This delightful pie is not too labor-intensive to make. Simply fill a pre-baked pie shell with fresh strawberries, homemade glaze and fresh whipped cream. A true crowd-pleaser, you'll always be welcomed warmly when you arrive at a gathering carrying this masterpiece!
Heat 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan on medium heat.
Add 1/2 cup sugar, whisk to combine.
Add 2 tablespoons cornstarch, whisk to incorporate.
Stir constantly, as the mixture heats and thickens. When the mixture is thick and bubbly, turn heat off and continue to stir. This should only take a few minutes.
Add the lemon juice and drop of food coloring. Stir well.
Pour gel through a sieve and into a medium bowl.
Set aside to cool to lukewarm.
Fresh Whipped Cream
Pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream into the bowl of a heavy duty mixer. If your house is warm, chill the bowl in the fridge for a few minutes before you whip the whipped cream.
Using the balloon whip attachment, whip the cream until stiff - about a minute.
Add the sugar and (scant pinch) of cornstarch and whip again until the cream is stiff.
I used a piping bag and star decorator's tip to pipe a nice design on the pie. See video instructions on how to load an icing bag.
Assembling the Pie
Arrange as many strawberries as you can into the pre-baked pie shell.
Pour glaze over the strawberries. Reserve some glaze to paint over the strawberries with a pastry brush. Reserve one strawberry to top the central dollop of whipped cream.
Pipe the whipped cream over the strawberries. I piped a full ring around the pie in a zigzag design, then a dollop of whipped cream on top.