There's nothing more American than pie, so they say, and nothing more festive if you ask me! The holidays are here, and that means pie season, y'all! Making a graham cracker crust at home is super easy, so save yourself some money and skip the store-bought crust and try this buttery, sweet, homemade recipe instead! It works for both baked and no-bake desserts and holds together perfectly when cut. But that's not all! Even though I only use 3 simple ingredients, this recipe yields none, But two shallow 9″ pie crusts! You can definitely have your pie and eat it after following this simple recipe. 🙂
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I know how to make a Traditional Pie Crust It can seem a bit difficult, especially if you are new to baking. But with this easy, no-fail graham cracker pie crust recipe, you needn't worry. It honestly couldn't be easier and you don't have to worry about rolling the dough or getting the perfect flaky texture. And you only need a few ingredients to make it!
Here's what you'll need to make this 3-ingredient graham cracker pie crust:
- Graham Crackers: You can use name-brand or generic graham crackers for this recipe. I use a total of 18 sheets (which is equivalent to 279 grams). You can also use ready-made graham cracker crumbs, as long as you have the same weight. However, it is cheaper and just as easy to pop your own graham crackers!
- Salted Butter: Chop these into small cubes before adding to the food processor. I use salted butter because it adds flavor and the salt balances the sweetness of the crust.
- Light Brown Sugar: It melts in the oven and helps hold the crust together and also adds a little caramelized flavor.
Why Should I Make a Homemade Graham Cracker Crust?
i understand Pre-made crusts are convenient and save time. But trust me, making your own graham cracker crust is worth it small Amount of extra effort. I always find store bought options a little stale and not as buttery and flavorful as this easy recipe. And making your own crust at home makes it more budget-friendly (only $0.71 per crust!).
And not to mention, you can use any leftover crackers to make all kinds of delicious desserts or snacks like I did. s'mores dip or ours Peanut Butter Fluff Cups. So, not only will you have two 9” shallow pie crusts, but you'll also have extra for another treat! Or, if you have a deep pie dish, this recipe will make enough for one pie crust, with a little leftover for crumble on top, if desired. Store-bought crusts can't beat that!
- I prebake my crust, even if I use it in a no-bake recipe. I find that it helps the crust hold its shape better and adds a nice, savory flavor. I recommend baking for 10 minutes if used in a baked pie recipe and 12-15 minutes for a no-bake dessert.
- Don't skip the sugar! It's there to add sweetness and hold the crust together. If you leave it out, your crust may be very crumbly when you cut into it.
- You can use any flavor of graham cracker you like. Honey, cinnamon, or chocolate substitutes would work well in this recipe for graham cracker crust!
How to use
You can use this homemade crust in any recipe that calls for a graham cracker crust. our Key lime pie bar And No-Bake Pretzel Peanut Butter Bars Both use them, but feel free to get creative and try any recipe you like. A classic fruit pie or filling from mine Peanut Butter Pie This crust will be delicious. I'd also swap the vanilla wafer crust between us Lemon Cream Pie Here's a recipe for changing things up a bit. You can also use it as a base Cheesecake!
Carry it forward!
This crust freezes and cools well, so this time of year it's always a pro move to have some prep and ready to go! I make it 2-3 days ahead and then refrigerate until ready to use. If you are freezing it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it for up to 3 months. Make sure your pie dish is freezer-safe before freezing. Thaw it completely before using it in your chosen recipe.
Graham Cracker Crust Recipe
This easy graham cracker crust recipe makes two 9-inch shallow pie crusts! Buttery, sweet and perfect for any baked or no-bake pie.
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- 18 Graham Crackers Sheets (279g) ($0.74)
- 5 tbsp Salted butter, cut into cubes ($0.65)
- 1 tbsp Light brown sugar ($0.03)
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Break up the graham cracker sheets in a food processor.
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Add the salted butter and brown sugar cubes on top of the graham crackers.
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Pulse until a fine, crumbly mixture is formed (consistency of coarse sand).
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Pour half of the graham cracker butter mixture into a 9” deep pie pan and press firmly into the pan with clean, dry hands.
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Add another tablespoon at a time, if necessary, to match the thickness and coverage of the bottom and sides of the crust in your pie pan.*
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Bake the crust in the oven for 10-15 minutes ** until golden brown.
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Remove the crust from the oven, let it cool completely. Use this homemade graham cracker crust with any pie recipe of your choice.
Let's see how Calculate the cost of the recipe here.
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Food processor
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Glass pie plate
**This crust holds together better and has a more pronounced flavor with a quick oven bake. I recommend baking for 10 minutes if you plan to re-bake the crust (eg: cooked fruit pie) or 12-15 minutes if adding a cold filling to finish your pie (eg: pudding or cream pie).
Serving: 19″ pie crustCalories: 865kcalCarbohydrates: 112gProtein: 10gFat: 42gSodium: 1146mgFiber: 5g
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How to Make a Graham Cracker Crust – Step by Step Photo
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Break up 18 graham cracker sheets (279 grams total) in a food processor. Top the graham crackers with 5 tablespoons of salted butter (cut into cubes) and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar.
Pulse until a fine, crumbly mixture is formed (the consistency of coarse sand).
Pour half of the graham cracker butter mixture into a 9” deep pie pan and press firmly into the pan with clean, dry hands. Add another tablespoon at a time, if necessary, to match the thickness and coverage of the crust in your pie pan on the bottom and sides.
Bake the crust in the oven for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove the crust from the oven, let it cool completely.
You can use this homemade graham cracker crust with any pie recipe you like!