No Bake Lemon Pie

This No Bake Lemon Pie is both sweet and tart! The base uses frozen lemonade concentrate, cream cheese, pudding mix, and Cool Whip for a light and fluffy texture. It's an easy make-ahead dessert that's simple to prepare in less than 20 minutes with basic ingredients.

If you're a lemon lover, listen up! With its tangy, creamy filling and refreshing taste, this summertime Lemon Cream Pie is the perfect way to cool down and satisfy your sweet tooth on a hot summer day.

This easy no bake lemon cream pie is a delightful fusion of tangy lemon and smooth creaminess, all nestled in a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s the perfect dessert to serve at barbecues, picnics, or any sunny gathering. Top it with beautiful and delicious candied lemon slices for the ultimate sunshine touch! With its vibrant flavors and no-bake ease, this pie is always a favorite summer dessert.

Cool treats like my Old Fashioned Orange Jello Salad, Coconut Layer Lush, and Pistachio Fluff Salad would also be perfect to bring to your summer get-togethers!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• No Bake Dessert: This easy lemon pie is perfect in those hot summer months when you don't want to heat up the house! 
• Effortless Elegance: With simple ingredients like a pre-made crust and instant cheesecake pudding mix, this lemonade pie recipe is simple recipe to prepare yet looks impressive.
• Refreshing Flavors: The tartness of lemon is balanced with creamy textures for a refreshing and satisfying treat.
• Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion: No Bake Lemon Pie is a stunner at parties and always a crowd pleaser. It's perfect for a birthday party, church homecoming, summer picnics, family reunion, or holiday celebration! 

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Evaporated Milk: Adds a rich, creamy texture without the heaviness of regular cream, helping the filling to set nicely.
• Instant Lemon Pudding Mix: Provides a quick and easy way to achieve a smooth, lemon-flavored filling with minimal effort.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy, creamy base that balances the sweetness of the pie and enhances the lemon flavor.
• Frozen Lemonade Concentrate: Intensifies the lemon flavor, giving the pie a bright and zesty kick.
• Fresh Lemons: Fresh lemon zest adds a burst of fresh lemon flavor and a bit of texture to the filling. You can use either Meyer lemons or regular lemons.
• Graham Cracker Crust: Offers a sweet, buttery base that complements the creamy, tangy filling.
• Cool Whip: Provides a light, airy topping that adds to the pie’s creamy texture.
• Oreo Lemon Thins: Garnished on top for a delightful crunch and an extra layer of lemon flavor.
• Fresh Mint: Used as a garnish, it adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness.

Tools You'll Need

• Piping Bag and Tips or Plastic Bag
• Hand Mixer 
• Microplane Zester Grater
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowls
• Pie Server

How to Make No Bake Lemon Pie

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk or blend together with an electric mixer evaporated milk and pudding mix for 1 minute. Set aside. 

2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. 
3. Beat in lemonade concentrate and zest. 

4. Once blended, fold in the pudding mixture followed by half of the Cool Whip. 

5. Pour the pie filling into the pie crust. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 

6. Before serving, garnish the top of the pie with remaining Cool Whip, Lemon Oreo Thins, and fresh mint as desired.

Homemade Pie Crust Alternatives

Instead of a premade crust, you can experiment with different crusts such as a chocolate cookie crust, Oreo cookie crust, or shortbread crust to add your own twist to the recipe. Here are some homemade options:

• For a homemade graham cracker crust, simply mix together 1 ½ cups graham cracker fine crumbs (processed in a food processor) and 6 tablespoons melted butter in a medium bowl. Press evenly on the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350°F for 10-14 minutes or until gold brown, then cool completely.
• For a pecan cookie crust, simply mix together ¾ cup all purpose flour, ½ cup finely chopped pecans and 6 tablespoons melted butter in a medium bowl. Press evenly on the bottom of your pie pan. Bake at 350°F for 14-18 minutes or until golden brown, then cool completely.
• For a gluten-free crust, follow the homemade graham cracker crust option as noted above using gluten-free graham crackers or chocolate cookies or a gluten-free all-purpose flour alternative.

Tips and Substitutions

• Thawing Cool Whip: Cool Whip is sold frozen and will need to be defrosted before making the pie.
  • The two methods of thawing I recommend are in the refrigerator or in cold water. Thawing in the refrigerator will take about 5 hours. For the second way, place the Cool Whip tub in a bowl filled with cold water and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Cool Whip Substitute: Fresh whipped cream can be used instead of Cool Whip.
  • To make homemade whipped cream, in a large bowl on high speed, blend together 1 ½ cups heaving whipping cream or heavy cream, ¼ cup powered sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, about 1-2 minutes.
• Make it Vegan: To make a vegan version of this No Bake Lemon Pie, use dairy-free whipped topping and yogurt alternatives made from coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Ensure that the graham cracker crust is also vegan-friendly by checking the ingredients list for any animal-derived products.
• Lighter Options: Light or regular cream cheese and whipped cream works in this pie. The texture will be slightly softer.
• Cream Cheese Blending: Ensure you use room temperature cream cheese for easier blending.

Storing & Freezing

Summertime Lemon Cream Pie will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container. However, for the best results, it's recommended to consume it within 1-2 days.

While this pie can technically be frozen, the texture of the filling will change slightly upon thawing. It's best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for optimal taste and texture.

More Easy Chilled Pie Recipes

• Frozen Yogurt Pie
• Banana Split Pie
• American Pie
• Coconut Meringue Pie

Frequently Asked Questions