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!
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)
- Food Processor
- Hand Mixer
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.
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.
Had some extra filling, could I use it to make a regular pie?? Or any other recommendations for the extra cream cheese filling would be greatly appreciated
Sure! This filling would work for a regular pie.
Since I am allergic to eggs, is there anything I can replace eggs with please?
The egg just helps the pastry brown in the oven. You can omit it entirely or brush the pastry with heavy cream instead!
Tried today for first time. Didn’t use enough filling in each one. I think I will add more sugar and a teaspoon of lemon juice to the strawberries.
Modify to your liking!
I to love the McDonald’s Strawberry Cream pies but was wondering has anyone ever tried to make a whole pie instead of individual one
I haven’t, but maybe someone will come through!
Yes. Using slightly different ingredients. Like a homemade glaze for the strawberries & the cream used heavy cream and cream cheese. Delicious! Never have leftovers.
Made these tonight and loved them! Definitely a close enough match to substitute for the fast food version and fix that craving. I ended up making some in tarts and actually liked that better than the hand pies. The only other thing I learned is that the taste of fresh strawberries is strong enough that I prefer a 2:1 ratio of the cream cheese filling to the strawberry filling or the “cream” gets a bit lost.
Oh I bet that was so yummy! I’ll have to try that!
What you mean it gets lost so you saying more 🍓 less cream cheese or vice versa?
So… with summer just starting mcdonalds brought back the strawberry cream pies… and I’m pregnant….well for some reason this time around a high sugar content isn’t working for the tiny growing baby lol. Thank God you posted this recipe. I would have way over complicated a recipe to make them myself. Now I have to convince myself to wait till tomorrow to send my husband to the store for the ingredients lol. Wish me luck :).
This is so awesome. I’m glad you found it too. Congrats on the baby!! :)
Hi becky! Omg are these so good! My daughter and i used to ask how many they had a few times a week and buy them all and Freeze them. I came across this looking for soMething a little different for thanksgiving dessert and used Strawberries(the only fruit i really like) mine are in the oven now! Hope they survive in my house until tomorrow! Thanks for sharing! Great recipe idea!
Yay! SO happy to hear that!
I know I’m a little latest to the game lol! These look scrumptious & I can’t wait to try this recipe! I was wondering if you have tried freezing them after you make them & ifor so, how did they turn out.
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!!