Sweet Lady Dane Strawberry Pie

1 . Stage

Mash 3 cups sliced strawberries with 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring strawberry mixture to a boil, stirring frequently.

2 . Stage

Mix cornstarch with water in a small bowl and pour into mashed strawberries; reduce heat to medium-low.

3 . Stage

Let strawberry mixture simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

4 . Stage

Bring half-and-half to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat.

5 . Stage

Beat egg and egg yolk with an electric mixer in a bowl until frothy; gradually mix in 3/4 cup of sugar, then beat until the egg mixture is thick, pale yellow, and forms a ribbon when beater is lifted out of the bowl, about 3 minutes.

6 . Stage

Mix in flour until smooth.

7 . Stage

Gradually pour hot half-and-half into the egg mixture in a steady stream, beating constantly.

8 . Stage

Return mixture to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard thickens and starts to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; continue cooking, stirring constantly until flour is cooked, 2 to 3 more minutes.

9 . Stage

Remove custard from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla extract.

10 . Stage

Spread custard in an even layer over the bottom of graham cracker crust. Top the custard with the cooked strawberry mixture. Arrange fresh strawberries over the top.

11 . Stage

Chill at least 3 hours before serving.