This Strawberry Pretzel Pie is sure to impress at your Fourth of July party

I’m not sure how it’s happening, but the summer is flying by at record speed. Summertime has a way of doing that since the days are long, and each night feels like an opportunity to get together with friends. I can hardly believe that the Fourth of July is right around the corner. Have you started to plan menus for the celebratory weekend?

We usually put on a brunch after our local Fourth of July parade. It’s a fun way to cap off the morning after that nostalgic slice of Americana. I whip up some green chile egg casseroles, a blueberry coffee cake, and a few other things I can make ahead of time. The rest of the weekend includes a lot of burgers and steaks on the grill — things that are simple so that we can be outside and be poolside. Two times of year make me think of making pies: the holidays, of course, and also the Fourth of July.

This week’s recipe is for Strawberry Pretzel Pie. It’s a fresher take on strawberry pretzel “salad,” which is a Southern delight. You can make use of those gorgeous fresh strawberries, and this pie is very simple to prepare. You make it ahead of time so it has time to chill.

I save pie baking for a special occasion treat. Times have changed from when my GG used to bake pies just because, or from when my Aunt Betty always had a huge slice of chocolate cake to greet you, even when she didn’t know you were stopping in. Whatever you plan for your Fourth of July weekend, stay safe, have fun and maybe make a Strawberry Pretzel Pie, too.

cooking.nytimes.com

A version of this story originally ran in the Wichita Eagle.