A Simpler Way to Bake a Pie
A strawberry cream cheese galette offers the reward of a homemade pie without the fuss, according to a recent recipe feature. The dessert uses a frozen pie crust, which the recipe notes is a convenient shortcut. Dufour or Trader Joe’s all-butter crust are recommended. The preparation takes about 20 minutes of active time, plus 25 minutes of baking and an hour of cooling.
The galette is assembled by rolling out a defrosted pie crust to a 12-inch round on parchment paper. A layer of whipped cream cheese at room temperature is spread across the center, leaving a 2-inch border. The cream cheese creates a creamy, tangy barrier that soaks up strawberry juices during baking, transforming into a texture that is not quite cheesecake and not quite custard.
One pound of stemmed strawberries, about 5 cups, are sliced and tossed with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, lemon zest, 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. The mixture is mounded over the cream cheese. The dough is folded over the fruit, pleating as it goes, leaving the center exposed. The crust is brushed with beaten egg, and sliced almonds are pressed into the dough after being tossed with extra egg wash. Turbinado sugar is sprinkled on top, and thyme is optional.
The Layer That Makes It Special
The recipe emphasizes the cream cheese layer as a key step. If the cream cheese is not at room temperature, 10 seconds in the microwave makes it spreadable. The galette bakes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the strawberries are bubbling. Some juice may leak onto the parchment, which is normal.
After baking, the galette must cool on a wire rack for a full hour so the filling can set. It is served slightly warm or at room temperature, with softly whipped cream. The recipe suggests it also works well for breakfast the next morning with coffee.
How to Serve This Strawberry Galette
The recipe notes that the best strawberries for this dessert appear at markets for about six weeks each spring. The galette is described as a rustic dessert that looks beautiful without much effort. The full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions are included in the original post, along with a print option and links to related recipes such as a pear galette and an heirloom tomato and burrata galette.
The total time from start to finish is about 45 minutes, with 20 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of baking. The recipe yields 8 servings. The author of the feature, Camille Styles, encourages readers to share photos and tag the publication on social media.
