Easy Crunch Berry Pie

Name: Easy Crunch Berry Pie
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 2-3/4 cups crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 2 cups mixed fresh or frozen unsweetened berries, thawed; 3/4 cup sugar, divided; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 1/4 cup cold water; 1 envelope unflavored gelatin; 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; Sweetened whipped cream, optional; Additional mixed fresh berries, optional

This is a fresh, simple approach to making a company-worthy pie. The playful Cap’n Crunch cereal crust is fun to bite into, and it’s the perfect complement to a mixed berry no-bake filling. — Gina Nistico, Taste of Home Food Editor

Ingredients

2-3/4 cups crushed Cap'n Crunch cereal
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cups mixed fresh or frozen unsweetened berries, thawed
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 cup cold water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Sweetened whipped cream, optional
Additional mixed fresh berries, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine crushed cereal and melted butter. Using the bottom of a glass, press cereal mixture onto bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Bake until set, 10-12 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Combine berries, 1/2 cup sugar, lemon juice and zest; let stand 10 minutes. Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let stand 5 minutes. Transfer berry mixture to a food processor or blender; pulse until smooth. Press through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds. Microwave gelatin on high until melted, about 10 seconds; stir into berry mixture.
Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in cream and berry mixture. Transfer filling to crust. Refrigerate, covered, until set, about 2 hours. If desired, top with sweetened whipped cream and additional berries.