Easy No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe
This creamy lemon icebox pie is an easy no-bake dessert with bright citrus flavor and a buttery graham cracker crust. Whether you’re making it for a summer cookout, holiday gathering, or weeknight treat, you’ll find tips for getting the filling to set properly, preventing a soggy crust, making it ahead, and storing leftovers.
Lemon ice box pie is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day, and it’s sure to bring smiles to all your family and friends. Plus, it’s a cinch to make – no baking required!
What is an icebox pie?
Years before modern refrigeration, people would purchase large chunks of ice and place them in special boxes that were insulated and would hold a block of ice up to 50 pounds. Hence the name, icebox. Believe it or not, there are still people around who refer to their refrigerator as an icebox.
While some icebox pies use eggs and condensed milk, this recipe makes use of convenience items and eliminates the need to be baked. Because it is made with pudding and Cool Whip, keeping the pie frozen is a necessity.
This simple no-bake pudding pie comes together in no time. The hardest part about making it is waiting a couple of hours for it to firm up. While it is always delicious, it is especially welcome during warm weather and makes a great dessert to serve after enjoying barbecue, burgers, etc.
Lemon Icebox Pie vs. Lemon Meringue Pie
If you’ve never made an icebox pie before, here’s how it compares to the classic lemon meringue pie.
| Lemon Icebox Pie | Lemon Meringue Pie |
|---|---|
| No-bake filling | Cooked lemon custard |
| Chilled until firm | Baked |
| Creamy, fluffy texture | Smooth, silky filling |
| Graham cracker crust | Traditional pastry crust |
| Topped with whipped topping or whipped cream | Topped with meringue |
Both are delicious, but lemon icebox pie is much quicker and easier to prepare.
Ingredients
For this sweet, cool dessert, you need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 3.4-ounce box of JELL-O lemon instant pudding mix
- lemon zest
- 16 ounces Cool Whip (thawed)
- 6-ounce graham cracker pie crust
How To Make No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
- Beat half-and-half and the pudding mix in a mixing bowl. I recommend that you start off slowly for about 30 seconds and then increase the speed to HIGH for about 2 minutes.
- Add 8 ounces of Cool Whip. For this recipe, you can either buy two 8-ounce containers or save some plastic (and maybe some money) and buy one 16-ounce container. If you purchase the larger container, simply use half.
Beat at a LOW speed until you no longer see any white from the Cool Whip.
Add some fresh lemon zest for an added layer of brightness. Once you have grated the lemon zest, fold it into the filling.
- Pour the filling into a prepared pie crust. You can either make your own graham cracker crust or buy a 6-ounce crust. Alternatively, you could even bake a regular pie-crust, but then technically this would no longer be a no-bake pie. Minor details – no need to worry about them.
- Spread Cool Whip on top of the lemon filling. If your Cool Whip is too firm because it has not thawed out enough, go ahead and freeze the lemon pie for an hour and allow the Cool Whip to thaw some more in the refrigerator.
If your Cool Whip is nice and soft, you can go ahead and spread it on top of the lemon pie filling. Freeze the pie for 2-3 hours so that it will become firm.
When ready to serve, if the pie is too firm, let it sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing.
Storage Instructions
How Long Does Lemon Icebox Pie Last?
Freeze for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil to help prevent freezer burn.
Many people actually enjoy it partially frozen because it has a texture similar to an ice cream pie. Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes before slicing.
If you enjoy easy, crowd-pleasing pies like this Lemon Icebox Pie, be sure to check out a few more reader favorites from Southern Kissed. The rich No-Bake Mocha Pudding Pie is a chocolate lover’s dream, while the creamy Easy Peanut Butter Pie is always a hit at family gatherings. For individual treats that are fun to serve, try the Mini S’mores Pies, or celebrate berry season with a classic Strawberry Pie bursting with fresh flavor.
No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Place half-and-half and pudding mixture in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix at low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and beat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 8 ounces of Cool Whip and mix on low speed until mixture is well blended. Fold in lemon zest.
- Pour pudding mixture into prepared pie crust.
- Spread remaining Cool Whip on top of lemon pudding mixture. Freeze pie for at least 2 hours.
Nutrition
Video
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Troubleshooting
My Pie Didn’t Set
This usually happens if it wasn’t chilled long enough or if the filling ingredients weren’t measured accurately.
Allow plenty of chilling time – overnight is ideal.
My Filling Is Too Soft
Make sure the whipped topping was completely thawed but still cold before folding it into the filling.
My Pie Is Weeping
Excess moisture can develop if the pie sits for several days or repeatedly warms up and chills again.
For the best texture, keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
Easy Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic recipe, try changing it up.
- Lime pudding for a key lime-inspired dessert
- Cheesecake pudding for a richer filling
- Vanilla wafer crust
- Shortbread cookie crust
- Oreo crust for a chocolate-lemon combination
- Fresh blueberries folded into the filling
- Toasted coconut on top
FAQs
Yes, but it becomes a different recipe.
Using fresh lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks creates a traditional Southern lemon icebox pie that’s baked briefly before chilling.
If you’re looking for a quick, no-bake dessert, instant pudding is still the easiest option.
Fresh lemon juice provides the brightest flavor, but bottled lemon juice works if that’s what you have on hand.
Absolutely. It’s a great shortcut for busy days and that is what I use.
Last Bite
Is lemon your favorite pie flavor, or do you have another chilled dessert you make every summer? Leave a comment below and let me know – I’d love to hear what shows up most often on your dessert table!
