Strawberry Pie

This is definitely one of my favorite summertime desserts. The filling is quick and easy and the crust is a shortbread cookie. As Ina Garten says, what could be better than that?

Crust:

1 C butter (not margarine)
1/2 C powdered sugar
2 C flour
1/4 tsp baking powder

Cream the butter and sugar together. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder. Combine with the sugar and butter. Chill for an hour or so, then press into a 9" pie plate. I find this makes a lot and don't use quite all of the dough. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned- around 20 minutes. Let cool.

Filling:

In a saucepan, mix together:
1 C sugar
2 T cornstarch
1 small pkg strawberry jello
Add 1 C cold water and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened. Let cool to room temperature.

You will need one quart (4 Cups) of strawberries. Wash and take the tops off. Leave the berries whole, or halve the larger ones to make them more bite-size. Pat dry and place them in the cooled crust. Pour cooled gel mixture over berries and put the pie in the fridge for an hour or so until completely set. Serve with whipped cream and enjoy!

Sugar Pie -

Let me start by saying that if you are currently following any diet that restricts you from enjoying "heavenly" food choices...move away from your computer. Now.

This recipe came from my Dad's neighbor Denyse and as he so eloquently puts it, "it is too die for."

The ingredients are simple.

The results are divine.

Sugar Pie:

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. brown sugar

2 c. heavy whipping cream

1 t. maple extract

1 pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Press your pie crust into your pie plate. In a small bowl mix the flour and brown sugar together. Pour the sugar/flour mixture onto the crust and even it out. Gently pour the whipping cream over the flour & sugar mixture. Sprinkle the teaspoon of maple extract over the whipping cream.

Bake the pie for 1 - 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees or until almost set. Center will still be a bit wiggly (that's the technical term for not quite set.)

Bon Appetit!