(Almost) No Bake Strawberry Pie

The only baking needed for this No Bake Strawberry Pie is about 13 minutes for the crust. The really wonderful thing about this recipe is the fresh strawberry filling thickened with Instant Clear Jel. If you've never used it, it's a game changer. It keeps the fruit fresh without cooking which alters the flavor.....and it's super easy to use.

It's important to use Instant ClearJel and not just plain ClearJel which requires cooking to set.

Fresh strawberries are cut into bite size pieces and combined with sugar, instant ClearJel, water and lemon juice, then poured into a vanilla wafer crust for that easy summer dessert you've been looking for. For more information on thickeners see my post, Thickeners as Used in Baking and Pastry.

Other Strawberry desserts you might enjoy include: the elegant Chocolate Strawberry Mousse Torte, Strawberry Verrines, Unbelievable Cheesecake, and the really quick Strawberry Bread. And if your lookin for more recipes like this see my Summer Roundup of Sweet and Savory.

Jump to:

• What is ClearJel
• Why You'll Want to Make this Pie
• Recipe Ingredients
• Variations
• Step by Step Instructions
• Storage
• Expert Tips
• More Easy Summer desserts
• (Almost) No Bake Strawberry Pie

What is ClearJel

I have found Instant ClearJel on Amazon but many companies are saying it can be used to can with. This is incorrect. It should not be used this way. I buy my Instant ClearJel from Nuts.com where it is more reasonably priced and I know it is the right one. This is not an affiliate link, just information.

Types of ClearJel

There are two types of ClearJel and each has it's own special uses.

ClearJel (sometimes referred to as Cook Type) is activated by heat and liquid. It works well with acidic ingredients, tolerates high temperatures, and doesn't cause pie fillings to weep" during storage. It is especially good if canning pie fillings and is the only thickener recommended by the USDA for home canning. You can also use ClearJel to thicken sauces, stews, pot pies, etc. One downside is that recipes thickened with ClearJel break down if they're frozen and thawed.  ClearJel can be substituted in equal parts with tapioca starch, corn starch or arrowroot. Products using ClearJel can be heated twice.

Instant ClearJel is often referred to as the secret ingredient in uncooked recipes. It requires no heat, sets up as soon as it comes in contact with liquid, and is not adjustable. Instant ClearJel is used in uncooked fillings, such as mousses or creamy cake or pie fillings. It needs to be mixed with sugar, then with the wet ingredients, and added to the rest of the filling at once. It is particularly good when used with fresh fruit for pie fillings. While Instant ClearJel can be heated, it is not primarily used this way and can only be heated once. One of its best properties is that it can be used when freezing and thawing.

Why You'll Want to Make this Pie

• It's sooo easy to make and beautiful.
• Fresh strawberries come through in every bite.
• It uses simple ingredients for the most part.
• It uses minimal ingredients for maximum flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

Vanilla Wafer Crust

FRONT ROW: Unsalted butter

BACK ROW: Vanilla Wafers (Nilla wafers suggested), powdered sugar

Strawberry Filling

FRONT ROW: Granulated sugar, Instant ClearJel, lemon juice

BACK ROW: Fresh strawberries, water

Waterproofing the Crust

LEFT TO RIGHT: Semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter (white chocolate may be substitued for the dark).

Whipped Cream Finish

LEFT TO RIGHT: Powdered sugar, heavy cream.

Variations

Blueberries can be substituted for the strawberries.

Mixed berries such as blueberries, red raspberries, strawberries and blackberries can be used.

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and instruction.

Step by Step Instructions

Vanilla Wafer Crust

I recommend using Nabisco Nilla Wafers because not all vanilla wafers absorb the same amount of butter. If using another brand, withhold part of the butter and add as needed. You may need more or less.

Step 1. Add the wafers to the processor bowl. Step 2. Process to form crumbs. Step 3. Add the powdered sugar. Step 4. Pulse to blend completely.

Step 5. Add the butter to the crumbs. Step 6. Toss the crumbs and butter with a fork until the crumbs are uniformly coated. Step 7. Pour them into the pie pan, evening them out. Push the crumbs up the side of the pie plate as well as the bottom. Step 8. Press the crumbs firmly in place by hand or using a measuring cup. Bake as noted.

Step 9. Place the pie crust on a baking sheet and bake as directed. This makes it easier and safer to remove from the oven. When it is cool, waterproof the shell with either semisweet or white chocolate melted with a bit of butter and spreading it over the bottom particularly and sides of the shell. This keeps the bottom of the crust from becoming soggy. Chill the shell briefly to set the chocolate while preparing the rest of the recipe. Step 10. Add the Instant ClearJel to the sugar. Step 11. Whisk together. Step 12. Whisk together the lemon juice, water and red food coloring if using.

Step 13. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients for the filling and mix well. Immediately pour over the strawberries making sure all of them are well coated. Pour the strawberry filling into the crust, evening it out. Step 14. Add the powdered sugar to the cream in a mixing bowl. Step 15. Whip the cream until stiff. Step 16. Fit a piping bag with a #5 open star, fill the bag with the cream and pipe a wreath around the edge of the strawberry pie, leaving the center exposed. Chill the pie until serving.

Storage

While it's true that recipes made with Instant ClearJel can be frozen, I don't suggest freezing this strawberry pie. The texture and looks of the pie can be altered when thawed. It is best to eat this pie the day it is made.

Expert Tips

• If a food processor isn't available, place the wafers in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You may need to do this several times for the amount of the crumbs.
• Simply stir in sifted powdered sugar, then add the butter as called for.
• Be sure to waterproof the crust. It can become soggy from the filling which is off-putting.
• Use either semisweet or white chocolate for the waterproofing.
• Make sure the pie plate is sprayed with a non-stick baking release or the crust can stick making it difficult to remove.
• Do not use regular ClearJel which is sometimes referred to as Cook Type to differentiate it from the Instant version.
• I used Nabisco Nilla Wafers as they are readily available. The amount of butter is geared towards these cookies. Other brands may need more or less butter so I would start with less if using a different brand and increase as needed.

More Easy Summer desserts

If you love this No Bake Strawberry Pie, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you.