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For a special Valentine's Day treat, make a spectacular chocolate covered strawberry pie. With a buttery sweet vanilla wafer crust, chocolate ganache, and smooth strawberry mousse, this pie will win anyone over!
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What makes this recipe special
Back in February, The Pie Hole in Los Angeles had a special Valentine's Day pie featuring a chocolate-covered strawberry pie. I had to try it. Unfortunately, I only heard about this pie on the last day, and of course, they had already sold out. Not wanting to wait another year, I decided to make my own. I mean, I already made their Earl Grey pie, so this chocolate-covered strawberry pie can't be that much harder, right?
If you had the chance to make my Earl Grey pie, you're probably guessing this chocolate covered strawberry version is going to be just as much work. Well, I have good news for you! This pie is a tad bit easier - woohoo! Instead of a traditional pie crust, we're going to make an easy vanilla wafer crust. Fill that with a layer of chocolate ganache, strawberry mousse, and top it with whipped cream, and chocolate covered strawberries. Ready to go?
Recipe
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pie
Ingredients
Vanilla wafer crust
- 1 ¾ cups crushed vanilla wafers (about 7 ounces)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (67 grams)
- 6 tablespoons melted butter (85 grams)
Strawberry mousse
- 1 cup strawberry puree (about 10 ounces of strawberries)
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (30 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream, divided (375 ml)
Ganache
- 3 ½ ounces bittersweet chocolate
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Remaining ingredients
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 10 small strawberries
- ½ cup heavy cream (125 ml)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (14 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Crush the vanilla wafers into crumbs with a food processor or blender. Combine crumbs with sugar and melted butter, stirring until well combined. Press the crust mixture into a pie tin to make the crust. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes or until browned. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make the strawberry mousse. Blend enough strawberries to make 1 cup puree (about 10 ounces). Combine strawberry puree with egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar, and 1 cup heavy cream in a medium saucepot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Continue to simmer the strawberry filling until thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the filling to a clean bowl. Cover the filling with plastic, placing the plastic wrap directly on top of the filling. Let cool completely and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Make the chocolate ganache. Heat bittersweet chocolate with heavy cream in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until the chocolate is melted. Alternatively, melt the chocolate with the heavy cream on the stovetop using a double boiler. Spread the ganache at the bottom of the crust and let cool completely.
- Whip remaining ½ cup heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Use the paddle attachment on the stand mixer and beat chilled strawberry filling until smooth. Fold the whipped cream in the strawberry filling. Pour the filling into the pie crust on top of the ganache. Let chill for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Prepare the toppings. Melt semisweet chocolate chips with coconut oil in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until the chocolate has melted. Alternatively, melt the chocolate on the stovetop using a double boiler. Dip the strawberries in the melted chocolate and lay them on parchment paper. Let the chocolate cool completely.
- Whip ½ cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Top the chocolate covered strawberry pie with the whipped cream and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Notes
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Bake crust
Okay, let's start with the vanilla wafer crust. All you have to do is crush some vanilla wafer cookies with a food processor, blender, or by hand until crumbly.
Vanilla wafers are sweet, thin, crispy cookies flavored with vanilla. You can substitute them with graham crackers or other shortbread cookies, if you prefer.
Combine the crumbs with melted butter and sugar and press the mixture into a pie tin. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes or until browned.
This is the only time the pie is going to be baked, so go ahead and fully bake the crust.
Step 2: Prepare strawberry mousse
While the crust is cooling, make the strawberry mousse. I used fresh strawberries during the berry season to get the best strawberry flavor possible.
Puree the strawberries in a blender until pureed and combine them with egg yolks, cornstarch, sugar, and heavy cream.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
You don't want the eggs to curdle, so keep the flames on medium and keep stirring. Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely.
Place plastic wrap directly on the mousse to prevent skin from forming as it cools.
Step 3: Make chocolate ganache
By now, the crust should be fully cooled. Make the ganache by microwaving bittersweet chocolate with heavy cream until the chocolate has melted. You can also do this on a double boiler over the stove.
Pour the ganache into the crust in one even layer and let it set.
Take out the strawberry mousse and transfer it to a stand mixer bowl. Use the paddle attachment to beat the filling until smooth. This will help loosen up the filling and make it easier to add the whipped cream.
Use the remaining ½ cup of heavy cream to make whipped cream and fold it into the strawberry filling until fully incorporated. Then, pour the filling into the pie, smoothing the top with a spatula. Let that sit for at least one hour or overnight. I prefer to let the pie rest overnight to ensure that it's fully set.
Step 4: The finishing touches
Finish the chocolate covered strawberry pie with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate covered strawberries. The berries are optional, but they complete the pie, don't you think?
To make the strawberries, melt semisweet chocolate chips with coconut oil either in the microwave or in a double boiler. You can also use a neutral oil instead of coconut oil.
Carefully dip the strawberries in the chocolate, letting the excess drip off. Lay the berries on parchment paper to let the chocolate set.
Spread the whipped cream on top and garnish with the chocolate covered strawberries. Sprinkle chocolate shavings if you want to get fancy and sit back and admire your work. Ain't she a beauty?
I'll be honest, I have no idea if this tastes the same as the chocolate covered pie sold at Pie Hole. But I'll tell you one thing. It's incredibly delicious. You can't go wrong with chocolate and strawberries, and this pie hit it out of the park.
For another strawberry treat, check out this strawberry guava cake, strawberry cheesecake swirl brownies, and strawberry galette with pretzel crust!
Make-ahead and storage
- Make-ahead: The chocolate covered strawberries and strawberry mousse can be prepared the night before. You can also bake the crust the day before and store it an room temperature.
- Store: Cover the pie with plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
More Valentine's Day recipes
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All images shot and styled by Christine Ma. Available for food photography, styling, and recipe development.
Emily says
Why are more people not making this pie?? It's really incredible, both in taste and presentation!
Christine Ma says
Oh I'm so glad you liked it! It's a great one.
Brooke H says
Right?! It’s so pretty!!
Brooke H says
I got lazy at the end and didn’t take the time to make the toppings, but this pie is really good!! Note: Buy real Nilla wafers not the store brand. It will still be good, but the artificial vanilla does not match with the luxury of the chocolate ganache and strawberry whipped cream. The ganache layer made it, imo.
Christine Ma says
Yay I'm so happy you liked it! And great note about the vanilla wafers.