Shoney’s Strawberry Pie (+ Easy Recipe)

Enjoy an old-fashioned dessert with this easy copycat Shoney’s strawberry pie recipe!

It’s light, refreshing, and absolutely bursting with berry flavor.

If you happen to live in the South or Midwest, you probably know of the legendary dessert that is Shoney’s strawberry pie.

It’s essentially just strawberries and jello in a pie crust. But it is heavenly.

Despite its simplicity, the pie highlights strawberries in all their sweet-smelling glory.

And if you’re unfamiliar with the restaurant, don’t fret: this copycat recipe for Shoney’s strawberry pie will give you the same strawberry experience.

So, ready your taste buds for a berry special treat! Let’s get to it.

Shoney’s Strawberry Pie (With Jello)

There are three things I love about this copycat dessert.

First, it’s stunning. Just look at it and tell me it doesn’t take your breath away.

Second, it tastes awesome. I mean, you really can’t go wrong with fresh strawberries in a pie crust, can you?

Lastly, it’s a cinch to make. The only thing you need to bake is the crust (unless you get a pre-made, no-bake crust, of course).

Thanks to jello, all you’ll need is to refrigerate the pie and wait for it to set. 

That’s the only drawback – you must wait at least two hours before serving it. 

It’s worth the wait, though, I swear!

Ingredients

This pie couldn’t be easier to make. All you need is five ingredients and about 15 minutes!

• Strawberries – Fresh is best, but you can go for frozen if need be.
  • Make sure all strawberries are even in size so it’s easier to eat.
  • Slice larger strawberries in half or quarters, if needed.
• Granulated Sugar – Strawberries are wonderfully sweet, but you’ll still need a bit of sugar to sweeten the pie.
• Cornstarch – Combine this with sugar and water to form a thick glaze.
• Strawberry Jello – It helps the pie firm up without the need to bake it.
  • Strawberry flavor is the obvious choice, but you can also go for plain and other berry flavors.
  • Also, you don’t need to get real Jell-O. Any brand will do as long as you like the flavor.
• Pie Shell – Let’s not make life hard. Instead of making a pie crust from scratch, just go for store-bought.

How to Make Shoney’s Strawberry Pie

Okay, this recipe is so easy, it’s almost embarrassing. 

1. Make the sugar glaze.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, water, and cornstarch. Stir the mixture until it gets thick and shiny.

You’ll know it’s ready when it’s able to coat the back of a spoon.

2. Add the jello.

Adding jello will thicken the glaze further and help it set. Be sure to mix well until the jello is completely dissolved.

You can also test for doneness by rubbing the glaze between your fingers. It’s ready when you don’t feel any jello crystals.

Here’s another good indicator: check how it looks. Once the mixture turns from cloudy to transparent, it’s ready.

Set the mixture aside to cool. 

3. Assemble and refrigerate the pie.

Arrange the strawberries in a pre-baked pie shell. Pour the jello mixture and pop the pie into the fridge.

Allow the pie to set in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

4. Serve and enjoy.

Top the pie with whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Pie

• Wash the berries a day in advance. This way, they’ll be super dry by the time you use them.
• You can slice and arrange the strawberries however you want. I like to cut them into equal, bite-sized pieces, so the pie’s a lot easier to eat.
  • If I feel fancy, I’ll form a lovely spiral strawberry pattern.
  • Most times, I just dump them in! 
• For a deeper tint of red, add a few drops of red food color to the jello mixture. I like gel colors the best as they don’t affect the consistency, and a little goes a long way.
• You can use other berries to make this pie. Be sure to adjust the jello flavor, as well. 
• You can also use a no-bake crust for this pie, such as shortbread or Graham Crackers. I’ve even used an Oreo crust before. It was terrific with the sweet berries and whipped cream!
• Be sure the jello mixture has completely cooled before you pour it in. Hot liquid will make the strawberries and pie crust soggy.

FAQs

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

While fresh strawberries are ideal, you can definitely use frozen ones in this recipe. It’ll even help the pie firm up quicker.

Just don’t thaw them beforehand! Instead, toss them with the jello mixture and pour the whole thing into the pie crust.

How to Store Shoney’s Strawberry Pie

Cover leftover strawberry pie in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Do not freeze the pie – the gelatin breaks down when thawed.

More Strawberry Recipes You’ll Love

Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Crunch Cake
Strawberry Milkshake
Strawberry Cobbler
Strawberry Banana Granola Parfaits