Two-Tier Strawberry Pie

Ingredients and Weight:

For the Crust:

• Graham cracker crumbs: 1 cup (120g)
• Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup (50g)
• Unsalted butter, melted: 1/4 cup (60g)

For the Strawberry Filling (Bottom Tier):

• Strawberries, hulled and sliced: 4 cups (600g)
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200g)
• Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml)
• Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons (16g)

For the Strawberry Filling (Top Tier):

• Strawberries, hulled and sliced: 2 cups (300g)
• Cream cheese, softened: 8 ounces (226g)
• Heavy cream: 1 cup (240ml)
• Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup (100g)
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml)

Preparation Time:

• 45 minutes

Cooking Time:

• No cooking required

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Simple)

Preparation Method Steps:

For the Crust:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.
3. Press the mixture into the bottom of two 9-inch (23 cm) springform pans.
4. Bake the crusts for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely.

For the Strawberry Filling (Bottom Tier):

1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, 1 cup of sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir well.
2. Let the mixture stand for 15 minutes, or until the strawberries have released some juice.

For the Strawberry Filling (Top Tier):

1. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
2. Gradually add the heavy cream and sugar, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract and sliced strawberries.

To Assemble the Pie:

1. Spread the bottom strawberry filling evenly over the cooled crusts.
2. Top with the cream cheese strawberry filling.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving, 1/8th of the pie):

• Calories: 350
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 250mg
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 30g
• Protein: 5g

Dish Characteristics:

• No-bake, making it an easy summer dessert
• Two tiers of strawberry filling, providing a variety of flavors and textures
• Sweet and tangy, with a creamy and crunchy contrast
• Perfect for special occasions or a refreshing treat

User Comments:

• "This pie was a hit at my Fourth of July party! It was so easy to make and everyone loved the combination of strawberries and cream cheese."
• "I'm not a huge fan of strawberries, but this pie changed my mind. The cream cheese filling balanced out the tartness perfectly."
• "I doubled the recipe and made this for a crowd of 16 people. It was the perfect dessert to feed a large group."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Make sure the strawberries are ripe and sweet for the best flavor.
• If you don't have springform pans, you can use regular 9-inch (23 cm) pie plates instead.
• You can also use other berries in the filling, such as blueberries or raspberries.
• For a vegan version of this pie, use a plant-based graham cracker crust and replace the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative.