When I want something quick, creamy, and deliciously zingy, I turn to this beautiful lemon icebox pie!
It’s tart, delicately sweet, and oh-so-rich. And that buttery graham cracker crust brings it all together beautifully.
Made with just four key ingredients, it’s the only no-bake dessert you’ll need this summer.
Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie
Give the oven (and the stovetop!) the night off with this super simple no-bake pie recipe.
Seriously, it tastes like a slice of sunshine.
Fresh lemon juice paired with cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk is the perfect combo.
It’s not too sweet, not too sour, and melts in your mouth.
Better yet, it takes just 10 minutes to whip up!
The only downside is the waiting – it needs 4 long hours in the fridge to set.
After that, it’s smooth, creamy, and to die for!
Ingredients
Who doesn’t love a simple dessert recipe with fewer than half a dozen ingredients?
That’s right, this lemon icebox pie comes together as easily as…well, pie!
Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese ensures the filling is thick and offers a creamy tangy to contrast the sharpness of the lemons.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Like key lime pie, sweetened condensed milk gives this a rich, milky sweetness that’s hard to beat. It’s also how this pie sets!
- Lemon Juice and Zest: For maximum citrus flavor, you’ll need about 3-4 whole lemons plus the zest. And yes, fresh is best. Trust me, the synthetic taste of bottled lemon juice just won’t do.
- Prepared Graham Cracker Crust: Feel free to make your own, but prepared crusts are easy and they taste just as good as homemade.
- Whipped Cream: It’s optional, but that hit of rich cream is hard to resist.
How to Make Lemon Icebox Pie
Since this is made without the oven, it’s perfect for summer. But it’s just as tasty in the dead of winter when you need a sunny pick-me-up.
Of course, no matter when you make it, all you need to do is stir, pour, and wait.
Here are the steps:
1. Whip the cream cheese until it’s soft and lump-free. Scrape the bowl as needed.
2. Mix the filling. Add the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and zest, and stir until combined.
3. Pour and chill. Pour the lemon filling into the crust, smooth it with a spatula, then pop it in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
4. Garnish and serve. When set, add some freshly whipped cream (or Cool Whip), slice, serve, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Want to take your lemon pie to the next level? Check out these easy tips and variations:
- Use temperature cream cheese. It’s the best way to ensure a lump-free filling.
- Fresh is best! I said it already, but there’s no substitution for fresh lemon juice.
- How to juice a lemon. Roll the lemons on the counter under your palm before cutting. It breaks up all the juicy pockets inside.
- Be patient. I know 4 hours seems like a long time to wait, but trust the process! If you try to cut it too soon, it’ll be a gooey (but tasty!) mess.
- Swap out the lemons. Try it with limes, oranges, or grapefruit for fun citrusy twists.
- Make it fancy. Want to impress the guests at your next summer potluck? Garnish it with piped whipped cream and fresh lemon slices.
- Dress to impress. Want to take that lemon flavor to the max? Serve it with this yummy lemon whipped cream.
How to Store
Leftover pie is a good problem to have!
And the good news is, this pie stays fresh longer than you’d expect. You just need to know how to store it properly!
To Store: Cover the pie plate with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
To Freeze: Cover the pie plate with plastic wrap and foil. Ir, transfer leftover slices to a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for 1-2 hours and enjoy!
Note: I don’t recommend storing leftovers with whipped cream. It might weep in the fridge and likely won’t thaw well.
Instead, scrape it off before storing, and then make it fresh for serving.
More No-Bake Pie Recipes
Kool-Aid Pie
No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Millionaire Pie
Dream Whip Pie
Burger King Hershey’s Sundae Pie
Lemon Icebox Pie
Course: DessertCuisine: American8
servings10
minutes4
hoursLemon icebox pie is like gliding your fork into a creamy ray of sunshine. It’s tart and sweet with a perfectly crumbly graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
Zest of 2 lemons
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
whipped cream or whipped topping for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat again until lump-free.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and blend until smooth. Then, add the lemon juice and zest and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Pour the filling into the graham cracker crust, smooth the top with a spatula, and refridgerate for at least 4 hours.
- When the filling is set, top with whipped cream or whipped topping, if desired. Then slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it blends smoothly.
- Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Give it at least 4 hours in the fridge to set.
