One of the chain’s most iconic dishes, Shoney’s Strawberry Pie has been capping off the meals of hungry diners for decades. This copycat recipe recreates the sweet, intense fruit flavor and the smooth texture right in your home kitchen. Your taste buds will be delighted with each bite, ripe fresh strawberries, and a flaky pie crust will delight your friends and family. Enjoy one of the best homemade pies you can make.
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Fresh strawberry pie
In its prime in the late 1990s, Shoney’s seemed to be everywhere in the Southeast and was gradually expanding around the country. While some rough economic times have meant this homestyle chain isn’t nearly as common as it once was, one dish remains just as popular – Shoney’s classic Strawberry Pie.
Fortunately, it’s easy to recreate this mouthwateringly fresh and fruity dessert at home. If you lived in the Northeast, you may have enjoyed this famous strawberry dessert at the restaurant known as Big Boy. No matter where you had the pie, it was the same famous dessert.
What makes Shoney’s Strawberry Pie so good?
Shoney’s may offer other pies and desserts, but nothing has ever touched the Strawberry Pie in terms of popularity. While cakes and traditional pies can be found just about anywhere, Shoney’s Strawberry is relatively unique thanks to the strawberry glaze and fresh fruit filling in a flaky crust. Most copycat recipes get the strawberries wrong, Shoney’s did not use sliced strawberries, they used beautiful whole strawberries.
On top of the freshness of the strawberries, strawberry Jell-O ensures every bite is practically exploding with fruit flavor.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Who doesn’t love a straightforward but delicious pie? This easy strawberry pie recipe is made simply with easy-to-find everyday ingredients like strawberry jello, cornstarch, sugar, and fresh strawberries. You can use your favorite pie crust recipe, or you can opt for a store-bought, refrigerated pie crust instead.
It’s also a super convenient dessert, as it doesn’t even need to be warmed up to serve once it’s been made.
My favorite time of the year to make this pie is the spring, the strawberries are just starting to come in, and it doesn’t get better than those juicy, ripe fresh berries.
Strawberry pie with Jello is easy to make!
Did I mention this pie is super easy to make? A simple glaze made with strawberry Jello is poured over fresh strawberries piled in a pie crust.
Strawberry pie ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this copycat Shoney’s strawberry pie recipe:
- 9-inch Deep Dish Pie Crust (9-inch diameter) – a frozen pie crust is most convenient and it comes with a pie pan
- Fresh Strawberries
- Strawberry Jello
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Whipped Cream for Serving
Other than strawberries and water, all are easily stashed away in the pantry and suitable for stocking up on if you’re a big fan of Shoney’s strawberry pie.
Ingredient substitutions
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, substitute a gluten-free pie crust for a traditional one. Vegetarians can also enjoy Shoney’s Strawberry Pie if they swap out regular Jell-O (which contains gelatin derived from animals) for vegetarian and vegan-friendly alternatives.
You can also use a shortbread or graham cracker crust but then it won’t be like the Shoney’s pie.
How to make strawberry pie
Unlike many pies, the only baking that occurs with this unique dessert comes at the very beginning, with your pre-made pie crust:
- Bake your pie crust as called for in the directions. Allow it to cool completely.
- Wash the strawberries, hull them, and then slice them in half or quarters.
- Combine the cornstarch, sugar, and water in a saucepan and heat. Once it begins to thicken, add the strawberry Jell-O.
- Add the strawberries to the pie crust in an even layer, and pour the strawberry jello pie filing mixture over them.
- Place the pie in the refrigerator for a few hours until the strawberry gelatin is fully set.
- Serve the pie chilled or at room temperature.
- Garnish with dollops of whipped cream.
Decorating the pie
After the pie sets up, some home cooks add even more style and flavor by topping the pie with a layer or dollop of Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream. The creaminess is an ideal contrast to the tart and sweet strawberries.
However, this is entirely up to you, and some prefer to leave the pie as-is to let the eye-popping red strawberry filling stand out.
What goes well with Shoney’s strawberry pie
Beyond the whipped cream mentioned above, Shoney’s strawberry pie goes great with other dessert items, too. Among the best and easiest is to add a scoop of ice cream for pie à la mode. Vanilla is the classic, but for an extra decadent touch, use chocolate to mimic the flavors of indulgent chocolate-covered strawberries.
Afterward, wash it all down with a cup of coffee or tea or a glass of milk for a diner-style dessert to remember.
How to store fresh strawberry pie
Before storing your strawberry pie, let it cool completely. This will prevent any accumulation of moisture from condensation, which can harm the texture of the crust. Cover the pie with foil or plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container. Enjoy the pie within three to four days.
Freezing isn’t recommended, as the freeze/thaw process can lead to an unpleasant texture for both the Jello-O and strawberries.
If you love other Shoney’s desserts be sure to check out the Hot Fudge Cake. I know you will love that one too!
Love Strawberries? Check out these strawberry recipes
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Strawberry Cream Cheese
- Strawberry Frappuccino
- Strawberry Romanoff
- Strawberry Water
- Wendy’s Strawberry Frosty
More of the best pie recipes
- Buttermilk Pie
- Easy Rhubarb Custard Pie
- Easy Old Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe
- Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie
- How to Make Kool-Aid Pie
- Mixed Fruit Pie Recipe
- Old Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
Be sure to take a look at more of my easy pie recipes and the best copycat recipes.
Copycat Shoney’s Strawberry Pie
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 6 tablespoons strawberry Jello mix dry
- 1 pound fresh strawberries stems removed
- 1 9-inch deep-dish pie crust baked
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the glaze is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Add the strawberry Jello mix to the glaze and stir to combine.
- Place the fresh strawberries into the baked pie crust and pour the strawberry glaze over the top. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Top the pie with Cool Whip if desired.
Video
Notes
- Make the pie more like Shoney’s by piling the strawberries up very tall into the pie shell
- If you want you could use a graham cracker crust
Bain
Have tried this many times. My family loves it. Fresh Strawberries makes it even better. If you have a problem with it not getting thick add 1 teaspoon extra of corn starch.
Darlene
How do you get the milky color out of the glaze to make it clear
Stephanie
As the glaze cooks it becomes clear.
david
I didn’t know it would take 4 boxes of jell-o. didn’t look anything like the pie. not enough “juice to fill the pan. ill try again with an extra 2 boxes of Jell-o
Pamela
You need to use regular jello, not sugar free!!!
Hollye
I worked at Shoney’s through high school back in the 80″s. I waited tables and made the hot fudge cakes and strawberry pies. It is true what another former employee said about not using jello, they did make it with “strawberry glaze”. It came pre-made in a big tub…BUT…unless you can buy that pre-made “strawberry glaze”, you will need to make your own and it is indeed made with strawberry gelatin, aka…strawberry jello! I grew up in West Tennessee and you can buy that pre-made glaze in the produce department in grocery stores next to the fresh strawberries. It’s sold in a clear bag. I live in North Jersey now and no such product exist in grocery stores here so I use this recipe and it’s perfect and exactly the same thing!
Hollye
P.S.- The pie shells we used were just plain old frozen pie curst in the aluminum tins that you get at the grocery store in the frozen food section. Poke holes in bottom of thawed crust before putting it into the over to bake. Don’t over bake, take out and fill with strawberries and glaze! That’s it! The hardest part of making those pies was topping the greens off of the strawberries and Shoney’s had their own technique for that as well. Use a grapefruit spoon and simply core out the greens making sure to get that “core” out as well.
7-up came into no place in this recipe as far as Shoney’s was concerned, never happened!
Stephanie
You know I remember the Strawbery glaze used to be in grocery stores.
Patricia
found this recipe on line today and was excited to see West Tennessee…..that is exactly where I live. I am making this pie now. Hope it turns out as good as Shoney’s.
Stephanie
I hope you enjoyed the pie.
Ellen
I imagine the strawberry glaze was pre-packaged in used it Shoney’s for convenience of time .. however however her recipe would be correct for making a strawberry glaze from scratch .. about to giveEllen this recipe a try..
Diane
Thank you Stephaniemanley you are the best, love all your recipes ????
Mowildflower
The original recipe used 7 up for the liquid not water and no jello
Momma B
I don’t know if it’s like Stoney’s or not butttt it surely sounds delicious & I think I’ll make it. Have a blessed day.
Candy
Ok, back to the almost pudding instruction. Cook on low/medium/high heat? Stir or leave alone? How thick is almost pudding stage? Do you cool it? This sounds awesome and I can’t wait to try, but who writes these recipes??? Take a look at Pioneer Woman’s recipes and get back to us!
Stephanie @CopyKat.com
I will edit the instructions. Let me know if I should email them to you.
Thank you for the suggestion that I should read the Pioneer Woman’s recipes, and get back to you. Do you want me to email you?
Lisa Jones
Thank-you for this recipe, it may not be the exact recipe Shoneys used but it’s fast, easy and tastes identical! Strawberry pie is my favorite but I always thought it would be such an ordeal to make, not so with this recipe! Love it! Thanks!????????
Stephanie
I am glad you enjoyed the Strawberry pie.
Beverly
I would really appreciate a recipe for the crust on Stoney’s strawberry pie. That is what makes their pie so special!
Laura
This is the recipe for the shoney’s pie crust I use. Come close to being their recipe:
SWEET PASTRY DOUGH
1/4 pound very cold butter
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
2 egg yolks
1 – 1/4 cup flour
salt to taste.
1 Tablespoon ice water (or less)
Cut butter into small cubes and put in a mixing bowl. Add sugar and egg yolks and mix thoroughly using hands or electric beater. Combine flour and salt in flour sifter. Sift this gradually into the yolk mixture. Add just enough water so that the mixture holds together, Shape the dough into a flat cake and wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerator for half hour or until thoroughly chilled. Roll out on very cold surface.
shelby
yum.. just stuck my finger in the pie..Great
Marian
Shoney’s pie crust is thicker and sweeter than a regular pie crust – does anyone know how they do it?
Tesa
When I make it, I use the store bought shortbread crust. I haven’t been to a Shoney’s in decades but the crust reminds me of of the taste. You should be able to find it in the baking aisle, I think it’s Keebler.
Penelope Brookshire
Every time I show up at work with this pie pandemonium ensues! I am constantly getting strawberry pie hints when it has been awhile since the last one. Big big hit!!!!
Stephanie
That is a nice problem to have !
jody
graham cracker crust?
george12p
BTW you can find strawberry glaze in the produce dept @ your locale grocers
stephaniemanley
Thanks George12p.
george12p
I worked for Shoney’ s for 8 years and we DO NOT USE JELLO! We use strawberry glaze. This site knows nothing about Shoney’s pie recipes.
James Jerry Oliver
FANTASTIC
Confused
What do they mean by almost pudding stage. Who makes pudding anymore? Wish recipe writers would be ultra specific since my generation didn’t grow up with a mom in the kitchen.
Stephanie
It means kinda thick, like pudding. Does that help?
Beth Fish Hill
It means….cook until thick…:)
veronica
yea I know, until its like thick
Stephanie
Or until the mixture turns cloudy to more clear.
Morgan Wampler
Oh my goodness. I tryed this recipe and let me tell you honey it is wonderful. It tastes identical to the original Shoney’s pie and it is super easy to make. LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!!!!!
stephaniemanley
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe.