There is no simpler dessert then lemon cool whip pie. Only 4 ingredients and NO BAKING! Cool and creamy, this pie is the perfect finish to a summer BBQ. Make it when you’re short on time but heading to a potluck. Truly a simple “anytime” dessert.
I love math as much as the next guy, so I’m happy to post this 4 ingredient lemon cream pie in honor of pi day. This pie is truly the easiest dessert you can possibly make.
The hardest part is juicing lemons.
There is no baking involved. (Of course I baked my own graham cracker crust, but that’s just how I roll).
If you can operate a can opener, you’re totally golden.
No Bake Lemon Cool Whip Pie
All it takes to throw together this truly delicious cool whip lemon pie is a pre-made graham cracker crust (find this at any major grocery store) a bowl and a spoon. If you are kitchen skills challenged, this is the recipe for you. If you’re short on time, this is the recipe for you.
Even a small child could make this lemon pie.
Another bonus, you can easily swap out the cool whip for dairy free coconut whip if you’re “cooking” for people with food allergies. Same delicious taste, same easy preparation.
I love this pie for summer time when it’s hot outside not only because it’s no bake, so I don’t have to turn on the oven, but also because it’s so creamy and cool, it’s the perfect refreshing treat for a hot summer day.
Not that I ever get sick of ice cream or popsicles, but if you’re looking to mix it up a bit this summer, no bake lemon cream pie is where it’s at.
I’m also stoked for more recipes that use up my backyard lemons! I’m definitely juicing a bunch now and freezing for more pies this summer.
I’ve made a few updates to this blog post during non-pi day season, and I have to say, it’s really a delicious and simple recipe for any time of the year.
But, if it is pi day and you’re looking for a great pie recipe, save your brain power for differentials, or integers, or complex fractions, or something like that. (Yes, I had to google “math words” in order to come up with those) Or skip the math and do something you like to do with all the free time you’ll have by not having to bake this dessert.
I’d love to hear about what your favorite no-bake desserts are. Leave a comment below and let me know!
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to see it! Tag me @betsylife on Facebook or Instagram and I’ll share your creations!
More awesome pie recipes
No Bake Lemon Cool Whip Pie
There is no simpler dessert then lemon cool whip pie. Only 4 ingredients and NO BAKING! Cool and creamy, this pie is the perfect finish to a summer BBQ. Make it when you're short on time but heading to a potluck. Truly a simple "anytime" dessert.
Ingredients
If you want to make your own graham cracker crust
- 8-10 whole graham crackers
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup margarine melted
For the pie
- 1-9 inch graham cracker crust
- 1-14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1-12 oz container frozen whipped topping thawed
Instructions
to make your own crust
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Grind crackers in a food processor to create crumbs
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Pour the crumbs into a bowl and add the sugar and melted margarine. Stir well.
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Pour the mix into a 9-inch pie pan and press the mixture into the bottom and sides of the pie pan.
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Bake for 8 minutes at 375 degrees.
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Cool completely
to make the pie
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Stir together condensed milk, lemon juice and whipped topping until well combined.
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Pour into pie crust.
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Chill in the refrigerator until set, at least one hour
Recipe Video
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Hofterzielbeek says
Wow! Seems so delicious and yummy. Thank you so much for sharing such a great recipe!
betsy says
You’re very welcome! If you make it be sure to tag me on social media so I can check it out
Shakira says
I’m going to try biscoff butter instead of lemon juice this should be tasty
Lynnee Jimenez says
This looks amaaaaaaazing!
betsy says
It’s so easy! Definitely try it
Terri Smith says
Just got through making it and it was so easy and so delicious.. (I licked the spoon to check it out! lol..) It’s in the refrigerator now.. I recommend everyone that loves lemon pie to give it a try.. They will not regret it! Thank you for this easy recipe!
Terri Smith says
Oh and I rate this recipe a 5 star!!
betsy says
Yay! So glad you liked it
Delainy says
This is the best pie I’ve ever made since it was so easy and so delicious! I made it for dinner at a friend’s house and everyone loved it.
betsy says
Yay! Glad you loved it. Definitely one of our favorites
J Vickie says
Just curious can you use lemon juice from concentrate instead of fresh squeezed???
betsy says
That should work just fine!
Sara says
Can cream cheese be used to substitute the sweetened condensed milk?
betsy says
I wouldn’t recommend it. The texture would be significantly changed.
Tammy says
Could whipping cream be used instead of Cool Whip? I’m lemon-obsessed and this looks delish!
betsy says
Yes, although Cool Whip will make it more stable
Anna says
I made this and I personally thought it was delicious. My family didn’t care for it if I have to be honest. They said it was very tart, which it definitely is but I love a more authentic lemon flavor. This definitely isn’t similar to most lemon flavored desserts, which tend to have a milder flavor similar to vanilla. It’s not for every palate, but I enjoyed it. Next time I will swap out the lemon juice for lemon pudding.
Dina says
How long will this pie last in the frig? If it’s not eaten first?! 🙂
betsy says
About 3 days
Jacqueline says
Oh don’t worry it’ll be eaten first.. My mother in law makes this pie for every occasion, and the entire family loves it I was looking it up for the recipe so I can make it tonight. Everybody keeps saying it’s like lemon pie tho. The one she makes you can hardly taste the lemon so I hope this is the same recipe that she makes, I should just text and ask her the recipe lmao..
Kim says
I got almost this exact same recipe from a different source a couple of years ago. It calls for only 1/4 Cup lemon juice. I will def try this one adding more juice! I AM NOT a big fan of lemon desserts at all, but this truly is one of the easiest and most delicious lemon desserts I’ve ever had! Thanks for posting ~
Ella says
I love lemon do this is right up my alley. Just mixed up and put in the fridge. I had done vanilla wafers leftover, crushed them up and mixed in. My hubby licked the spoon and said it was very good. Can’t wait for it set up
Shelley McConnell says
Could you put a can of your favourite pie filling on top? Blueberry is what comes to my mind!
betsy says
Yes, but the texture of the pie is very fluffy so it might cave in a bit if you add too much
megan says
just got this and i’m so happy to see this,i cant wait to try it.
Gail Potts says
What cause this pie to thicken? Just curious
betsy says
It’s made with Cool Whip so that’s already thick and is what holds the shape
Sheila says
Try using 1 box of DRY Lemon Jello instead of lemon juice.
It’s delicious and even easier!
Sheila Hammond says
Can I use lime juice instead, just squeezed a bunch from my tree
Olivia Tuttle says
I use lime juice in mine and it’s delicious.
Jean Laffertu says
Mine never thickened, disappointed!
Haynette Miller says
This pie was so delicious. It reminded me of the lemon Ritz pie. I can’t find it anymore, but now I don’t have to look for it LOL I know how to make it.
Chandrika Shetty says
Accidentally bumped into this recipe. Sounds yummy . I have a lemon tree and can’t wait to try this.
My favourite no bake pie is Banofee pie. I often make it when I have to use up the ripe bananas
Rosemary Kasch says
I used Meyer lemons from my tree and used 3/4 cup. It was delicious!
Pamela says
Been making this pie for decades. So good! But I’m curious…Can you substitute homemade whipped cream for cool whip?
betsy says
Yes, but it might change the texture a bit
Betty says
Can this pie be frozen? Making it for bbq and would love to makeahead and freeze.
betsy says
Yes it can, but if it thaws completely it will have a watery texture. I would recommend thawing only to the point you can cut through it and enjoying it semi-frozen. (it will have an ice cream texture)
Gloria says
What can I substitute the condensed milk with? Maybe almond milk?
betsy says
The condensed milk has a very thick texture, so something like almond milk would not work. The best substitute I can think of would be heavy cream with a lot of sugar whisked in.
Rose Mary Thomas says
Can ice cream be used along with the cool whip & lemon juice for the filling?
Ann says
I only have a 8 oz container od cool whip. Can this be adjusted for this amount?
betsy says
Your pie might be very skinny! If you can make the crust smaller that would be ideal
Bob says
My mom made this pie for many years and we all loved it. However, instead of lemon juice she used 1/2 a can of frozen lemonade (thawed). In years since her passing I have upped the lemonade to 3/4 can for more lemon favor. I have also used limeade but that is much more tart so be careful how much limeade goes in. Maybe experiment a bit with mixture before pouring it into the pie crust. Absolutely great on a hot summer day.
Sal says
We love this receipe so much we have made it 5 times in the last 3 months! So easy to make and did add some sugar to even out tartness!
Connie Gilcrist says
I loved this! I used the 8 oz. Cool whip, because that’s what I thought it called for. The texture was phenomenal.
Ronald B Clark says
I like using the mini-crusts for this. Easier to serve at pot lucks, and always a huge hit!