This buttery homemade graham cracker crust is the perfect blend of sweet and salty and is super easy to make.
There’s something about a buttery, sweet, and salty graham cracker crust that makes for the perfect vessel for just about any pie. And while I am certainly no stranger to the convenience of a pre-made crust, sometimes I want to make a recipe a little special and make the crust, too. Making a homemade graham cracker crust is easy and tastes way better than store-bought.
What ingredients do I need to make a homemade graham cracker crust?
All you need to make a delicious and easy graham cracker crust is graham crackers (or graham cracker crumbs), butter, sugar, and salt! Super simple!
Recipes that use a Graham Cracker Crust
Do I need to bake the crust before I add the filling?
In all honesty, it’s totally up to you. I prefer to bake my crust in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. It helps the crust hold together and gives it a great toasty flavor. However, chilling it thoroughly before filling it will also work.
Should I use a food processor to crush the crackers or do it by hand?
I suppose it depends if making this crust falls on a day when you need to get a little frustration out. If so, pop the crackers in a ziptop bag, grab a rolling pin or meat mallet and go to town getting them all crushed up. Otherwise, you can use a food chopper or food processor to crush them.
You can also use the box of graham cracker crumbs already crushed, if you want to save a step.
Ingredient FAQ
Can I use margarine instead of butter in the graham cracker crust?
Yes, you can use margarine instead of butter. The flavor will be a little different, but it will work just fine.
Can I use gluten free graham crackers when making a graham cracker crust?
Sure! Gluten free crackers should work just fine in this recipe.
Can I use another type of cookie instead of graham crackers to make the crust?
Absolutely! Nearly any type of crunchy cookie should work – Oreos, shortbread cookies, butter cookies, vanilla wafers, etc. Just keep in mind that sweeter cookies might not need as much sugar in the crust. Some types of cookies will need less butter in the crust. You can always start with about 4 tablespoons of butter and add more if it’s needed.
Can I use the graham cracker crumbs from the grocery store?
You bet you can! That box of graham cracker crumbs from the store works just as well and saves you a step.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 11 whole crackers)
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ 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.
- Pour the mixture into a 9-inch ungreased pie plate and carefully press the mixture evenly on the bottom and sides of the pie plate. I like to use a ⅓ or ¼ cup dry measuring cup to press it flat.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
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good morning Stacey, thank you for letting me to stay in touch with you about recipes.. I have made my grandma crackers In a different way before in the past. and I will like to keep the eggnob recipe also for the holiday during Christmas if you can send it to me later when I come during Christmas again please. Dawn White
Excellent. Just the perfect amounts. Thank you!
Thanks, Wanda!
I have a tip that has saved me so much money and frustration! Use a cheese grater to make your graham cracker crumbs. Pre-crumbed graham crackers are expensive and beating them in a plastic bag is messy (the bag inevitably explodes). I can crumb an entire box of graham crackers in about 30 seconds with my cheese grater.
What a smart idea! Thanks for sharing, Gini!
I used this recipe for a Lemon Ice Box pie recipe from Our State Magazine ( North Carolina) It was absolutely delicious- the original recipe called for a premade crust and that would not have anywhere near as good
So glad you enjoyed it, Ingird.
Hello Stacey, I have trouble getting the graham cracker crust to come out cleanly. That is, I cut, and it sticks or falls somewhat apart. I have tried different ways but know luck. Can you help me.
Hey there! I totally get your frustration with graham cracker crusts. A couple of tips: make sure to really press the crumbs firmly into the pan to keep it from being crumbly. You could also try using a non-stick spray on your pan to help it release better. Hope that helps!
Came out perfectly! Super simple!
Awesome! Happy to hear it!
Excellent. I love all your recipes, except desserts made with sweetened milk, to sweet.
Thanks, Kathleen!
Hey Stacy, I have just finished making your graham cracker crust. I’m gettin better. They all have been delicious so my grand kids say. My problem was the sides. I had a hard time getting the crust to stick to the sides. So I buttered the sides of the pan, used another of melted, and whadda ya know, it worked great. Thanks, Bud. Grampa bill.
Hey Bud, I love hearing that you’re getting better with each crust—practice makes perfect, right? Buttering the sides of the pan and adding a little extra melted butter is a genius move. Sounds like you’ve cracked the crust code! And if the grandkids are happy, you’re definitely winning. Keep it up, Grampa Bill!
Quick and easy tastes absolutely delicious, easy to make
Thanks so much!
Hi Stacey!! I love a homemade graham cracker crust. Could I double the ingredients to make a crust in a 9×13 pan?
Thanks!!
Yep! I think about 1 1/2 times the recipe will work, but a little extra crust is never a bad thing!
This was excellent! I used 6 Tbls of butter to make the graham cracker crumbs stick together and baked it as the recipe advises. Made the banana cream filling. Whole thing was so good I almost ate the whole thing myself!
Ha! So glad to hear it turned out great for you, Patsy!
Best I have found we only like home made
Thanks, Jennie!
I want the recipe for that peanut butter pie
We’ve got a couple different versions, Karen. If you’ll use the search function and just type in “peanut butter pie”, you’ll see them all and pick the one you want. Hope that helps!
Very clear instructions on the recipes. Videos are great. My first Key Lime Pie and I thought it was going to be too complicated. Perfect desert for the Super Bowl…
Thanks, Glenda! We made a key lime pie for the Super Bowl, too!
This is our favorite graham cracker crust. Very easy. We have found we like it when the grahams aren’t crushed up real fine. Some small chunks left. I also use a raw turbinado sugar. I do bake it every time. It turns out kind of crunchy which my husband and I both really like! Thank you for sharing with us.💕
I’m so glad this one is your favorite!
This Graham Cracker Crust is so simple and easy. My go to crust for all my pies and bars.
Thanks so much, Jo! I’m happy to hear you’ve had so much success with this recipe!