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!
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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
Copycat McDonald’s Strawberry Cream Pie Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
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
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.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
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.
Could you do it in a pie dish instead of individually doing these? Like one big pie?
Thank You soooo much Becky!! McDonald’s strawberry custard pie is my weakness too, but I am so glad that I found this recipe and guess what it’s better than McDonald’s!! I Love it!! Thanks!! ?
YAY! Love to hear this. Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi!!
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!
Ours isn’t selling them right now either!!! I love them. Hope you guys love the recipe, thanks so much for stopping by!
Is the peach pie with cream cheese too bc that sounds yummy as the strawberry ones that im addicted to as well im be doin a peach and a strawberry version like this recipe next time i go shopping on the 8th
made this just like it said but instid of 6 med/sm size it made 13 pot holder size ones… taste good and look good though
Hmm…that is strange! But I guess you can never have too many haha. Sorry the recipe turned out double time for you but I’m glad you liked it!
I haven’t had McDonald’s in years and years and years. I did always love their pies though – apple, cherry, pumpkin. I had no idea they had strawberry cream ones though. I’ll have to check out this recipe instead of heading to the golden arches!
I’m so glad you stopped by Laura!! These were so good. But you mentioning their pumpkin pies have got my wheels spinning again! Yum!
I bet yours is much better then mcdonalds
Ha, thanks Tim!! At least its slightly more healthy :). Thanks for stopping by!!
So cute! I have never had a McDonald’s Strawberry Pie but I totally want one of your copycat version!
Thanks Heather!! Their pies are delicious but this version is way healthier. Hope you love it :)
These look so yummy I have a weakness for these strawberry cream pies to hopefully I can just make it myself and stop my cravings You thank you so much it looks so very very yummy
They’re my weakness too!!! Thanks for saying hi :)
These look good! and easy:) I keep all of these ingredients in the fridge regularly so I could easily throw this together for breakfast!
I love that!! Thanks for stopping by :)
These look absolutely scrumptious! Yours are way prettier than McDonalds strawberry cream pie too! They should hire you to do theirs.
Now THAT would be awesome!! Haha!!
I haven’t seen the Micky D’s version since I was a kid but yes it bring back some pretty good memories. It looks not only adorable but I must have, I mean a must eat! The vanilla bean on top sets it off very nicely.
Thanks Tom! My McDonalds currently carries these and they’re my weakness! Thanks so much for stopping by :)