No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie

Name: No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
Prep time: PT-493553H19M33S
Total time: 6 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 full sheets of graham crackers; ¼ cup granulated white sugar; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature; 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk; ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons); 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional; ½ cup whipping cream; ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar

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This No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie is the perfect dessert to cool down on a hot day. It’s made with a homemade graham cracker crust that’s perfectly crumbly, paired with a smooth, creamy texture and a refreshing burst of lemon flavor. Simple, delicious, and totally refreshing!

A slice of no-bake lemon icebox pie on a white plate garnished with mint and served with a lemon wedge.

Creamy Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe

I’m all about lemon desserts in the summer, so I figured it was time to make something for all the lemon lovers out there!

This lemon icebox pie is a super-easy, no-bake dessert that lets you skip the oven while enjoying something delicious. The homemade crust is made with graham cracker crumbs, but if you want to keep things even simpler, just grab a pre-made crust! The filling? Super simple, with only a few basic kitchen essentials required.

If you’re craving a fruity twist, don’t miss my Strawberry Icebox Pie – it’s just as easy and perfect for summer!

Ingredients

Graham crackers: You’ll need these to make your own graham cracker crust. It’s super easy!
Granulated white sugar: Adds a little sweetness to the crust.
Unsalted butter: You’ll need this melted to help meld the crust together.
Cream cheese: The base of your filling. Make sure this is at room temperature for easy mixing.
Condensed milk: Adds sweetness and creaminess to the filling.
Fresh lemons: You’ll need 2 to 3 lemons to make fresh lemon juice and add the optional lemon zest.

For the Topping (Optional)

Whipping cream: Adds a light and fluffy texture to the topping.
Confectioner’s sugar: Combined with the whipping cream, this creates a sweet and creamy topping.

No-bake lemon icebox pie in a pie surrounded by ingredients.

How to Make No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

In a food processor, place your graham cracker sheets and pulse for a minute until they break into crumbs.

Mixing the ingredients for the graham crackers crust in a blender.

Next, toss in the sugar and melted butter, then give it a quick blend for about a minute until everything’s mixed and it looks like wet sand.

Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Chill in the fridge while you prepare the filling.

Crumbled graham crackers in a blender with a spatula.

Homemade graham cracker crust pressed into a pie dish.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Filling

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix until fully combined. Then pour in the lemon juice and beat again until silky and slightly thickened.

The lemon pie filling in a glass mixing bowl before getting mixed.

Mixing the lemon pie filling in a glass mixing bowl.

Step 3: Assemble & Chill

Once ready, pour the lemon pie filling into the chilled crust and smooth out the top with a spatula.

Cover the pie and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours.

Assembled lemon icebox pie before getting chilled in the fridge.

Step 4: Prepare the Topping & Serve

While the pie chills, combine whipping cream and confectioners’ sugar in a bowl and beat until a stiff peak is formed.

Confectioner's sugar, cream cheese, and cream in a glass mixing bowl.

Next, grab a piping bag with a star nozzle, fill it with whipped cream, and pipe some pretty rosettes over the lemon pie. Sprinkle a little lemon zest on top for the perfect finishing touch.

Piping on rosettes for the lemon icebox pie.

Close-up of no-bake sliced lemon icebox pie in a pie dish.

Slice it up, serve while it’s nice and cool, and enjoy every bite!

A forkful of no-bake lemon icebox pie resting on a plate next to a slice.

FAQ

What if I don’t have a piping bag?

No worries! You can still get a beautifully topped pie by spooning the whipped cream on and swirling it with a spatula. Or just grab a Ziploc bag, cut off a corner, and use it as a DIY piping bag.

How long does lemon icebox pie last in the fridge?

Lemon icebox pie stays fresh in the fridge for about 3-4 days if you keep it in an airtight container.

Can you freeze an icebox pie?

Sure, you can freeze an icebox pie! Just wrap it up tightly with plastic wrap and some foil, then pop it in the freezer. It’ll stay good for about 2-3 months. When you’re ready to dig in, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

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