Strawberry Pie with Sesame Crust
A BAKER'S DOZEN: 13 TRIED AND TRUE TREATS FROM MY GRANDMOTHER'S KITCHEN, DAY 5
Let’s face it: sometimes, in life, we cut corners. Cutting corners usually produces less-than-ideal results, but once in a while, there’s an exception to this rule — and sometimes cutting corners tastes delicious.
One of my very favorite things about my grandmother’s strawberry pie (which she got from her mother-in-law) is the fact that the crust is all about cutting corners. No need to cut in the fat. No need for a food processor. Simply mix the ingredients together in the pie plate itself, press it down with your hands, and voila! Ready to bake. Not only is the pie crust practically fool-proof, it’s got a wonderfully warm, nutty taste that provides the perfect contrast to the cold, sweet, luscious strawberry filling.
Originally, this strawberry filling called for 1 cup of whipping cream, but all that whipping cream seemed to dull the flavor of the strawberries and felt almost too light. The solution? Swapping out 1/4 cup of the whipped cream for 1/4 cup of sour cream — and cutting down on the lemon juice — gives the filling just enough richness and body while bringing out a bolder, more brilliant strawberry flavor.
The resulting pie is easy-breezy wonderful, and exactly the kind of sweet treat called for on a warm summer day…when all you want to do is cut corners.
- FOR THE SESAME CRUST:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ - 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp cold milk
- ½ cup canola oil
- FOR THE STRAWBERRY MOUSSE FILLING:
- ¾ cup heavy cream, chilled
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup + 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 envelopes (unflavored) gelatin
- ½ cup water
- 1 (16 oz) tub Dole frozen sliced strawberries in sugar (Make sure to
- buy sweetened strawberries, and do not defrost.)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ tsp almond extract
- For the sesame crust:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Sift the dry ingredients into a 9-inch pie plate. Add the sesame seeds. In a small bowl, combine milk and oil. Beat with a fork, then pour all at once into flour mixture. Mix with a fork until dry ingredients are completely damp. Press dough evenly and firmly into the pie plate. Prick dough thoroughly on the bottom and sides with the tines of a fork to help prevent it from puffing up as it bakes. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden; cool completely and refrigerate until you’re ready to add the strawberry mousse filling.
- For the strawberry mousse filling:
- In a stand mixer, whip the cream, sour cream and 1 tablespoon of the sugar in a cold bowl on low speed until bubbles form. Increase speed to medium and whip approximately 30 seconds, then increase speed to high and whip until the mixture holds stiff peaks (about 30 seconds). Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, mix ½ cup sugar and gelatin. Add ½ cup water and cook over low heat until thick; remove from heat just before boiling. Add the frozen strawberries, lemon juice and almond extract, and stir until mixture thickens. Break up clumps of berries in the process. Fold the whipped cream into the strawberry mixture until blended. Pour into the baked pie shell. Refrigerate pie at least 2-3 hours before serving.
Kathyrn,
I’m so glad you posted this recipe!
I remember grandmother making this luscious pie. The crust is what makes this pie so special.
Yum! I can’t wait to make it now that I have the recipe!! 🙂
Thanks!
Kara
Thanks for stopping by, Kara! I couldn’t agree more about the crust – I would eat it all on its own, no filling required! 😉
Thanks for reminding me of this pie. I always loved it. I dug into my recipe stash and found it. I think the crust was the hit. Sooooo good and and so many memories. I am anxious to try the updated version. D
D- I think it’s pretty great either way, but I’ll be curious to know what you think of the revision 🙂 Hope all is well! xo
Never heard of sesame in a crust but now that i read it i ask myself-why not? wonderful idea!
Going to try this today with a graham cracker crust and the millions of frozen strawberries in my freezer!
Ellie, let me know how it goes! Are the strawberries sweetened? If not, you will definitely want to add some sugar to the filling and taste test before you pop the pie in the fridge 🙂
This looks delicious, especially the crust. It is easy and is versatile. What kind of flour do you use specifically pls?
Hi pk, just regular all-purpose flour is perfect.
Tried this today and it didnt turn out the way i remember, iremember the filling being thick and ready to go once it was put in the pie crust. this one was as soupy as can be.
Hi Emily, sorry to hear that! Did you refrigerate the pie after filling it? This one does need to be refrigerated for a good 2-3 hours before serving.
well i am on my 3rd attempt. this time i let the gell and water mix sit and cool and added it slowly and its much thicker when i added it to the crust, the others there was no time long enough in the fridge to save it. so heres fingers crossed cuz this pregnant woman is having serious cravings.
Hope it worked out this time!