Heidi's Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

Ingredients

• Filling: 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• Filling: ⅔ c sugar
• Filling: 2 t fresh grated orange zest
• Filling: ¼ c fresh squeezed orange juice
• Filling: ¼ c heavy cream
• Glaze: 1 c sugar
• Glaze: ¼ c EZ-Gel (buy on Amazon)
• Glaze: 1 c Simply Strawberry juice
• Glaze: 1 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Glaze: red food coloring, optional
• 1 baked pie crust
• Fresh strawberries, washed and stemmed, enough to cover the top

Method

1. 1

   Combine all of the filling ingredients in a stand mixer (or in a bowl with a hand mixer) and mix until well combined. Pour into the pie crust and chill.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, make the glaze: in a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar and EZ-Gel until combined — this prevents the EZ-Gel from clumping when it hits the liquid.

3. 3

   Slowly pour in the strawberry juice and whisk until the mixture is smooth and all of the dry ingredients are dissolved.

4. 4

   Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil; continue to boil for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Add red food coloring if desired for brighter color. Cool completely.

5. 5

   Place strawberries cut-side down on the chilled pie and pour the cooled glaze over the top. Serve with fresh whipped cream, if desired.