Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. This is crucial for ensuring that your crumbles bake evenly and turn out crispy.
- In a medium bowl, combine strawberry flavored Jell-o with 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of cold unsalted butter. Using a fork, mix until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. This will form the strawberry crumbles.
- In another bowl, mix 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Again, use a fork to create crumbs. This mixture will provide a lovely contrast to the strawberry crumbles.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the strawberry crumbles evenly on it. Then, add the vanilla crumbles on top, lightly mixing them with your hands.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 7 to 8 minutes. Do not stir during baking; this helps maintain the texture of the crumbles.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let the crumbles cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to use them. This will keep them fresh and crispy.
- Next, in a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat 1 cup of heavy whipping cream along with 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Chill this mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- In another bowl, beat 8 ounces of cream cheese until creamy and free of lumps. This step is important for a smooth filling.
- Add 1 can of sweetened condensed milk to the cream cheese and mix until well combined, about one minute. This mixture will form the base of your filling.
- Incorporate 2 cups of strawberry sauce into the cream cheese mixture. Beat until everything is well blended, creating a beautiful pink filling.
- Carefully fold the chilled whipped cream into the strawberry mixture. This step will ensure your filling remains light and airy.
- Transfer the filling into the prepared graham cracker pie crust, smoothing it out evenly.
- Freeze the pie for 6 to 8 hours until it’s firm. This is crucial for the filling to set properly.
- When ready to serve, remove the pie from the freezer and let it thaw for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will make slicing easier.
- Finally, top with the strawberry shortcake crumbles and serve! Enjoy the delightful flavors of your hard work.
Notes
Storage: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for optimal freshness.
Freezing: You can freeze the pie for later enjoyment, just make sure to thaw before serving.
Pairing: This pie is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Variations: Try using different fruits like blueberries or raspberries for a twist on the classic.
Make It a Cake: Transform this recipe into a layered cake by baking the filling between layers of cake.