Ponchatoula Strawberry Pie Recipe

Located near the Maurepas and Pontchartrain lakes, the city of Ponchatoula is known for its delicious strawberries. In April, during the peak of Louisiana’s strawberry season, Ponchatoula celebrates this ruby-red berry with the annual Louisiana Strawberry Festival — one of our must-experience spring events.

At the festival, you can enjoy carnival rides, live music, a parade, races and — of course — lots of strawberries! Eat local berries to your heart’s content in almost any way imaginable: fresh-picked strawberries, strawberry shortcake, chocolate-dipped strawberries, deep-fried strawberries, strawberry daiquiris and much more.

If you happen to miss all the fun of the Louisiana Strawberry Festival, cafés and bakeries throughout Louisiana offer delectable strawberry treats. The Creme Fraiche Cafe in Kenner is known for its mouth-watering strawberry pie. In central Louisiana, find Atwood’s Bakery in Alexandria, where you can enjoy a savory breakfast of Florentine French toast with a sweet, juicy strawberry pie to-go. South Louisiana’s The Ambrosia Bakery in Baton Rouge has a wide selection of tasty treats, too.

You can also enjoy the flavors of the Louisiana’s sweetest festival with this Ponchatoula strawberry pie recipe — perfect for serving at spring gatherings!

Ingredients for Strawberry Pie:

• 1 9-inch pie shell, pre-baked
• 1 quart fresh Ponchatoula strawberries
• 1 cup white sugar + 1/2 tablespoon, reserved for whipped cream
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method of preparation:

1. Arrange half of strawberries in baked pie shell.
2. Mash remaining berries and combine with sugar in a medium saucepan. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. 
4. Reduce heat and simmer until thick, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour mixture over berries in the pie shell. 
6. Chill for at least 2 hours. Take whipping cream and beat in a small bowl with 1/2 tablespoon of sugar and vanilla until peaks form. Spread over top of chilled pie. Cut and serve!

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