Southern Strawberry Pudding Pie

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Meet the dessert that can’t make up its mind – and we love it for that. Strawberry Pudding Pie is part creamy vanilla pudding, part juicy strawberry pie, and completely irresistible. A crunchy vanilla wafer crust holds layers of fresh strawberries, homemade vanilla cream, and a fluffy golden meringue.

My mother-in-law would make a large bowl of (not banana pudding but rather) strawberry pudding from scratch. She even picked the small strawberries from her garden. It was no wonder that it is one of my husband’s favorite desserts.

After I saw a recipe for Banana Pudding Pie in a magazine, I knew I needed to make a strawberry version. I think of it as an homage to my mother-in-law’s pudding.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Two desserts in one: Think silky pudding meets classic strawberry pie.
• Fresh berry flavor: Sweet, juicy strawberries shine in every bite.
• Show-stopping meringue: Light, airy topping baked to golden perfection.
• Make-ahead friendly: Chill for hours – or overnight – for an easy entertaining dessert.

Ingredients at a Glance

(See the full recipe card below for exact amounts.)

• Pie crusts: Nilla Wafer or shortbread for a buttery, crunchy base.
• Fresh strawberries & vanilla wafers: A sweet, fruity layer with added crunch.
• Vanilla cream filling: Sugar, flour, eggs, yolks, milk, and vanilla create a luscious pudding.
• Meringue topping: Egg whites and sugar whipped to glossy peaks.

Step-by-Step Overview

1. Prep the berries. Slice strawberries and sprinkle with sugar to draw out their natural juices.

1. Cook the vanilla cream. Whisk together sugar, flour, eggs, egg yolks, and milk over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens to the consistency of pudding. Stir in vanilla.
2. Assemble the pies. Spread a thin layer of pudding in each crust, add drained strawberries, layer on vanilla wafers, and top with the remaining pudding.

1. Finish with meringue. Whip egg whites to stiff peaks with sugar and spread over the hot filling, sealing the edges.

1. Bake & chill. Bake until the meringue turns golden. Cool for an hour, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Love fruity desserts that walk the line between creamy and decadent? Check out more SouthernKissed favorites like Homemade Strawberry Muffins, dreamy Strawberry Cream Cheese Pudding Pie, and classic Strawberry Bread. They’re all bursting with berry flavor and perfect for spring or summer gatherings.

Lynda – Southern Kissed

Strawberry Pudding Pie

4.82 from 22 votes

Wow your family and friends with this dessert that combines the creamy goodness of pudding, luscious strawberries, and a sweet meringue topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Additional Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 slices

Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Calories: 543

Ingredients Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 2 Nilla Wafer or Shortbread pie crusts
• 1 box vanilla wafers
• 1 pint strawberries
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Vanilla Cream Filling

• ¾ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Meringue

• 4 egg whites
• ½ cup sugar

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wash strawberries and remove stem. Using an egg slicer, slice strawberries and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar. Set aside.
3. Whisk together ¾ cup sugar, flour, 2 large eggs and 4 egg yolks (save the egg whites for the meringue), and milk in a heavy sauce pan over medium-low heat, whisking constantly for 8 to 10 minutes or until it reaches the thickness of chilled pudding. (The mixture will just begin to bubble and will be thick enough to hold soft peaks when the whisk is lifted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
4. Place a small amount of pudding mixture on bottom of pie crust. Drain syrup from strawberries. Place strawberries on top of pudding layer.
5. Layer remaining vanilla wafers over strawberries. Spoon remaining pudding on top.
6. Beat 4 egg whites on high speed of electric mixer until foamy. Slowly add sugar (about 1 tablespoon at a time), beating until stiff peaks form and sugar has dissolved. Spread over hot filling being sure to seal the edges.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 1 hour or a wire rack or until completely cool. Chill for at least 4 hours.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 543kcalCarbohydrates: 101gProtein: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 230mgFiber: 1gSugar: 52g

Video

Notes

Updated May 2018

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Tips & Variations

• Shortcut crust: Store-bought Nilla Wafer crusts save time, but a homemade shortbread crust is a delicious upgrade.
• Make ahead: Perfect for parties – bake and chill the night before serving.
• Add a twist: Fold in a handful of blueberries for a red, white, and blue pie fit for summer celebrations.

Last Bite

Did this Strawberry Pudding Pie win over your dessert table? Share the recipe with fellow strawberry fans and leave a comment with your favorite way to serve it – straight from the fridge, topped with whipped cream, or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Your feedback makes Southern Kissed even sweeter!