Strawberries and pizza, two foods that we don’t typically think of together, right? But hear me out. This Strawberry Pizza is the sweet twist your tastebuds have been waiting for. It’s a dessert pizza that blends the sweetness of strawberries with the richness of cream cheese, all layered on a sweet, crumbly crust. The result? Pure, mouthwatering deliciousness! This recipe has its roots in the southern parts of the United States, where folks love their dessert pies. And this one is a crowd-pleaser for sure – the sweetness of the strawberries, the tang from the cream cheese, and the crunch from the pecans work together to create a harmony of flavors that’s simply irresistible! The best part? It’s super easy to prepare. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is a breeze. And don’t worry if you don’t have fresh strawberries on hand – frozen ones will work just fine too. So, why do I love this recipe? Because it’s a perfect fusion of two of my favorite things – pizza and dessert. It’s also a great way to use up those extra strawberries during the summer. And trust me, once you’ve tried this Strawberry Pizza, you’ll be making it again and again!
Ingredients
- 2 sticks melted butter
- 2 c. plain flour
- 1/3 c. light brown sugar
- 1 c. chopped pecans
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. softened cream cheese
- 3 c. sifted confectioners sugar
- 1 large Cool Whip (8 oz.)
- 1 c. sugar
- 1 c. water
- 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 3 Tbsp. strawberry jello
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 pt. fresh strawberries
Baking Instructions
- Crust:
- Mix first 4 ingredients.
- Press into a rectangular pan.
- Brown lightly at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool.
Calorie: 350
Total cooking time: 45 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
When Pizza Met Strawberry: A Love Story
Prologue: The Gathering of the Ingredients
If you’ve ever thought that pizza and strawberries were star-crossed lovers, kept apart by the cruel conventions of traditional cuisine, you’re in for a treat! Picture this: me in my kitchen, armed with two sticks of melted butter, 2 cups of plain flour, a third of a cup of light brown sugar, a cup of chopped pecans, and cream cheese. Oh, the cream cheese! The stuff dreams are made of, softened to perfection, just like my heart when I spotted the 8 oz. package in the dairy aisle.
Chapter 1: The Birth of the Crust
Now, the crust. The butter, flour, light brown sugar, and pecans all went into a bowl. It was like watching a culinary United Nations in my kitchen, each ingredient coming together for the greater good. A quick mix later, they were ready to be pressed into a rectangular pan. But not without a little fight, of course. The dough put up a good resistance, clinging to the spoon, the bowl, my hands. But I prevailed, and into the oven it went. 20 to 25 minutes at 350°, just enough time for a well-deserved coffee break.
Chapter 2: The Sweetest Pause
While the crust was browning lightly (and by lightly, I mean turning a delicious shade of golden brown), I had some time to ponder the meaning of life. And by life, I mean sugar. Three cups of sifted confectioners sugar, to be exact. There’s something almost zen-like about the process of sifting sugar. Watching those tiny granules fall like snowflakes, it’s easy to lose track of time. And remember, folks, it’s all about the journey, not the destination – unless the destination is a strawberry pizza, in which case, hurry up already!
Chapter 3: The Plot Thickens, Like My Topping
Now, the topping. A cup of sugar, a cup of water, 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, and 3 tablespoons of strawberry jello walked into a pot. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, right? But there was nothing funny about the luscious, thick sauce that started to form. Add in a tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 pints of fresh strawberries, and I was in foodie heaven. Just remember, folks, no matter how tempting it is, don’t taste the sauce yet. Patience is a virtue, and not burning your tongue on hot strawberry sauce is a bonus.
Chapter 4: The Grand Finale
Finally, the moment of truth. The cooled crust was spread with the cream cheese and sugar concoction, topped with the Cool Whip, and then smothered in the strawberry sauce. And there it was, my masterpiece, my magnum opus: The Strawberry Pizza.
And let me tell you, it tasted even better than it looked. The crunch of the pecans, the sweetness of the sugar, the tang of the strawberries – it was a symphony of flavors. And the best part? I got to eat the leftovers for breakfast. Because in my world, there’s no such thing as too much strawberry pizza.
Epilogue: The Aftermath
So there you have it, folks. A tale of butter, flour, and strawberries. A tale of love, laughter, and the occasional curse word when the crust stuck to the pan. But most importantly, a tale of delicious, delicious food. Because in the end, isn’t that what it’s all about?
