Shelly's Recipe

STUFFED-CRUST STRAWBERRY CREAM PIE

Category: Pies - Fruit

Crust
1 box refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
1 package (7 oz) almond paste (I used a 7 oz. package of marzipan - it worked beautifully)
1 tsp. cornstarch
1 egg white

Filling
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 T cornstarch
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries*

Topping
1 cup whipping cream
2 T powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
8 fresh whole strawberries, if desired

*1 bag (1 lb) frozen unsweetened strawberries, sliced and thawed, can be used instead of the fresh.

Heat oven to 400. Unroll 1 crust on work surface. Into medium bowl or food processor, crumble almond paste. Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch and the egg white. Mix or cover and process until smooth. Spread on crust to within 1 1/4 inches of edge. Unroll second crust; place on top and pat together gently. Place stuffed crust in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Seal edges; flute. Cover edge with foil; fit second pie plate inside first pie plate on top of crust.

Bake 10 minutes. Remove top pie plate; gently prick crust surface over filling about 15 times with fork. Bake uncovered about 15 minutes longer or until crust is light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, mix granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons cornstarch. Stir in strawberries. Heat to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until filling thickens. Refrigerate about 30 minutes, stirring once, until cool.

Just before serving, spread strawberry filling in crust. In medium bowl, beat whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Spread on top of pie. Garnish with strawberries.