Easy Strawberry Jello Pie
This easy, no-bake Easy Strawberry Jello Pie is lighter than air and full of delicious fruit flavor. It’s the perfect ending for a summer party and just may be the most effortless dessert you’ll make all year.
Fresh strawberries may be my favorite fruit. I could easily indulge in an entire pint all by myself. But when they’re combined with jello and creamy whipped topping for a delicious dessert that doesn’t have to be baked, I am truly in heaven.
The texture of this sweet retro delicacy is as light as a feather. The fruit, jello, and cool whip come together to make a smooth, creamy pie that’s so easy you can make it in the morning and be ready to enjoy it by lunchtime.
The pretty pink color is great for your spring table or Easter table. Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream and a few sweet-tart juicy strawberry slices for a beautiful presentation following a dinner of roasted leg of lamb and fresh, roasted asparagus.
This delicious pie is also great for an after-dinner treat on hot summer days. With its fresh, in-season strawberries, it’s going to become one of your favorite summer desserts.
Recipe Quick View
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 15 Minutes Active Time; 4 Hours Inactive
Servings: 8
Primary Ingredient(s): Strawberry Jello, Cool Whip, Fresh Strawberries, Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Skill Level: Easy
Why I Recommend This Recipe
- It’s very quick and easy to make.
- There’s no baking!
- You can make it well ahead.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
“So simple yet so good!“
— Valerie Steen
You’ll also find this recipe in my cookbook!
You can see this recipe on pages 292-293 of my cookbook, My Southern Table! Get your signed copy today.
Ingredient Notes
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- Whipped Topping — The most popular brand is Cool Whip, but less expensive store brands work just as well.
- Fresh Strawberries — Choose sweet strawberries that are fully ripe and free from blemishes.
- Graham Cracker Crumb Crust — Use a store-bought graham cracker crust or make one from scratch.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How I Make Easy Strawberry Jello Pie
- In a small saucepan or tea kettle, bring 2/3 cup water to a boil.
- Empty the strawberry jello into a large mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and stir until the jello is completely dissolved.
- Add 2 cups of ice to the hot gelatin mixture. Stir or whisk until the jello has thickened. Remove any extra pieces of ice.
- Add the whipped topping.
- Whisk together until smooth.
- Fold in the diced strawberries.
- Pour the jello mixture into the prepared pie shell.
- Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve cold with a dollop of whipped cream and a fresh strawberry on top, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- If you’d rather avoid purchased whipped topping, you can substitute homemade whipped cream instead. You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream to equal an 8-ounce carton of whipped topping (Cool Whip).
- To make serving easier, use a thin, sharp knife and run it under hot water between each slice.
- Don’t try to substitute frozen strawberries in this recipe. They contain too much liquid and will prevent the pie from setting up.
Variations
- Sugar-free jello and sugar-free Cool Whip both work great in this recipe!
- Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
- Drizzle chocolate syrup over each serving for a delicious additional flavor.
- Use any flavor of jello you like to make unique pies. Raspberry jello with fresh raspberries; blueberry jello with fresh blueberries, and so forth all make beautiful pies.
- Crush freeze-dried strawberries and sprinkle the pieces on top of the finished pie for a crunchy texture contrast.
- Try a chocolate graham cracker crumb crust for a fantastic variation!
- If making a graham cracker crust from scratch, substitute half the graham crackers with crushed pretzels for a nice salty and sweet combination.
How to Store
Cover the leftover pie and store it in the refrigerator for up to five days. Freezing is not recommended for any recipe containing gelatin because it loses its texture when frozen.
Questions About Strawberry Jello Pie
Yes. Obviously, you must make the pie advance in order for it to have time to firm up. Give it at least four hours in the refrigerator, preferably overnight and up to two days ahead of serving.
The most likely causes of a runny jello or gelatin-based pie are (1) adding too much water or using watery fruit – be careful when measuring the water – and (2) leaving the pie out of the refrigerator – it requires chilling to firm up or “set.”
Unfortunately, no. Recipes containing gelatin are not recommended for freezing. Gelatin will break down and lose its texture during the freezing-thawing process.
Questions? I’m happy to help!
If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Recipe
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Easy Strawberry Jello Pie
Ingredients
- 3 ounces strawberry jello
- 2/3 cup boiling water
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 8 ounces whipped topping (Cool Whip brand recommended)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries diced
- 9 ounces graham cracker pie crust
Instructions
- In a small saucepan or tea kettle, bring 2/3 cup water to a boil.
- Empty the strawberry jello into a large mixing bowl. Add the boiling water and stir until the jello is completely dissolved.
- Add 2 cups of ice to the hot gelatin mixture. Stir or whisk until the jello has thickened. Remove any extra pieces of ice.
- Add the whipped topping.
- Whisk together until smooth.
- Fold in the diced strawberries.
- Pour the mixture into the crust.
- Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Serve cold with a dollop of whipped cream and a fresh strawberry on top, if desired.
Notes
- If you’d rather avoid purchased whipped topping, substitute with freshly whipped heavy cream. You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream to equal an 8 ounce carton of whipped topping (Cool Whip).
- Don’t try to substitute frozen strawberries in this recipe. They contain too much liquid and will prevent the pie from setting up.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on March 18, 2022. It has been updated with additional information.
can I use sugar free jello in this recipe?
Yes, you can.
Have you considered using frozen strawberries instead of ice cubes to thicken the jello?
I haven’t tried that.
So simple yet so good!
Thank you. And, yes, it is!