Recipe: Secret Chocolate Strawberry Pie

SECRET CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY PIE

3 cups sliced strawberries, divided use
Water
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 (3 ounces) package strawberry-flavor gelatin
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup Hershey's semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons whipping cream, divided
1 baked (9-inch) pie crust, cooled
1 (3 ounces) package cream cheese, softened
Whipped cream, optional
Whole strawberries, optional

Reserve 2 cups strawberries. Mash remaining 1 cup 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, until mixture comes to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add gelatin, butter and lemon juice; stir until gelatin is dissolved. Strain mixture; discard seeds. Refrigerate until partially set.

Meanwhile, place chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons whipping cream in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at high 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at high an 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 tablespoon whipping cream 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 sweetened whipped cream and whole strawberries, if desired.

Servings: 8
Source: Hershey's