This easy no-bake, no-egg Lemon Icebox Pie has the reputation of being a Southern classic tradition, particularly during the hot, balmy days of summer.
Creamy fresh lemon pie is good year round and is a perfect light dessert, plus that, it's super easy to make and delicious!
Use a pre-made or homemade graham cracker crust, freeze it and call it dessert!
Icebox pies are a staple dessert in the South any time of the year! This light, creamy lemon pie does not contain any eggs and you don't cook it!
Just assemble the ingredients, pop it in the freezer and call it done!
Why you'll love this recipe!
If you're in a crunch for an easy dessert, this lemon icebox pie is the answer! Just combine the ingredients and freeze until ready to serve.
This pairs well after a dinner of fried catfish, chicken fried steak or Mom's meatloaf.
The beauty of this recipe is that it requires no eggs and no baking!
Great for crowds-double the recipe and make it in a 9 X 13 baking dish to serve up to 16 slices
It's not too sweet or tangy, but just right
Here's what you need
Cream cheese, fresh lemon juice, prepared graham cracker crust (or you can make your own; instructions below in the recipe card) and a can of sweetened condensed milk!
Note, the prepared graham cracker crusts usually come in 8"-inch aluminum tins.
If you want to make a 9"-inch pie, make the graham cracker crust from scratch. Instructions for homemade crust are in the recipe card below.
Here's how to make it
Combine softened cream cheese, lemon juice and sweet condensed milk in food processor; pulse till smooth; do not over pulse
Pour the fresh lemon filling into a pre-made or homemade baked graham cracker crust (see recipe card below); freeze for 4 hours
Expert tips
Use fresh lemon juice; not bottled or juice from Meyer Lemons
To make lemon zest, use the smallest side of a cheese grater
Do not over pulse in food processor - over processing breaks it down and it doesn't set up well
You don't have to use a food processor, you can mix it by hand as well-just mash up the cream cheese really well first
If you want more lemon flavor, use up to ½ cup lemon juice
Graham cracker crust: I prefer to make my own instead of using the pre-made ones in the aluminum pie plates. Homemade tastes better and the texture isn't like cardboard.
Use a super sharp knife to slice the lemon icebox pie; make a slice; clean the knife; make the same slice again (be sure to get all the way through the crust); clean knife and repeat
Can I make this in advance?
Make this icebox pie up to three days in advance. Keep it in the freezer and remove it about 15-minutes prior to serving.
Serving suggestion for a large group
If you want to serve this to a big group, double the graham cracker and filling recipe.
Place the graham cracker crust in a 9 x 13 baking dish; then pour in filling. Slice into squares.
Want a whipped cream topping?
No need to fuss over a topping! Make fresh homemade whipped cream in less than 10-minutes!
Graham cracker crust
If you don't want to make one, use a pre-made crust!
The homemade version does require about 15-minutes of baking time; let it cool before adding the lemon filling
If you don't have a food processor to break up the crackers, put them in a big plastic bag and hammer them with the flat side of a meat mallet until they turn into fine crumbs.
If you make your own, you'll need 12 crackers for a 9" inch pie pan; this allows enough crust to go up the sides of the pie pan
If you double the recipe and put it in a 9 x 13 pan, use 2-3 packages of graham crackers (about 24 crackers)
Real vs. bottled lemon juice
Use real lemon juice, not concentrated. The fresh flavor of lemon is The Star of this recipe!
Can I use Meyer lemons?
For best results, do not use Meyer Lemons. They are much more acidic and have a bit of a different flavor profile.
Make this no bake, no egg Lemon Icebox Pie for your next gathering, family reunion, family dinner or get together! It's a sure-fire winner everytime!
Related Recipes
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- Homemade Whipped Cream
- Classic Southern Pecan Pie
- Peach Cobbler
- Buttermilk Pie
- Orange Olive Oil Cake with Orange Creme Fraiche
- Salted Caramel Cheesecake
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No Bake No Egg Lemon Icebox Pie
Ingredients
Crust
- 12 whole graham crackers (pulsed in food processor)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 stick butter , melted
Filling
- ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed (2-3 large lemons, depending upon size) See Recipe Notes
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for garnish)
Instructions
To Make Homemade Graham Cracker Crust
- Skip this step if you're using a pre-made graham cracker crust
- Preheat oven to 350º F
- Melt butter in small saucepan1 stick butter
- In food processor, combined broken pieces of graham crackers and sugar; drizzle in melted butter12 whole graham crackers, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 stick butter
- Pour graham cracker mixture into 9 inch pie plate; press graham cracker mixture into the bottom and sides of the pan (use the back of a spoon to do this)
- Bake on middle rack at 350ºF for 12-15 minutes; remove from oven and allow to cool before filling
Prepare Filling
- In the food processor, combine all ingredients and pulse until it reaches a smooth consistency14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup lemon juice
- Scoop filling into cooled graham cracker crust; cover with plastic and freeze for 4 hours
- Prior to serving, garnish with whipped cream and lemon slices or lemon zest (optional)1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Allow pie to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing
Notes
- If serving this pie outdoors, place the pie pan in ice to keep it chilled
Nutrition Estimate
Mama says
Can you use pie crust and bake it before putting the filling in, instead of Graham cracker crust?
Anecia says
I haven't ever tried lemon icebox pie with a regular pie crust, so I don't know what would happen to the texture of the crust upon freezing.
Martha says
I made this Delicious pie followed your directions, it was great thank you.
Terry Buttram says
I don't have graham crackers can I use vanilla wafers?
Anecia says
Sure!
Fran says
Hi I'm in the UK can you please tell me the weight of a stick of butter? Thanks
Anecia says
Well, if 4 sticks of butter = one pound, then one stick of butter weights a quarter pound. 16 ounces/4 = 4 ounces.
Becky says
I had to add almost an additional 1/4 cup of lemon juice to get it to taste more like lemon. Also, the filling didn’t come out yellow like in your picture. Did I do something wrong? Thanks!
Anecia says
Thank you for sharing! The recipe post indicates that this is a light lemon flavor and, if you like more lemon, you can add a little more juice.
Gerald Myers says
can I use can lemon pie filling in this recipe.
Anecia says
I haven’t tried making it with a lemon pie filling so I’m sorry I’m not much help.
Amy says
Your whipped cream looks so thick and delightful. Is it piped cool whip?
Anecia says
Thank you, Amy! The whipped cream on the lemon icebox pie is homemade, not processed Cool Whip. Easy to make and healthier!!👍
https://www.smartypantskitchen.com/homemade-whipped-cream/
Yolanda Adams says
I just made this pie and it was delicious. It was so simple and easy. I may eat the entire pie myself. The sweet, tangy filling is very smooth and satisfying. The crust came out perfect. Thanks for sharing this recipe. BTW, I used a mixer instead of a food processor with no issues.
Anecia says
Thank you, Yolanda! I'm glad you enjoyed it! That's a good tip about using the hand mixer for the No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie!
Ellen D says
I made this, but I'm wondering about the lemon. One lemon provided the required 1/4 cup of juice. Do I use more? The flavor seems a little mild.
Anecia says
Hey Ellen! I suppose you could add more lemon to the icebox pie, but I'm not sure what would happen to the consistency....if you add more, please let me know how it turns out! Thank you!
Rozzie B says
I made this pie exactly by recipe and it turned out PERFECT!! Delicious!!!
Anecia says
Thank you Rozzie!!! You just made my day!!!👍
Cyndy Bouzos says
I don’t have a food processor. Can I use my kitchen aid mixer or blender?
Anecia says
Absolutely!