*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                          Perfect Strawberry Pie

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Desserts

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      8 Ounce       Package Fat-Free Cream Cheese
                        (In A Bar, Not A Spreadable Cheese)
     1/3  Cup           Granulated Sugar
     1/4  Cup           Fat-Free Sour Cream
   1      Teaspoon      Vanilla
   1      9-Inch        (6-Ounce) Packaged Graham Cracker Crust
   3      Cups          Small Or Medium Strawberries (1-Pint)
     1/3  Cup           Red Currant Jelly
   1      Teaspoon      Kirsch Or Other Fruit Brandy -- optional

Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and let soften slightly. 
 Beat until smooth.  

Beat in sugar, followed by sour cream and vanilla. 
 Pour into crust.  Refrigerate, uncovered, while preparing strawberries.

Rinse and hull strawberries.  Pat dry. 
 Halve them lengthwise. 
 Arrange them on top of cream cheese filling,
 beginning at outer edge of pie and placing cut-side down.

Melt jelly with 2 teaspoons water in small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. 
 Remove from heat.  Stir in kirsch. 
 Cool slightly.  Brush or spoon jelly over berries. 
 Spoon remaining jelly in spaces between. 

Refrigerate, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until ready to serve. 
 Refrigerate any leftover pie uncovered.

Variations:
Perfect strawberry pie with strawberry glaze:
 Substitute 1/3 cup strawberry jelly for the red currant jelly.  Do not add water or kirsch.

Perfect raspberry pie: Substitute 2 cups raspberries for the strawberries. 
 Do not halve raspberries.



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