Lemon Icebox Pie is a rich and creamy no bake dessert. No bake lemon icebox pie is always a crowd favorite and super easy to make.
We love Lemon Desserts, and this irresistible lemon icebox pie is a family favorite. I get lots of request for this simple pie. Everyone just loves it for all occasions.
I also make Lemon Pudding Cake, Lemon Blossoms and Lemonade Pie frequently.
Table of contents
Why This Recipe Works
The idea of an icebox cake is layering a cookie and cream base. The options are endless as to what can be added. As long as you have this base, you can easily put together an icebox cake.
The process takes less than 15 minutes to make the pie filling and pour into the pie plate.
Why is it called Icebox Pie?
Back in the day, a refrigerator used to be called an icebox. Therefore it was marketed with the icebox cakes as an easy no bake dessert idea.
Ingredients
- Premade Graham Cracker Pie Crust. You can make a Graham Cracker Pie Crust if you prefer using a food processor.
- Cream Cheese. Softened at room temperature.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk. This helps to make the pie rich and delicious. I like Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk, but you can use what you prefer.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice. Fresh is best!
- Grated Lemon Peel. This adds an extra touch of citrus flavor.
Find the entire ingredients for this recipe at the bottom of the page.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make a Lemon Lime Pie – You can substitute some of the lemon juice with lime juice to add to the pie filling. Really any zest would work.
- Add More Lemon – We love lemon and we like to squeeze in extra lemon juice. Lemon gives a tart and tangy flavor to your pie.
- Variation for the Crust – You can use the regular graham crackers, vanilla wafers or even chocolate chip cookies.
How to Make Lemon Icebox Pie
Step 1. In a large bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together. I used an electric mixer.
Step 2. Make sure all ingredients are combined. The texture should be creamy.
Step 3. Spread the mixture evenly in the graham cracker crust in the pie pan.
Step 4. Chill in the fridge. Garnish the top of the pie if desired before serving with lemon slices and lemon zest.
Pro Tips
- Add Lemon Slices – I also like to garnish with a few lemon slices. It just looks so pretty. If I add lime juice to pie filling, I also add lime wedges to the pie.
- Graham Cracker Crumbs – You can also sprinkle a few graham cracker crumbs on top.
- Refrigerate – The key to make sure all your ingredients combine together is to allow you icebox cake to rest for about 4 hours.
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice – We recommend using fresh lemon juice and not the bottle lemon juice. The flavoring is so much better than the bottle lemon juice.
How to Serve Lemon Ice Box Pie
- Serve Lemon Ice Box Cold – We love Lemonade Icebox Pie served fresh out of the refrigerator or you can place in the freezer.
- Enjoy with your Morning Coffee – Pie and Coffee just go together.
- Ice Cream – You can even serve this pie with a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
- Top with Whipped Cream – Serve with whipped cream if desired. Homemade Whipped Cream is amazing and so easy to make until peaks form. It only requires heavy cream and sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
The icebox cake will last about 3 days in the refrigerator. It is always better the next day when all the ingredients had softened. But after the 3-day mark, the ingredients can get soggy, and the texture isn’t good.
Make sure to place any leftovers in the refrigerator covered with a plastic wrap. You can also make Red White and Blue Icebox Cake for another easy variation.
Yes, you can freeze this cake. Before freezing, make sure you let the cake refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Then cover the cake with plastic wrap and then again with foil.
We wait to add the topping when we are ready to serve. It will last in the freezer for about 1 month. You can serve it frozen, or let it thaw in the refrigerator.
This is a prefect cake to make ahead for your celebration or you next family gathering.
Try More Lemon Desserts
More Easy Pies
- No Bake Hershey Pie Recipe
- Kool-Aid Pie Recipe
- No Bake Oreo Pie Recipe
- Margarita Pie
- Try one of these 30 Best Pie Recipes
Give this Lemon Pie a try and leave a comment please. I love hearing from you!
Lemon Icebox Pie
Ingredients
- 1 premade graham cracker pie crust
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- (1) 14 oz condensed milk
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoons grated lemon peel
Instructions
- In large bowl, beat everything but the crust until smooth. Spread evenly in crust. Refrigerate 4 hours but no longer than 8 hours.
- Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Delicious! Would this pie freeze ok with the cream cheese in it?
Yes, I think it would freeze great!