{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (2024)

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{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (1)

This week my sister gave me a flat of fresh strawberries (that she had picked in her own garden/farm/orchard). Those pretty berries were all I needed to start thinking about delicious fruit desserts. Now normally I’m an all chocolate girl, but in the summer, there is just something so beautiful about desserts that incorporate the bounty of the season. And here in California we are blessed with an almost unlimited supply of gorgeous fruit.

I realized it had been quite a while since I’d made my husbands favorite dessert, cheesecake (it’s really cream cheese pie, but in our house we call it cheesecake… more on that in a minute). I thought the strawberries would complement the cheesecake perfectly, so my plan was set.

I used to make this cheesecake for my husband when we were dating (as teenagers), and most years I try to make it for his birthday. It’s really apretty simple dessert to make, the step that takes the most time is chilling it for 2-3 hours.

Although in our house this has always been called cheesecake, the correct title is Cream Cheese Pie. True cheesecake is a dense, baked dessert usually containing 3 or more packages of cream cheese, along with eggs, sugar and a few other ingredients. Cheesecake is usually baked in a straight sided springform pan. In contrast, this recipe(Cream Cheese Pie) produces avery sweet, smooth dessert that is not baked, but is chilled (and must bekept chilled) to be firm enough to cut.

The recipe is from my Grandmother (although I’m not claiming she created it). My Grandmother was a Home Economics teacher in the 1950’s-60’s and this is one of the recipes from her recipe file.

Graham Cracker Crust

1 1/2 cups (about 20 squares) graham crackers, finely crushed

1/3 cup butter, melted

3 Tablespoons sugar

~Directions~

Heat oven to 350*F

Mix together crumbs, butter and sugar (I usually just do this right in the pie plate).

{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (2)

Once combined, press the mixture firmly against the bottom and side of a 9 x 1 1/4 inches pie plate.

{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (3)

Bake 10 minutes, or until light brown. Remove from oven and cool.

Cream Cheese Pie

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature

1 (15oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh if possible)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

~Directions~

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add the condensed milk, beat until fully incorporated. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Pour mixture into a cooled, Graham Cracker Crust.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours.

Before serving, top with fresh fruit, fresh strawberry sauce (recipe below), or toppings of your choice. Also delicious plain.

Fresh Strawberry Sauce

1 basket/pint strawberries

2 Tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons corn starch

3 Tablespoons water

Chop/blendabout half of the strawberries (5-7 strawberries) and the waterin a food processor or blender. Pour theblended strawberries (and their juice) into a mesh strainer, sitting over a bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to press the mixture through the strainer.

{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (4)

In a small saucepan,mix the sugar and cornstarch. Slowly add the strained strawberry juice, whisking to combine. Heat mixture to a boil and boil about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool.

Chop remaining strawberries into pea sized pieces and add to the cooled strawberry/sugar mixture. Chill until ready to use.

How to Make Cream Cheese Pie

{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (5)

Cream Cheese Pie

A very sweet, smooth dessert that is not baked, but is chilled (and must bekept chilled) to be firm enough to cut.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 12 mins

Chill 3 hrs

Total Time 3 hrs 32 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 266 kcal

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 1 1/2 cups graham crackers about 20 squares, finely crushed
  • 1/3 cup butter melted
  • 3 tablespoons sugar

Cream Cheese Pie

  • 8 oz cream cheese 1 package, room temperature
  • 15 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice fresh if possible
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh Strawberry Sauce

  • 1 pint strawberries 1 basket
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust

  • Heat oven to 350*F

  • Mix together crumbs, butter and sugar (I usually just do this right in the pie plate).

  • Once combined, press the mixture firmly against the bottom and side of a 9 x 1 1/4 inches pie plate.

  • Bake 10 minutes, or until light brown. Remove from oven and cool.

Cream Cheese Pie

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add the condensed milk, beat until fully incorporated. Add lemon juice and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

  • Pour mixture into a cooled, Graham Cracker Crust.

  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours.

  • Before serving, top with fresh fruit, fresh strawberry sauce (recipe below), or toppings of your choice. Also delicious plain.

Fresh Strawberry Sauce

  • Chop/blend about half of the strawberries (5-7 strawberries) and the water in a food processor or blender.

  • Pour the blended strawberries (and their juice) into a mesh strainer, sitting over a bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to press the mixture through the strainer.

  • In a small saucepan, mix the sugar and cornstarch. Slowly add the strained strawberry juice, whisking to combine. Heat mixture to a boil and boil about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool.

  • Chop remaining strawberries into pea sized pieces and add to the cooled strawberry/sugar mixture. Chill until ready to use.

  • Top a slice of the Cream Cheese Pie with the Fresh Strawberry Sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 5gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 188mgPotassium: 254mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 364IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 142mgIron: 1mg

Keyword cream cheese pie

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

{Recipe} Cream Cheese Pie (2024)

FAQs

What is cream cheese pie made of? ›

Combine cream cheese, eggs, 1 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on low speed until smooth. Pour filling into graham cracker crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes.

What is the difference between cream pie and cheesecake? ›

So, while both cheesecake and cream pie are rich and creamy desserts, the main difference lies in their texture, ingredients, and method of preparation. Cheesecake has a denser texture and is made with cream cheese, while cream pie has a custard-like filling thickened with cornstarch or flour.

Why is my cream cheese pie runny? ›

Why is my cream cheese pie runny? The pie may turn out runny if you don't use block-style cream cheese that is full fat. You also have to chill the pie for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight for it to truly set.

What is cream cheese filling made of? ›

ingredients
  1. 2 ounces cream cheese, softened.
  2. 1 tablespoon butter, softened.
  3. 14 cup powdered sugar.
  4. 12 teaspoon vanilla extract.

What is the thickener commonly used in cream pies? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

How do you thicken cream cheese pie filling? ›

  1. Increase the Amount of Cream Cheese: Adding more cream cheese to the filling can help thicken it. ...
  2. Add Sour Cream: Incorporating sour cream into the filling can add thickness and tanginess. ...
  3. Use Greek Yogurt: Similar to sour cream, Greek yogurt can be added to the filling to increase thick.
Jun 1, 2023

What is the old slang cheesecake? ›

It was used figuratively for "soft, effeminate" from 18c. The modern slang meaning dates from 1933; a "Time" magazine article from 1934 defined it as "leg-pictures of sporty females." In its early years this sense of the word often was associated with film star Marlene Dietrich.

Why is Boston cream pie called pie instead of cake? ›

A Boston cream pie is a cake with a cream filling. The dessert acquired its name when cakes and pies were cooked in the same pans, and the words were used interchangeably. In the late 19th century, this type of cake was variously called a "cream pie", a "chocolate cream pie", or a "custard cake".

Is heavy cream or sour cream better for cheesecake? ›

Sour Cream: This gave it more of a tart taste. This could be utilized if you are going to make a flavored cheesecake where a more tart taste would help the other flavors. I think it would work really well with a lemon or lime flavored cheesecake. Heavy Whipping Cream: This gave it more of a milky taste.

Why didn't my cream cheese pie set up? ›

If your cream cheese is too soft, the pie filling may not set up correctly. Sweetened condensed milk. One 14-ounce can of full-fat sweetened condensed milk sweetens the dessert and provides a smooth texture.

How can I thicken my cream cheese? ›

Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture. Avoid adding more than 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) of cornstarch per 8 oz (226 grams) of cream cheese.

Can you over mix no bake cheesecake? ›

If you are making a plain cheesecake such as my no-bake vanilla cheesecake, you can probably get away with cold ingredients, but generally the cream cheese should be room temp. Often a cheesecake mixture can split or curdle because of over mixing – I often get comments of 'how long do I mix for?

What is the red stuff in cream cheese? ›

Microbial action: Cream cheese production involves the addition of lactic acid bacteria, which can react with other components of the cheese and cause it to turn pink. If this is the case, the cheese can still be safely consumed.

Is Philadelphia block cream cheese? ›

Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese. It is one of the best selling brands of cream cheese worldwide, first produced in 1872 and currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International.

Does all cream cheese have gum in it? ›

It is basically made from milk and cream. But if you look carefully to your favorite cream cheese brand you may see other ingredients as carob bean gum or carrageenan. Those are thickening ingredients that are added by industry manufacturers to get more stabilized products and extend its shelf life.

What is cream pie filling made of? ›

A cream pie, crème pie, or creme pie is a type of pie filled with a rich custard or pudding that is made from milk, cream, sugar, wheat flour, and eggs and typically topped with whipped cream. Cream pies are usually what is used for pieing, or throwing a pie in someone's face.

What's the difference between cheese pie and cheesecake? ›

What Is the Difference Between Cheesecake and Cheesecake Pie? Today's cheesecake pie is like a regular cheesecake, only (1) the filling layer isn't as thick and tall and (2) you bake it in a pie dish instead of a springform pan.

What makes cheesecake a pie? ›

Although it has the term “cake” in its name, some argue that cheesecake is baked inside a crust, which makes it a pie.

What's the difference between custard pie and cream pie? ›

In North America, "custard pie" commonly refers to a plain mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and sometimes nutmeg combined with a pie crust. It is distinctly different from a cream pie, which contains cooked custard poured into a cooled, precooked crust.

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