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Strawberry Pizza

A buttery pecan crust, fluffy cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberry topping—a dessert full of family memories.
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chill 3 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Pecan crust
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup butter melted
  • ½ cup pecans finely chopped
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
Cream cheese filling
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 12 ounces Cool Whip thawed in the refrigerator
Strawberry topping
  • 1 package strawberry-flavored gelatin 3 ounces, such as Jell-O
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries sliced
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ cup granulated sugar

Equipment

  • Rimmed pizza pan (or rectangular baking pan)
  • Hand mixer
  • Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Make the pecan crust. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, melted butter, chopped pecans and brown sugar, and stir until evenly moistened. Press onto a rimmed pizza pan in an even layer about ¼ inch thick.
  2. Bake for about 15 minutes, checking a few minutes early, until the edges are lightly golden. Let the crust cool completely.
  3. Make the filling. Using a hand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Gently fold in the Cool Whip in a few additions until evenly combined. Spread over the cooled crust and refrigerate.
  4. Make the strawberry topping. Before heating, whisk the water, gelatin powder, cornstarch, sugar and salt in a saucepan until no cornstarch lumps remain. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns from cloudy red to glossy and translucent, reaches a gentle bubble and thickens. Remove from the heat.
  5. Gently stir in the sliced strawberries. Let the topping cool, refrigerating briefly if needed, until cool and thickened but still spreadable. Stir occasionally and don’t let it set completely in the bowl.
  6. Assemble and chill. Spoon the cooled strawberry topping over the cream cheese layer and spread it evenly. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, until set. Slice, serve cold and enjoy!

Notes

Pan swap: A rectangular baking pan works too. Keep the crust an even thickness and watch the baking time.
Cool each layer: A warm crust or warm topping can melt the filling, so let each layer cool before assembling.
Make ahead & storage: Make it the day before and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Enjoy leftovers within 3 days; the crust softens as it sits.