Strawberry Glace Pie

I am so fortunate to have a produce farm right down the street from my new home in Vermont. I drive by it every day and could not resist their big sign "Strawberries: Pick Your Own". I wasn't sure how it would work with baby in tow, but I was able to put her in the stroller while I picked strawberries. I went twice, and the second time the strawberries were super ripe. They were absolutely divine. All fruit should be eaten like that - ripe right from the source.

I knew I had to make my mom's favorite - strawberry glace pie. It's very simple if you can make a pie crust (I can't), but even in a bad pie crust, this is a dessert you can't get wrong. Especially if the strawberries are perfect.

Strawberry Glace Pie
from my mother

6 cups strawberries, washed, dried and hulled
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (9-inch) baked pie shell

Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Spread into baked pie shell.

Mash enough strawberries to make 1 cup, and set aside.

Fill the pie shell with the remaining whole strawberries, points up.

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, water, and the reserved mashed strawberries. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils. Cook for 1 minute. Cool slightly.

Pour the cooked strawberry mixture on top of the strawberries in the pie shell. Refrigerate for 3 hours, or until set.