By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 30, 2022
I have a slight obsession with the strawberry cream pie from McDonald’s. It’s a hot, flaky little pocket of strawberries and cream cheese– what’s not to love?! But it can be hard to find in the wild, so I decided to make my own copycat McDonald’s strawberry cream pies, and they are awesome! Crispy, crumbly pastry encasing a fresh strawberry and cream cheese filling makes a delicious combination. I think these hand pies are just as good as (or maybe better) than the McDonald’s ones. And baking these is almost as easy as going out to the drive-thru!
If you’ve never seen McDonald’s strawberry cream pies, don’t feel bad. This sweet treat from the Golden Arches is the less-familiar (and less commonly available) cousin of the classic McDonald’s apple pie . Luckily, I’ve devised a way to make them at home so I never have to go without! Plus, these homemade hand pies are healthier than the ones from McDonald’s and still just as fun to eat. My kids love them!
What’s in This McDonald’s Strawberry Pie Recipe?
- Pie Crust : I used Pillsbury to make this recipe super easy, but when I have the time, I love to make a homemade pie crust instead. It’s even better!
- Strawberries: Hulled and chopped strawberries add a fresh and fruity flavor. You can use fresh or frozen.
- Cream Cheese: I used a low-fat cream cheese to make these pies a little healthier. Full-fat also works; just make sure it is softened.
- Egg: You can use a whole egg (with yolk) or just egg whites. I love Just Whites .
- Vanilla Extract : Enhances the sweet flavor of the filling.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the filling and adds a bit of crunch to the top.
Tips for Success
- Let the cream cheese sit on the counter for at least 15-30 minutes to let it soften.
- Make sure you lightly flour the surface you’re rolling your pastry on, to avoid sticking.
- Be sure to cut some sort of vent in the pastry dough. The hearts look really cut, but you can just cut slits if you prefer.
- Use a fork to press down the top pastry layer into the bottom. Besides sealing the crust, it makes a lovely rustic edging.
- The egg wash helps to brown and crisp up the pie crust in the oven to create the deliciously flaky texture!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover McDonald’s strawberry cream pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying chilled, at room temperature, or heated in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
5-Star Review
“Thank you! My daughter and I are both addicted to the McDonalds Strawberry Creme Pies and unfortunately a lot of the restaurants around us are doing the yearly discontinuation of that pie in favor of the peach pie. Now, we can make our own at home. She will be so excited!” -Taren
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 15 ounces refrigerated pie crust 425 grams (1 package)
- ▢ 2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries 334 grams, fresh or frozen
- ▢ 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese 227 grams, room temperature (1 brick)
- ▢ 1 large egg 50 grams, whisked
- ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ▢ 3½ tablespoons granulated sugar 44 grams, divided
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- In a food processor, process the strawberries with ½ tablespoon of sugar. Set aside. 2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries, 3½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the egg, cream cheese, remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla. Blend until fluffy. 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, 1 large egg, 3½ tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Unroll the 2 pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 12 rectangles (6 per sheet of dough). 15 ounces refrigerated pie crust
- Cut a small slit or heart into 6 of the rectangles (to allow steam to escape).
- Place a spoonful of cream cheese filling next to a spoonful of the strawberry mixture onto each of the other 6 rectangles (without the slits), leaving room along the edge. (You can also put down the cream cheese first, and top with the strawberries.)
- Cover each filled rectangle with a layer of dough (the pieces with the slits) and use a fork to secure the edges well.
- Brush lightly with egg and sprinkle with a little extra sugar if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned. Let cool before enjoying.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Food Processor
- Hand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information is calculated using refrigerated pie crusts, not a homemade recipe.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make a McDonald’s Strawberry Cream Pie Step by Step
Make the Jam: Preheat your oven to 450°F. In a food processor, process 2 cups of hulled and chopped strawberries with ½ tablespoon of granulated sugar. Set aside.
Sweeten the Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together 1 large egg, 8 ounces (1 brick) of low-fat cream cheese, the remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Blend until fluffy.
Cut the Dough: Unroll 2 pie crusts (from a 15-ounce container) onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 12 rectangles (6 per sheet of dough).
Cut Vent Holes: Cut a small slit or heart into 6 of the rectangles (to allow steam to escape).
Fill the Pies: Place a spoonful of cream cheese filling next to a spoonful of the strawberry mixture onto each of the other 6 rectangles (without the slits), leaving room along the edge. (You can also put down the cream cheese first, and top with the strawberries.)
Bake the Pies: Cover each filled rectangle with a layer of dough (the pieces with the slits) and use a fork to secure the edges well. Brush lightly with egg and sprinkle with a little extra sugar if desired. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned. Let cool before enjoying.
More Pie Recipes to Try!
Strawberry Jello Pie
Lemon Meringue Pie (Make Ahead!)
Caramel Pie
Easy Strawberry Shortcake Pie Recipe
Copycat McDonald’s Strawberry Cream Pie Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Food Processor
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 15 ounces refrigerated pie crust 425 grams (1 package)
- 2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries 334 grams, fresh or frozen
- 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese 227 grams, room temperature (1 brick)
- 1 large egg 50 grams, whisked
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 3½ tablespoons granulated sugar 44 grams, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- In a food processor, process the strawberries with ½ tablespoon of sugar. Set aside. 2 cups hulled and chopped strawberries, 3½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the egg, cream cheese, remaining 3 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla. Blend until fluffy. 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, 1 large egg, 3½ tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Unroll the 2 pie crusts onto a lightly floured surface and cut into 12 rectangles (6 per sheet of dough). 15 ounces refrigerated pie crust
- Cut a small slit or heart into 6 of the rectangles (to allow steam to escape).
- Place a spoonful of cream cheese filling next to a spoonful of the strawberry mixture onto each of the other 6 rectangles (without the slits), leaving room along the edge. (You can also put down the cream cheese first, and top with the strawberries.)
- Cover each filled rectangle with a layer of dough (the pieces with the slits) and use a fork to secure the edges well.
- Brush lightly with egg and sprinkle with a little extra sugar if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly browned. Let cool before enjoying.
Video
Notes
- Nutritional information is calculated using refrigerated pie crusts, not a homemade recipe.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
