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Easy No-Bake Lemon Pie Dessert
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Easy No-Bake Lemon Pie Dessert

Are you looking for a deliciously light and zesty no-bake dessert that packs a punch of flavor? This easy, 4-layered No-Bake Lemon Pie Dessert is the perfect balance of sweet and tart and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. 
Prep Time15 minutes
Refrigerator1 hour
Course: Dessert
Keyword: layered dessert, lemon, pudding, whipped cream
Servings: 9 Servings
Calories:
Author: Kim Lange

Ingredients

Easy No-Bake Lemon Pie Dessert

    Graham Cracker Crust

    • ½ cup unsalted or salted butter melted
    • cup graham cracker crumbs
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

    Lemon Layers & Whipped Cream Layer

    • 2 3.4- ounce packages instant lemon pudding mix can also use substitute with 2 cans of prepared lemon pudding, like Lucky Leaf-omit milk if using prepared lemon pudding
    • 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk see notes for almond milk
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 12 ounces Cool Whip or 4 ½ cups freshly whipped cream
    • Optional: additional lemon zest on top

    Instructions

    Easy No-Bake Lemon Pie Dessert

      Graham Cracker Crust

      • Melt butter in microwave, set aside.
      • Process your graham crackers in a food processor (or place them in a large ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them) until you have fine, sandy crumbs.
      • Add the graham cracker crumbs and sugar directly into the graham crackers and toss the ingredients together until all of the crumbs are moistened and the mixture is well-combined.
      • Press the graham cracker mixture evenly across the bottom of the baking dish and place it in the fridge or freezer to firm up while preparing the pudding.

      Lemon Layers & Whipped Cream Layer

      • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the contents of the lemon pudding packages, milk, and lemon zest. Continue whisking until the pudding thickens.
      • Measure out 1 1/2 cups of prepared lemon pudding and spread it evenly over the chilled graham cracker crust.
      • Next, measure out 1 ½ cups of whipped cream and fold into the remaining lemon pudding in the mixing bowl. Spread this layer of whipped lemon cream topping evenly over the pudding layer.
      • Gently spread out the remaining whipped topping onto the lemon cream layer. Be careful not to mix into the layers below.
      • Chill the lemon pie in the refrigerator or freezer until set about an hour or so or chill overnight. Top with lemon zest and serve.

      Notes

      Substitutions, Tips & Shortcuts

      • Use a pre-made graham cracker crust instead of making a graham cracker crust from scratch for an easy crust shortcut. 
      • Use pre-made lemon pudding in cans, like Lucky Leaf (or pudding of choice) instead of making the instant pudding with milk. Make sure not to add more milk, so the pudding sets up and isn't runny.
      • If making instant pudding, using almond milk instead of milk is kind of tricky.  Use less milk or add more pudding mix to make sure your pudding isn't runny, or the dessert won't set up.
      • Use 12 oz. Cool Whip instead of making fresh whipped cream (2 1/4 cups of whipping cream + 2-4 tablespoons powdered sugar).  Can also use Dream Whip as an easy substitute for Cool Whip!  You'll need 4 1/2 cups total whatever you use!
      • Make sure you chill the dessert before serving at least an hour, overnight is ideal!  Perfect for serving the next day!