Chocolate Drizzled Strawberries and Cream Pie

I was really happy to see this recipe pop up a few weeks ago. I love strawberries, and I love pies, but I have a thing about fruit pies. I haven't quite figured out if it is that I don't like warm fruit, I don't like cooked fruit, or if I just don't like mushy pureed fruit. Probably a combination of all of the above. So this pie was perfect for me, plus it turned out beautifully (which you would know if I could take a decent picture, I'm working on it - promise). With strawberries as beautiful and cheap as they are right now, and such an easy delicious recipe, you should give it a try! I also made a delicious strawberry soup the other day, it was divine, but I forgot to take a picture, whoops!

Chocolate-Drizzled Strawberries and Cream Pie
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 quart fresh strawberries (frozen’s not gonna cut it here)
1 8-oz. package cream cheese at room temperature (light is fine)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 9″ graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade, I have the easiest and best graham cracker crust recipe that I will post soon, I will be so disappointed if you ever buy a crust again)
1-2 ounces chocolate

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. In a separate large bowl, beat the whipping cream and powdered sugar until medium peaks form. Add about 1 c. of the whipping cream mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until smooth and well-combined. Add the remaining whipping cream mixture and mix until just combined. Spread in the graham cracker crust and refrigerate for a few minutes while you prepare the strawberries.

Wash the strawberries and cut off the stems. Blot dry with a paper towel and then gently press, cut side down, into the whipped cream mixture. Set aside.

If using a chocolate bar, break it into equal pieces and place in a small Ziploc bag. Microwave for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stopping the microwave every 20 seconds to mash the bag. You want the chocolate to be melted but not hot at all. When the chocolate is melted, snip a corner off the bag and drizzle it over the strawberries. Refrigerate for at least three hours before serving. Serves 8.