Our Easiest, Most Refreshing No-Bake Lemon Pie Recipe
Updated: Jul. 20, 2023
No-bake lemon pie is perfect for hot summer days. The freshly squeezed lemon juice shines through in every creamy bite!
There’s something about fruity no-bake lemon desserts that we love when it’s warm outside. Each one is sweet, tart and light. No-bake lemon pie is all of the above—plus, each cold bite cools you down. Our recipe has just 5 ingredients, which means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time chasing that summer sun.
How to Make No-Bake Lemon Pie
This no-bake dessert recipe from Joanne Schlabach of Shreve, Ohio makes 8 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1 carton (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 3-5 drops yellow food coloring, optional
- 1 graham cracker crust (9 inches)
- Grated lemon zest, optional
Directions
Step 1: Combine the milk and lemon juice
In a medium bowl, combine the milk and lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Editor’s Tip: Store-bought lemon juice won’t cut it for no-bake lemon pie. Since the lemon is the star of the recipe, you’ll want to juice a lemon at home for best results. You’ll typically get 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice from a medium lemon, so you’ll likely need 2 to 3 lemons for this recipe.
Step 2: Fold in the whipped topping
Fold the whipped topping into the milk and lemon juice. If desired, stir in the food coloring for a little brightness.
Step 3: Fill the crust
Spoon the mixture into the crust and refrigerate until set.
Editor’s Tip: You could make the pie and let it sit in the fridge overnight, but it doesn’t need the 8 full hours to set. It’ll take just a few hours to reach the creamy consistency you’re looking for.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
If desired, sprinkle with lemon zest.
Tips for Making No-Bake Lemon Pie
Can you use a homemade graham cracker crust?
If you want to put a little extra love into your no-bake lemon pie (or any other no-bake fruit pies), a homemade graham cracker crust is a great way to do it. You’ll need about 24 graham cracker squares to make a 9-in. crust, like our recipe calls for.
How can you make no-bake lemon pie less sweet?
If you’d like your no-bake lemon pie to be more tangy than sweet, use a sugar-free whipped topping in place of regular Cool Whip. Don’t reduce the amount of sweetened condensed milk—it’s essential for creating the ideal texture for the filling.
What toppings can you put on no-bake lemon pie?
We recommend freshly grated lemon zest for no-bake lemon pie. This garnish is convenient since you’re already purchasing lemons for the juice. However, you could make spirals from the zest to make the pie feel a bit fancier. Feel free to branch out with the type of citrus you zest: Pick up oranges for an orange-lemon flavor, or limes for a lemon-lime twist.
While you’ll specifically need Cool Whip for the filling, homemade whipped cream is perfect for the topping if you want even more creaminess. For a pop of color, place a few fresh raspberries, blueberries or strawberries on top of the dollop.
If you want to stick to the lemon theme, thin slices of fresh or candied lemon would look elegant.
How do you store no-bake lemon pie?
Store this no-bake fruit dessert in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. If you want it to last longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Pop it in the fridge the night before you plan to enjoy it.
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