This Easy Lemon Cream Pie is the lemon version of the key lime classic. Also sometimes called a lemon icebox pie, this quick and easy recipe is sure to satisfy that craving for a cool and creamy, tart and tangy dessert that’s perfect for summer.
I’ve always been a huge fan of lemon desserts. Make that dessert a cool and creamy lemon pie and you can 100% count me in! So when we were brainstorming recipe ideas for summer desserts not too long ago, of course I added a lemon pie to the list.
One of the most popular pies I have on the site is my Best Key Lime Pie. It consistently gets 5 star reviews and folks just love it. So I knew that a lemon variation would be a winner, too. And I didn’t have to do much in terms of changing up the recipe.
In fact, all I did was swap out the key lime juice for lemon juice. But don’t tell anyone. Sometimes when things are that simple, folks will avoid a recipe thinking it’s too plain. But, y’all… this isn’t plain at all. It’s absolutely delicious.
When it comes to the crust, a prepared deep dish graham cracker crust off the grocery store shelf will work perfectly – and save you quite a bit of time and effort. With that being said, if you’ve got some extra time and want this pie to really stand out, you can make my homemade graham cracker crust. I’ve included that recipe below the pie recipe. It’s buttery and sweet with just a touch of salt – which I think makes it perfect for this pie. The biggest challenge with making your own crust is getting the crumbs all pressed into the pie dish. Using a 1/4-cup metal dry measuring cup is the perfect tool for pressing it along the bottom and edges of the pie plate.
When I was working on the key lime version of this pie, I found this specific combination of sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, and juice to be perfect. You’ll notice that there are no egg yolks in this lemon filling but the recipe still calls for you to bake the pie. I often get questions about that step.
This step isn’t important to the integrity of the filling in terms of it setting. Baking it warms the filling enough to allow the air bubbles that get mixed into it to rise to the top and burst, giving you dense, creamy, silky pie filling.
When it comes to topping this pie, I prefer fresh whipped cream, which I included in the recipe, but there are plenty of other options. Meringue, Cool Whip, whipped topping in a can, or nothing at all are all great options. The recipe I’ve included for the whipped cream will give you enough whipped cream to top the pie entirely with some to spare. I chose not to use it all in the photos for this recipe so y’all could see that luscious lemon filling under it. If you want to use less, feel free to scale the recipe for the whipped cream back.
Regardless of what tops it or what kind of crust you use, I know y’all are going to love this one!
Easy Lemon Cream Pie
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) deep dish prepared graham cracker crust
- 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed milk and sour cream. Once smooth, add the lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Pour into the prepared pie crust. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Cool on the counter, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Once ready to serve, beat the cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks. Top the pie with the whipped cream and serve.
Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter in a medium bowl, being sure the mixture is well blended and all the crumbs are moistened. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom and sides of an un-greased 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling.
Sherry Coffey says
Would bottled lemon juice work?
Stacey says
It should, but won’t have as fresh a flavor.
Linda Banks says
I can’t wait to try this! It looks absolutely delicious! I love lemon pie, especially in the summertime. Thanks, for all your hard work supplying your readers with these mouth watering recipes.
Denise says
I needed 2 lemons for some other recipes and my husband came home with a bag of beautiful lemons. They didn’t have single lemons. So glad now! I know what I am going to do with the extras! This looks delicious!!
Stacey says
It was MEANT to be!
Kara Brocious says
You really only need to bake for 6-8 minutes?
Stacey says
Really don’t have to bake at all but the quick bake helps to bring any bubbles to the surface so that you have a beautiful, dense pie.
Sharon Schmidt says
OMGOSH it’s the best. Melts in your mouth. I didn’t think any thing could be better than lemon meringue pie. , Wow I was soooo wrong. And twice as easy to make. Thank you from San Diego
Sharon
Stacey says
So glad you loved it!
Sharon Schmidt says
P.S. keep them coming
Sharon
LOUISE says
It says to put filling in prepared Graham crackers crust. Do I bake the crust first, cool, pour in the filling and bake again?
Stacey says
If you’re using a store-bought crust, there’s no need to bake the crust beforehand. If you’re making a homemade crust, you’ll follow those directions (which often include baking it) and then cool, add the filling, and bake again.
Kathi Harris says
Like your recipe
I’m from PA. We northerns celebrate everything with food also. Don’t know why people only think Italians and southerners do
carol rueve says
terrific…i did add lemon extract for a more lemon taste..i also made one in muffin tin the same way..was great for quick snacks..
Stacey says
Oh good idea, thanks!
Lori Bagley says
I made this for a family reunion this weekend. I brought home a tiny sliver and was looking forward to relishing it when my hubby walked in the living room with the whole pie plate in his hands. He said, I didn’t think you had any pie left! I just looked in the fridge and there it was. He said it was good. I’ll just have to make another to see for myself. 😆
P S. It was so easy!
Stacey says
LOVE this story!
Jody Harrington says
The lemon pie is absolutely delicious, perfection. Thank you.
Stacey says
Thank you! So glad you loved it!