Name: Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 3 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade); 1 cup water; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3 tbsp cornstarch; 1 (3 oz) package strawberry Jell-O; 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered if large; Whipped cream

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 50 reviews

If you have a sweet tooth and a fondness for classic diner desserts, you’re going to absolutely love making and savoring Big Boy's Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe. This pie is a delightful treasure packed with fresh, juicy strawberries that swim in a perfectly sweet, glossy glaze all nestled in a crisp, buttery crust. It’s the kind of dessert that tastes like summer on a plate, capturing that nostalgic Big Boy flavor that’s hard to find anywhere else. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or just to treat yourself, this pie is sure to become a beloved favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A metal sink filled with water and fresh strawberries floating on the surface, each strawberry bright red with green leafy tops, evenly spread out and partially submerged in clear water. The shiny metal surface of the sink reflects the red color of the strawberries. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward creating that flawless Big Boy strawberry pie experience. Each element here plays a crucial role in bringing texture, flavor, and that irresistible shimmer to the final dish.

Pie crust: Choose either store-bought for convenience or homemade for extra flakiness and buttery flavor.
Water: Provides the liquid base for the glaze, ensuring it achieves the perfect consistency.
Granulated sugar: Adds the essential sweetness that complements the tartness of the strawberries.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Lemon juice: Brightens the glaze with a fresh citrusy note that lifts the strawberries.
Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, aromatic depth to the glaze, making each bite more luxurious.
Cornstarch: The thickening agent that transforms the glaze into that classic, glossy finish you expect.
Strawberry Jell-O (3 oz package): Infuses the pie with concentrated strawberry flavor and adds that iconic color and shine.
Fresh strawberries (4 cups): Use ripe, hulled, halved or quartered strawberries for natural sweetness and wonderful texture.
Whipped cream: The perfect crowning touch, providing lightness and creaminess when serving.

How to Make Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

Start by baking your pie crust according to the package directions or your go-to homemade recipe. It’s important to let the crust cool completely before adding the filling so it stays crisp and doesn’t soak up the glaze. This step can even be done a day ahead, which makes the process more relaxed and helps the crust hold its shape beautifully.

Step 2: Make the Glaze

In a medium saucepan, bring together the water, sugar, salt, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and cornstarch over medium-high heat. Whisk continuously to prevent lumps, and soon you’ll notice the mixture thickening into a luscious glaze. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes, and it’s worth the watch because this glaze is the magic that binds all those gorgeous strawberries together.

Step 3: Add the Strawberry Jell-O

Once the glaze is thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the strawberry Jell-O powder until it’s completely dissolved. This step gives the glaze its vibrant, irresistible sheen and boosts the strawberry flavor to that signature Big Boy level. It’s like strawberry candy in pie form!

Step 4: Combine Strawberries and Glaze

Gently fold the fresh sliced strawberries into the glaze, taking care to coat each piece evenly without bruising the fruit. This keeps every bite full of that sweet, juicy strawberry flavor locked in with the shiny glaze coating perfectly.

Step 5: Fill the Pie

Pour the strawberry and glaze mixture into your cooled pie crust. Spread it out evenly, ensuring the strawberries sit neatly and the glaze pools just enough without spilling over. The presentation here is key to creating that classic diner pie look that everyone adores.

Step 6: Chill Until Set

Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours, or until the glaze has fully set and the pie has firmed up. This chilling time lets the flavors meld together and the texture become that perfectly sliceable consistency you expect from Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe.

Step 7: Serve with Whipped Cream

When you’re ready to dig in, slice generous pieces and top each with a cloud of whipped cream. It’s the finishing touch that makes the pie truly special and evokes that authentic Big Boy experience everyone loves.

How to Serve Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe

A round strawberry pie with one visible layer of golden, flaky crust at the bottom holding a thick, glossy red strawberry filling spreading evenly to the edges, topped with a full layer of large, halved and quartered fresh strawberries that are bright red with seeds showing, covered in a shiny glaze that makes the berries look wet and fresh. The pie is in a silver pie dish sitting on a white marbled surface next to some whole strawberries and a folded blue cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Aside from the classic whipped cream, consider garnishing with fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a refined look. A few thin slices of fresh strawberry artistically placed on top add extra charm and highlight the freshness of the pie.

Side Dishes

This strawberry pie pairs wonderfully with light, summery sides. Think vanilla ice cream or a scoop of lemon sorbet to complement the fruity flavors. If serving at a brunch or gathering, simple salads or mild cheeses make surprisingly excellent companions for a balanced plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe in individual mini tart pans for a cute party presentation, or layer the strawberry mixture over angel food cake slices for a quick strawberry shortcake twist. You can also drizzle a bit of chocolate sauce around each slice for an irresistible visual and flavor boost.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover pie covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 3 days, although it’s so delicious you might find it hard to resist finishing it earlier!

Freezing

While you can freeze the pie, the texture of the fresh strawberries may change slightly upon thawing. If you want to freeze, wrap the pie carefully in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Reheating

This pie is best served chilled, so reheating is not recommended. Instead, allow it to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes if it’s too firm from the fridge, and then enjoy it as intended—cool, fresh, and glossy.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?

Fresh strawberries give the best texture and flavor for Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe, but if you must use frozen, make sure to thaw and drain them very well to avoid excess liquid that could make the pie watery.

Is it necessary to use strawberry Jell-O powder?

The strawberry Jell-O powder is key to achieving the signature shine and flavor of this pie’s glaze, replicating the Big Boy original. If you skip it, the glaze might lack that vibrant color and sweetness.

Can I make the pie crust from scratch?

Absolutely! A homemade crust adds that personal touch and can elevate the pie even further. Just be sure to bake it fully and cool it before filling.

How long does the glaze take to thicken?

Expect the glaze to thicken after about 3 to 5 minutes of whisking over medium-high heat. Keep stirring to avoid lumps and get a smooth, glossy finish.

Can this pie be made vegan or gluten-free?

You can adapt the crust to be gluten-free by using a store-bought gluten-free crust or homemade version. To make it vegan, substitute butter with a vegan alternative and use a plant-based gelatin substitute, but note that the texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Final Thoughts

Making Big Boy’s Copycat Strawberry Pie Recipe at home is such a joyful experience, especially when you sit down and savor that first forkful of fresh strawberries coated in glossy glaze, all inside a perfectly crisp crust. This pie brings a nostalgic smile with every bite, and it’s honestly perfect for any occasion that calls for something sweet and satisfying. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it over and over again.