Strawberry Dream Pie

I needed a quick, light and delicious dessert to take to a barbeque on the 4th Of July and this one was perfect.  On a hot summer day a cool dessert is always preferable, I think.  And if it is easy, quick and thrifty, so much the better!

I remember this dessert from my childhood and seeing the recipe appear in magazines.  All you needed was a packet of Dream Whip, a box of Jell-O and a graham cracker crust and your were pretty much good to go.  All the colorful flavor possibilities made it a fun and fashionable little dessert.

This is my adaptation of that pie.

Strawberry Dream Pie

1 small box of strawberry gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1 packet of whipped topping mix

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 graham cracker crust

1 cup sliced strawberries

In a small mixing bowl dissolve gelatin in boiling water.  Set aside to cool for 30 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl place topping mix, milk and vanilla.  Beat with an electric mixer until the consistency of whipping cream.  Slowly add cooled gelatin.  Stir in strawberries.  Pour into graham cracker crust and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours.

Serves 8

Optional:  Mix up another packet of whipped topping and spread across chilled pie if desired.  Keep refrigerated.

You could very easily substitute raspberries and raspberry gelatin.  I've also made it with just lemon gelatin and no fruit, just a little lemon juice.  Wonderful.  Lime would be nice too.