The inspiration for this pie came from Big Boy, an American company known for its excellent strawberry pie.
Strawberry pie is delicious even if you’ve never heard of big boy. The neat thing is that you needn’t worry if you’re craving strawberry pie but don’t live in the United States or have any way to acquire some.
This pie is reminiscent of the Big Boy’s strawberry pie, but it’s even better than the original version. If you like strawberry pie, this is the pie for you; once you try it, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it.
Hopefully, you are fortunate enough to live in a portion of the United States where you have access to a Big Boy. There aren’t too many people who can say they live close enough to a grocery store to buy a Big Boy strawberry pie whenever they want. But, it’s not hard to make one on your own.
Dessert of Choice at Big Boy Restaurants
The summer season isn’t complete without a slice of homemade strawberry pie. This Strawberry Pie is reminiscent of the pies served at Big Boy’s restaurants, and its sweet and tangy filling pairs wonderfully with the light, flaky crust.
The strawberry pie at Big Boy restaurants has been a staple since the chain’s inception in 1936. Besides from Michigan, you can also find Big Boy restaurants in California, North Dakota, and Ohio.
This strawberry pie recipe is perfect for anyone, regardless of proximity to a Big Boy. It’s simple to whip up even if you don’t think of yourself as much of a baker, which is great because once you sample it, you’ll want to keep eating it over and over again.
Ingredients
Pie Crust ingredients:
1 cup of flour of any kind
a pat of butter, about 4 ounces, at room temperature
Sifted Powdered Sugar, 3 Tablespoons
a single teaspoon of vanilla extract
Strawberry pie filling ingredients:
Water, one cup’s worth
One-third of a cup of white sugar
About a quarter of a teaspoon of salt
To thicken, use 2 teaspoons of cornstarch
A crimson food dye of the equivalent of a quarter teaspoon
1 quart of de-stemmed, dried, and rinsed strawberries
One pint of whipped cream, for decoration.
Turn the oven on to 350 degrees and get ready a pie dish that has been buttered.
The crust is made by combining butter, vanilla, flour, and powdered sugar in a bowl and then pressing the mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a pan. Use a fork and pierce the pie crust all over once you’ve inserted it.
Put it in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden. The next step is to remove it completely from the oven and set it aside to cool.
For the pie filling:
While the pie crust is baking, you can prepare the filling.
Put the water, salt, sugar, cornstarch, and food coloring into a small pot and stir until combined.
Stirring frequently, prepare this over moderate heat. Maintain a consistent rate of stirring if you want a thick final product. This process will take about 5 minutes to thicken up correctly.
Remove from heat and set to one side to cool completely.
When that is cooling, grab the berries and place them inside the crust. Once the glaze you’ve prepared has cooled, pour it over the top and gently shake the pie to distribute the glaze evenly.
Let the finished product to rest and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or until the glaze has fully hardened.
To make the most of this dish’s potential as a topping, remove it from the oven, slice it, and serve it with a heaping spoonful of whipped dessert or whipped cream.
Tips
How do I properly put this away?
Keep this pie in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it so that nothing spoils.
Save leftovers in the refrigerator and cut into slices just before serving. It’s up to the individual whether or not they want to warm it up before eating it.
Do you know what kind of strawberry pie Big Boy serves?
Big Boy’s Strawberry Pie is a dessert pie layered with a sweet cream cheese filling, fresh strawberries, and a strawberry gelatin and cornstarch glaze.
Can you only get Big Boy’s strawberry pie at Big Boy restaurants?
Located largely in the United States, Big Boy restaurants are known for serving a trademark strawberry pie.
Where can I get a recipe for Big Boy’s strawberry pie?
There are, in fact, a plethora of internet strawberry pie recipes that all claim to be able to provide the same results as those served at Big Boy restaurants. However, the specific recipe is strictly guarded, so the flavor and consistency may change depending on which one is utilized.
When did Big Boy’s strawberry pie go bad?
The fresh strawberries and cream cheese filling in Big Boy’s famous strawberry pie degrade quickly, so it’s best to eat it as soon as possible after buying or making it. The pie is best served within two to three days of making it.
May I freeze some of Big Boy’s wonderful strawberry pie?
Big Boy’s famous strawberry pie contains fresh strawberries and cream cheese, both of which can become mushy if frozen and then thawed. The pie is best served either right after baking or after being stored in the fridge for a few days.
My question is whether or not you can use frozen strawberries in Big Boy’s recipe for his legendary strawberry pie.
The pie can be made with frozen strawberries, but they should be thawed and the extra liquid drained before being used. If fresh strawberries are unavailable, you can use frozen strawberries as a substitute. Their texture and flavor may not be exactly the same, but they will still work.
Can I substitute something else for the gelatin in Big Boy’s strawberry pie?
To achieve its signature bright red color and firm texture, Big Boy’s strawberry pie has historically been glazed with strawberry gelatin. The use of cornstarch or arrowroot powder as a thickening allows a glaze to be prepared without gelatin. Just thicken the strawberry mixture by cooking it with sugar and cornstarch, then pour it over the cream cheese filling and chill.
In what ways can I ensure that my pie crust doesn’t become soggy?
Before adding the cream cheese filling and strawberries, blind baking the pie crust can help prevent the crust from becoming mushy. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork and bake it for about 10-15 minutes, or until faintly golden, to blind bake it. To prevent the filling from seeping through the crust, you can either use a thin coating of egg white or melted chocolate on the inside of the crust.
If I wanted to make Big Boy’s famous strawberry pie, could I use a store-bought pie dough instead?
Certainly, a store-bought pie crust will do, but homemade pie crusts are more popular due to their buttery, flakier texture and flavor. If you’re using a premade crust, bake and cool it as directed on the package.
My question is about Big Boy’s strawberry pie; how should I keep it in the fridge.
Keep the pie in the fridge to preserve the fresh strawberries and cream cheese filling from Big Boy’s famous strawberry pie. Wrap the pie in plastic or foil and keep it in the fridge for up to two days. Avoid storing at room temperature, as doing so could hasten the spoiling of the pie.