Strawberry Cream Pie

A dark-chocolate crust and jewel-bright berries brushed with jelly turn this down-home pie into a company-worthy fare.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (9-oz.) package chocolate wafer cookies
• 1/2 (4-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bar, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 qt. fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup red currant jelly
• 1 tablespoon orange liqueur

Directions:

1. 1. Whisk together first 3 ingredients and 2/3 cup sugar in a medium-size heavy saucepan. Whisk together half-and-half and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl; gradually add to cornstarch mixture, whisking constantly.
2. 2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and transfer to a bowl; cover and chill 4 to 24 hours.
3. 3. Preheat oven to 350°. Pulse wafer cookies and chopped chocolate in a food processor 8 to 10 times or until finely crushed. Stir together cookie crumb mixture, melted butter, and remaining 1/3 cup sugar; firmly press mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto lip of a lightly greased 9-inch pie plate.
4. 4. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).
5. 5. Spoon chilled half-and-half mixture into prepared crust. Cut 8 to 10 strawberries in half, and arrange around outer edge of pie (leaving tops on, if desired); hull and slice remaining strawberries, and arrange in center of pie.
6. 6. Cook jelly in a small saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until melted. Remove from heat, and stir in liqueur. Brush jelly mixture gently over strawberries. Chill, uncovered, 30 minutes.

Southern Living
APRIL 2012