Big Boy restaurants are known for their delightful strawberry pies. Located mostly in Michigan with a few locations in other states, fans don’t have to live close by to enjoy this fresh, fruity dessert. With just a few simple ingredients, you can recreate the magic of Big Boy’s famous strawberry pie right in your own kitchen.
What Makes Big Boy’s Strawberry Pie Special?
Unlike many strawberry pie recipes that use strawberry Jell-O in the filling, Big Boy’s pie lets the flavor of fresh strawberries shine through. A homemade glaze is thickened with cornstarch for a bright, sweet-tart flavor that perfectly complements the flaky, buttery crust. Pie lovers agree – this fruit-forward version is the berries!
How to Select the Best Strawberries
Since fresh strawberries are the star ingredient, start with the finest fruit you can find. Choose organic berries for a reduced pesticide load. Check that the berries are brightly red with no white or green patches. They should also appear plump and fresh, not shriveled. The variety and growing conditions affect size more than sweetness.
What’s Needed to Re-Create This Iconic Dessert
To craft a legendary strawberry pie like Big Boy’s at home, you’ll need fresh strawberries along with basic baking ingredients like flour, sugar, salt, butter, cornstarch, vanilla, and food coloring (optional). Top with lightly sweetened whipped cream. Make your own crust or use a pre-made version to simplify preparation.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Refrigerate the pie for up to 5 days, stored in the pie plate and lightly covered in plastic wrap. Allow to completely cool before refrigerating to prevent a soggy crust. Slice and serve cold, finished with a dollop of whipped cream on top for a sweet finishing touch.
With this easy homemade recipe, you can now enjoy the sweet nostalgia of Big Boy’s classic strawberry pie any time. Dig in and relive dessert dreams!
Big Boy’s Strawberry Pie Recipe
Ingredients: Pie Crust Components:
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 4 ounces Butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Strawberry Filling Components:
- 1 cup Water
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Food Coloring
- 1 quart Fresh Strawberries, washed, stemmed, and dried
- 1 pint Whipped Cream, for topping
Instructions: Creating the Pie Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, blend flour, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well-mixed.
- Firmly press this mixture into the base and sides of a 9-inch pie pan, ensuring even coverage.
- Prick the crust all over with a fork.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until it turns light brown. Let it cool completely.
Preparing the Strawberry Filling:
- While the crust is baking, combine water, granulated sugar, salt, cornstarch, and red food coloring in a small saucepan.
- Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens (about 5 minutes).
- Allow this mixture to cool.
- Once the crust is cool, arrange the strawberries in it and pour the cooled glaze over them.
- Refrigerate the pie until the glaze sets.
- Serve each slice with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Enjoy your homemade Big Boy Strawberry Pie, a sweet treat that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends!”
