Chocolate Strawberry Pie

By grammadot

Ingredients

• 3 c sliced strawberries, divided
• whole berries for garnish
• water
• sugar
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 3oz pkg strawberry gelatin
• 1 tbs butter
• 1 tbs lemon juice
• 1/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 tbs whipping cream
• whipped cream for garnish
• 1 9" baked pie crust, cooled
• 1 3oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbs sugar
• 1 tbs lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Preparation

Step 1

Reserve 2 c sliced strawberries. Mash remaining 1c strawberries; add enough water to make 2 cups. Stir together sugar and cornstarch in saucepan; stir in mashed berries. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Add gelatin, butter and lemon juice; stir until gelatin dissolves. Strain mixture; discard seeds. Refrigerate until partially set.
Meanwhile, place chocolate chips and 3 tbs whipping cream in small microwave safe bowl. Microwave at high 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at high and additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted when stirred. Spread chocolate mixture onto bottom of prepared crust; refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm.
Beat cream cheese and remaining 1 tbs whipping cream, sugar lemon juice and zest until smooth. Spread over chocolate layer. Refrigerate filled crust while gelatin mixture is cooling. When gelatin mixture is partially set fold in reserved sliced strawberries; spoon mixture over cream cheese layer.
Cover; refrigerate several hours or until firm. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream and whole strawberries.