This delicious frozen Strawberry Pie will be your go-to pie for the summer. Also known as strawberry margarita pie (add a splash of tequila), the filling is as decadent as ice cream and pairs beautifully with the salty-sweet pretzel crust.
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Why You'll Love This
When I first made this frozen strawberry pie, my husband said that not only was it the best dessert he's ever had, he said it was the best thing he had ever eaten. WOW! What a compliment! Especially coming from my chocolate-loving husband.
The best way I can describe this no-bake strawberry pie is somewhere between creamy strawberry ice cream and a cheesecake. And unlike some other recipes, there's no need to add jello as it gets all its delightful strawberry flavor and light pink tint from the fresh strawberries. Fresh always beats artificial, right??
Why This Recipe Works
This may be our favorite easy summer dessert because it's cold and refreshing. A frozen strawberry pie with cool whip and a pretzel crust is perfect for parties or a family get together like Mother's Day.
It is also extra special because it's a make-ahead dessert, meaning all you have to do at serving time is pull it out of the freezer. So easy!
Perhaps most exciting is how few ingredients this no bake strawberry pie recipe requires. All you need are fresh strawberries, lime juice, some tequila (if you want it), a container of Cool Whip, a can of sweetened condensed milk, some pretzels, butter, and sugar.
I was really surprised at how delicious this crust is. I'd never made a pretzel crust pie before, but let me tell you: it's fantastic!
I could easily make a snack out of the pretzel crust alone. It almost tastes like sugared pecans, a true Southern favorite. It's sweet, salty, and crunchy and goes perfectly with the Cool Whip strawberry pie filling.
You'll be hooked after one bite.
Ingredients
Fresh strawberries - stems and leaves removed.
Lime juice - use the bottle version or use 4 fresh limes (depending on the size of the limes).
Sweetened condensed milk - not evaporated milk!
Cool Whip - let it thaw first.
Pretzels - any shape pretzel will do.
Butter - to make the pretzel crust crispy and flavorful.
Sugar - to give the crust that sweet and salty flavor.
How to Make It
For best results, follow the instructions on the recipe card.
Step 1: Crush the pretzels and combine with melted butter and sugar.
Step 2: Press the crushed pretzel mixture into your pie pan.
Step 3: Remove the stems and purée your strawberries. The easiest way to do this is to place them in a food processor or mini chopper, like mine: Proctor Silex Durable Mini 1.5 Cup Food Processor. Then mix them with the sweetened condensed milk, lime, and tequila (if using). Oh, and no need to get out a mixer. You can easily whisk the filling together.
Step 4: Fold in your defrosted Cool Whip, and you're basically done! So far, you've only invested about 10 minutes of your life into this frozen strawberry pie. Awesome, right?
Step 5: Pour the creamy, dreamy filling into the crust, cover lightly with plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 6 hours.
Step 6: When you're ready to serve, remove the pie from the freezer and let it hang out on your counter for about 15 minutes prior to slicing.
Serve with a fresh strawberry as a garnish and ENJOY!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any leftover pie covered in the freezer. This will keep the pie nice and firm, and it'll stay fresher longer. The pie should keep for up to a week in the freezer, if you have that kind of self control.
That's an easy one, y'all! Just substitute gluten free pretzels in the crust. There are a bunch of brands out there that carry them - Snyder's, Glutino, Trader Joe's, and Utz are just a few.
So now that you've made this delicious pie, what's the best way to transport it? I recently discovered a plastic carrier that's perfect for transporting pies, muffins, and cupcakes. It's the Southern Homewares 3-in-1 Plastic Holder Container. It offers easy-grip handles, a snap-tight lid, and it's made out of durable plastic. Available now on Amazon!
Expert Tips
- The easiest and most low-tech way to crush your pretzels is to put them in a zipper-top bag and whack them with a rolling pin. No rolling pin? No problem! You can also use a meat tenderizer, a large can of food, or even a wine bottle (just go easy since it's made of glass!). If you're in a rush, you can also pulse them in a food processor.
- Want fewer dishes? Mix your crust ingredients together right in the pie pan, then press down to the bottom. That's one less bowl to clean.
- Want to make this yummy frozen margarita pie but strawberries aren't in season? No worries! Get yourself some frozen strawberries (no sugar added) instead, thaw them and proceed as instructed. BOOM! Frozen Strawberry Pie is now a year-round treat.
- To make the slices as beautiful and even as possible, run your knife under hot water between each slice.
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Recipe
Frozen Strawberry Pie with Pretzel Crust
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients
- 1-¼ cup crushed pretzels
- 1 stick of butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Filling Ingredients
- ½ cup crushed or pureed fresh strawberries
- ½ cup lime juice
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar in bowl. Press onto the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate. Place in the refrigerator.
- Mix crushed strawberries, lime juice, and condensed milk in a bowl. A wire whisk works well for mixing.
- Gently fold in the cool whip with a spatula just until blended. Don't stir or whip vigorously.
- Pour strawberry mixture on top of the pretzel crust. Freeze for at least 6 hours (overnight is fine, too). Let thaw on countertop 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
This recipe was originally published in 2020 and was updated in 2022.
Carlee
Well that looks beyond delicious! What a fun springy dessert.
MyKitchenSerenity
Thanks, Carlee! My husband thinks it’s the best thing he’s ever eaten lol.
Rebecca - Glutarama
What a wonderfully simple yet beautifully presented dessert idea, great that it can be made both gluten free and vegan too with simple ingredient switches. #MealPlanMonday