No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

If you shy away from making strawberry pie because you’re worried the servings won’t turn out looking good, have I got the pie for you. This little gem has gelatin added to keep the filling firm, giving it the perfect texture that’s rich and creamy and bursting with strawberries. Every piece will come right out of the buttery graham cracker crust with ease.

Cream cheese, cream and strawberries, combine to create a truly irresistible filling. The inclusion of gelatin provides structure to the filling, allowing it to hold up in warm summer temperatures and be perfectly sliceable in any indoor or outdoor setting. While there’s nothing wrong with a s trawberry cobbler with biscuits, or a j uicy strawberry slab pie, there are times, you want a beautiful slice of creamy pie.

Serve this with more fresh strawberries on top for a show stopper dessert. This no-bake pie is the best for those hot summer months when you can’t even bear the thought of turning on the oven. It’s the perfect way to end a summer cookout. Since you can use frozen berries, you can have a little bit of summer all year long.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want your strawberries to go bad while you’re waiting to make your favorite strawberry recipes, learn how to keep strawberries fresh for two weeks, it’s a game changer.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

You can definitely substitute frozen strawberries for fresh ones in this recipe. Make sure to thaw the strawberries first and thoroughly drain them for the best result.

Can I use a store-bought graham cracker crust?

A store-bought crust is fine for this recipe – it doesn’t affect how the filling is made, or the amount of time the pie needs to chill in the refrigerator. Store-bought, pre-made graham cracker crusts are not made with real butter, so I try to avoid them, but I get it, they are super convenient and I definitely use them in a pinch. If you have just a few minutes, a homemade crust has a much more buttery taste.

Why You’ll Be Making this Pie on Repeat

• No-bake means no heating up the kitchen
• You can use fresh or frozen strawberries
• Strawberries make the best pie
• So creamy
• Beautiful pink color
• Perfect slices

Why is there gelatin in this pie?

A pie that bakes in the oven uses whole eggs or egg yolks as the stabilizer. Eggs require cooking to gelatinize. Powdered gelatin doesn’t need to be cooked to gel up and stabilize the pie filling – it just needs a few hours in the refrigerator once it’s dissolved and mixed in. If you don’t want to firm up the pie with gelatin, your other option is to use eggs whites like in a light and airy strawberry chiffon pie.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie Recipe Ingredients

• Strawberries – Fresh strawberries are combined with orange juice and sugar and are allowed to macerate. This allows the sweetness of the berries to be concentrated. You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for this pie.
• Orange Juice – Orange juice brings a little bit of acidity to the strawberry puree and a very subtle citrus note
• Unflavored Gelatin – Gelatin provides structure to the pie so it stays together.
• Cream Cheese – Cream cheese is the main ingredient in the filling. It provides creaminess and tang to the pie filling and is just so delicious when combined with strawberries.
• Heavy Cream – Cream is whipped and then folded into the filling to provide a mousse-like airiness and luscious mouthfeel.
• Graham Crackers – Graham crackers are the perfect choice for this pie because they’re not too sweet, and of course, they don’t need to be cooked, creating a quick crust for any no-bake dessert.
• Pantry Staples – salt, sugar, butter, and vanilla.

Pro Tip: To help a graham cracker crust pie come out of the pie pan easier, spray the pie pan first with cooking spray.

How To Make a No-Bake Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

Step 1: Make the graham cracker crust.

Using a food processor or a resealable bag and a rolling pin, crush the graham crackers into crumbs. Stir in the melted butter and press into a greased pie dish.

Step 2: Make the strawberry puree.

Combine cut strawberries with sugar and orange juice in a bowl. Blend the strawberries in a blender, food processor, or use an immersion blender.

Step 3: Make the filling.

Combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt and mix until smooth. Add the strawberry puree.

In a small bowl, combine the gelatin with water and the remaining orange juice. Microwave for 10 seconds to dissolve the gelatin. It should be fully liquid before allowing it to cool slightly and adding it to the strawberry mixture.

Add the cream, unbeaten, to the strawberry cream cheese mixture and beat until fluffy about 2 minutes, then pour it into the prepared crust.

Step 4: Chill and serve.

Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.

Since this pie is so rich already, I don’t think it needs additional whipped cream on top. Instead, cut the pie and serve it with sliced fresh strawberries. Grab a fork and dig into a luscious, fruity, creamy dessert.

Tips for Making Perfect Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

• Unlike some pies, the cream is beaten with the strawberry cream cheese mixture and not separately.
• Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature and the heavy cream is cold before you start to make the pie. This makes it much easier to whip up and get that smooth, airy filling.
• Allow the pie to sit in the refrigerator for the full 4 hours. I know it’s hard to wait to eat something so delicious, but the wait is necessary to allow the gelatin to fully set and allow this pie to be perfectly firm and sliceable.

How to Store Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

This pie can be stored in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. If you cover it with plastic wrap in the original pie dish, keep in mind that any other food with strong smells in the refrigerator can affect the flavor of the pie. I really recommend keeping it airtight in a container!

You can also freeze this pie whole in individual slices. Let it thaw in the refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Pie FAQs

Can I make this pie in advance?

This pie can stay in the fridge for a few days, so you can make it ahead of time if you need to or freeze it for 1-2 months.

Can I use a different fruit?

Strawberries are a great choice for this pie, but other fruits would also be amazing in this pie! Some ideas could be blueberries, raspberries, or even fresh peaches.

How can I get the filling to be really smooth?

Starting with softened, room-temperature cream cheese is essential for getting a really smooth, creamy filling. If the seeds in the strawberries bother you, you can strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve before adding it to the filling.