National Strawberry Cream Pie Day

National Strawberry Cream Pie Day is on September 28.Photo bybunnyswarmoven.net website

In 2004, National Strawberry Cream Pie Day was created. The delicious dessert and treat is now celebrated every year on September 28th. The uniqueness of the pie is that at least 2/3 of the pie is actual strawberries.

The strawberry dates back to approximately 234 B.C. One of the more quirky holidays, this summer pie is celebrated in the fall. While apples are the big fruit of the season, strawberries are still available in many stores now all year round.

What is fun about the recipe for this is that it's versatile and can be made anyway that you want. There are hundreds of different recipes, with most using whip cream, while some use cream cheese and a custard base. Fresh strawberries are the best, but if you need to use frozen strawberries, they can do in a pinch, but remember they probably have a higher water content.

Strawberry Cream Pie:

Dan Dan's Strawberry Cream Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup sliced fresh strawberries, mashed
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup confectioners' sugar
• ¼ cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 (9-inch) prepared Graham cracker crust
• Sliced or whole fresh strawberries to top the pie (optional)

Directions:

1. Beat together cream cheese, white sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup mashed strawberries until well combined.
2. Beat together heavy cream and confectioners' sugar in a glass or metal bowl until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until evenly mixed; fold in 1/4 cup sliced strawberries.
3. Spoon strawberry mixture into Graham cracker crust. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving.

*Optional: top with sliced or whole fresh strawberries.