Sky-High Strawberry Pie

Sky-High Strawberry Pie


3 quarts fresh strawberries, divided
1-1/2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
2/3 cup water
Red food coloring, optional
1 deep-dish pastry shell (10 inches), baked
1 cup heavy whipping cream
4-1/2 teaspoons instant vanilla pudding mix

Directions

In a large bowl, mash enough berries to equal 3 cups. In a saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the mashed berries and water; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat; add food coloring if desired. Pour into a large bowl. Chill for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is just slightly warm. Fold in the remaining berries. Pile into pastry shell. Chill for 2-3 hours.
In a small bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Sprinkle pudding mix over cream and whip until stiff. Pipe around edge of pie or dollop on individual slices. Yield: 8-10 servings.