1-First Step: Make the crust Preheat the oven to 325°F if you plan to bake the crust. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, a pinch of salt, and 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter. Stir until the crumbs look evenly moistened, then press the mixture firmly into a 9 1/2-inch pie plate.

2-Second Step: Cool the crust completely Once the crust has baked, let it cool all the way to room temperature. This matters because a warm crust can soften the filling and make the pie harder to set. If you are short on time, place the crust in the refrigerator after it has cooled slightly on the counter.

3-Third Step: Whip the cream Pour 3/4 cup chilled heavy whipping cream into a clean bowl. Beat it until stiff peaks form, then place it in the refrigerator while you mix the rest of the filling. Keeping the cream chilled helps the filling stay airy.

4-Fourth Step: Mix the cream cheese filling In another bowl, beat 8 ounces softened full-fat brick-style cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed so there are no lumps. Then gently fold in the whipped cream until the mixture looks fluffy and even.

5-Fifth Step: Fill and chill the pie Spoon the filling into the cooled crust and spread it evenly. Smooth the top with a spatula, then refrigerate the pie for at least 5 hours or overnight. The longer chill time gives the pie the structure it needs for neat slices.

6-Sixth Step: Prepare the strawberry topping Right before serving, combine 2 pounds of fresh strawberries, halved or quartered, with 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam or preserves that have been heated slightly. Toss gently so the berries get lightly coated. This creates a glossy topping with a natural strawberry flavor and color.

7-Final Step: Top and serve Spoon about half of the strawberry mixture over the whole pie, then add more to each individual slice. Serve immediately after adding the strawberries so the crust stays crisp. The contrast between the cold, creamy filling and the bright fruit topping is what makes this strawberry cream cheese pie so satisfying.