth or throw some ion a bowl with some heavy or light cream depending on my mood or add a couple to cereal! Now you know I would LOVE a piece of this pie immediately of not sooner!!
I had no idea Plant City was our Strawberry Capital! I sure am enjoying our local strawberries. Thanks for the recipe
This looks delicious! I want a slice right now.
I LOVE strawberries. Some of my fondest memories are strawberry picking with my mom. The pie looks scrumptious!
I love strawberries in all their forms. This cream pie looks like it would have been one of my favorites though.
I love strawberries. I lived in Tampa some 40 years ago and never made it to Plant City. Two years ago I visited Tampa and headed out on a Sunday to Orlando by car and got stuck in a MASSIVE traffic jam of traffic heading to that strawberry festival. Plant City has grown up! But you know what I like the most about Plant City? Strawberry onions! Yes!
That looks to die for! I would love to have a slice of that!
National Pie a Day !!! Great I love to celebrate!
Yum!! I love the addition of the chocolate!! Hey I would love if you stopped by My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday – Link Party, and share your stuff!! http://www.cookinandcraftin.com/my-2-favorite-things-on-thursday-link-party-3/
that looks like a slice of heaven on a plate. I am sure that was as tasty as it looks
A slice of that with a cup of tea would be perfect right about now.
This strawberry cream pie looks so decadent and delicious. Strawberries are my favorite fruit so I know I would love this.
I love how you added a little chocolate drizzle to it. This pie looks incredible!
I love anything with strawberries, they taste so yummy and make me very happy; I would love to have a strawberry cream pie!
My hubby would love this! He makes a delicious strawberry pie but I don’t think either of us has had a strawberry cream pie. Looks mighty good!
This has got me looking forward to SPRING! Love it! Thanks for posting!
This looks fabulous and I love the chocolate drizzled over it. I bet it is wonderful driving behind those trucks.
I love plain old strawberry shortcake. That has to be my favorite dish although I loved my mom’s strawberry rhubarb pie.
Looks scrumptious! Can’t wait to try! This reminds me a of my mom’s Strawberry Pizza! I was thinking of making one this weekend! I will have to post the recipe!
That looks simply great. My daughter loves strawberries and would love this.
What a great strawberry treat to enjoy. Fruit pies are always a favorite.
I love strawberries! I always have strawberries in the fridge. I am going to try this recipe – it looks amazing with that chocolate drizzle!
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Plant City Strawberries are the BEST! This looks amazing!
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Wow! Your strawberry pie looks soo delicious! I’ll try to make it for sure!
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Thanks for linking up to the Tasty Tuesday last week. I’ve pinned your recipe to the Creative K Pinterest board. I hope that you come back tomorrow to link you any new recipes you might have.
I wish Strawberry season lasted 12 months!!! I will forsure be trying this recipe out before the season ends. My guys are going to love it! YUM!