Description

This Fresh Strawberry Pie with a Pretzel-Pecan Crust is a delightful summer dessert combining a crunchy, buttery pretzel and pecan crust with a sweet and tangy strawberry gelatin filling topped with fresh strawberries. Chilled to perfection and optionally served with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, this pie offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors that is both refreshing and indulgent.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

1 cup crushed pretzels
½ cup finely chopped pecans
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (melted)

For the filling:

1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 (3-ounce) package strawberry gelatin
4 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and halved)

For topping (optional):

Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

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Instructions

Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until evenly moistened. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate to form an even crust.
Bake the crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Once baked, remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack to ensure a crisp base for the filling.
Make the filling base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add water while whisking. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes translucent, approximately 5–7 minutes.
Add gelatin and cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the strawberry gelatin until fully dissolved. Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature to avoid melting the fresh strawberries.
Combine filling ingredients: Once the gelatin mixture has cooled, gently fold in the fresh strawberries, taking care not to crush them.
Assemble the pie: Pour the filling evenly into the cooled pretzel-pecan crust and spread to distribute the filling smoothly.
Chill the pie: Refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 4 hours, allowing the filling to fully set and meld the flavors.
Serve: Once set, serve the pie chilled. Optionally, garnish with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Notes

Ensure the crust is completely cooled before adding the filling to prevent it from becoming soggy.
If fresh strawberries are out of season, frozen strawberries can be used after thawing and draining thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
For added texture and appeal, reserve some chopped pecans to sprinkle on top of the pie just before serving.