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Why use store-bought pie crust when you can make your own easy graham cracker crust that’ll taste even better? With just three simple ingredients, you can have a homemade pie crust that’s perfect for baked and no-bake pies, cookie bars, and other homemade desserts.
The key to most any pie or dessert is a really good crust. But, if the thought of making your own pie crusts seems a little scary, then you’re going to love this recipe! This beautiful pie crust is buttery, crunchy, and it takes less than 10 minutes to make from start to finish!
Not only is it easy to make but it creates the most amazing base for just about any dessert. I use this recipe as a crust in these Bite Size Unicorn Cheesecakes, which are always a huge hit, but you can use it in any recipe that calls for a graham cracker crust.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Few Ingredients: Graham crackers, butter and sugar; that’s all it takes to make your own graham cracker crust! These are ingredients you probably already have on hand.
- Simple steps: This is an easy crust that anyone can make. It doesn’t require special baking skills or equipment. Just mix the ingredients together and press into a pie pan. It is just that easy.
- Baking not required: This is a great recipe for a no-bake pie. The crumb mixture firms up while it’s in the fridge. This recipe can be used for a baked pie as well. It’s just a wonderful and versatile go-to recipe to keep on hand.
- Quality: Nothing beats the way homemade graham cracker crust tastes. No more buying store-bought crust only to get them home and see they have broken. This makes the perfect crust every time.
- Versatility: This recipe calls for a 9-inch pie pan. But you can use this recipe to bake desserts in a tart pan, a springform pan. You can even use this recipe in a 9×9 baking dish.
Ingredients in this Homemade Graham Cracker Crust Recipe
Graham Crackers: For this recipe, regular graham crackers are used. You can use the cinnamon sugar ones. Just make sure the cinnamon flavor will work with the pie filling you are using.
Butter: Salted butter is preferred. The little bit of saltiness helps to enhance and balance out the flavors in the crackers and sugar. If all you have is unsalted butter, just add a tiny pinch of salt to the graham cracker mixture.
Sugar: White granulated sugar works best in this recipe. The sugar crystals work with the butter as a binder to help hold the crust together. It also helps give the crust that signature sandy texture. You can also use a combination of white sugar and brown sugar if you prefer.
TIP: If you’re making a dessert with a no-bake crust, use 6 tablespoons of melted butter. If you are baking the dessert, use 5 tablespoons. The extra butter in the no-bake version helps the crust stick together better.
How to make Easy Graham Cracker Crust
Step 1: Finely crush graham crackers using a food processor. You can also crush them by placing them in a large plastic bag and mashing them with a rolling pin.
Step 2: Melt butter in a small microwave safe bowl covered with paper towel.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar.
Step 4: Pour in melted butter and stir until well mixed.
Step 5: Put the mixture in a 9-inch pie plate.
Step 6: Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan. Work it up the sides of the pie plate as you go. It helps to use the flat bottom of a measuring cup or a glass to help press it evenly.
Do I Have To Bake Homemade Graham Cracker Pie Crust?
To bake or not to bake, that is the question! Here are a few tips to help you make that decision:
- If you’re making the crust for a baked dessert, you do not need to bake the crust in advance. All you have to do is fill the pie crust and bake accordingly.
- If the recipe specifically calls for you to bake the crust prior to filling it, bake in a 375- degree oven for 20 minutes.
- For a no-bake recipe, you’ll want to place the crust in the refrigerator for an hour or more. This gives the butter time to help firm up the crust and keep it from crumbling.
Do I Have To Use A Food Processor?
You don’t have to use a food processor, though it does help crush the cracker crumbs to a fine texture quicker. You can do the same thing with a large Ziploc bag and a rolling pin or kitchen mallet.
Can I Make This Pie Crust In Advance?
You sure can. It’s a great make ahead recipe. You can make the crust up to a week in advance. To keep the crust fresh, wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you are ready to make the filling.
This crust freezes well for up to 3 months which is a huge time saver and can really help you get a jump on making all your no-bake dessert recipes.
Variations of the Classic Graham Cracker Crust
After you’ve made this recipe once or twice, next time you can experiment with some of these easy variations:
- Graham crackers: In place of the graham crackers, you can use vanilla wafers, crushed up sugar ice cream cones or ginger snaps. You can use most any super crunchy cookies in this recipe.
- If your recipe calls for a chocolate graham cracker crust, you can use Oreo cookies or other chocolate wafer cookies or you can use a couple tablespoons of coco powder. Just be sure and add enough butter to keep the crust nice and moist.
- Pecans add a nice nutty flavor to pie crusts. To add pecans to this recipe, chop them super fine, almost into a meal texture. Add about 3 tablespoons of crush pecans to each crust. Again, be sure and add enough butter to keep the same consistency,
- Pumpkin cheesecake and other rich fall desserts are great with a spiced graham cracker crust. Add in 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to give your pie extra flavor.
Want More Easy No Bake Recipes?
- No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bites
- Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies
- No Bake Cheesecake Bites
- Candy Cane Inspired Mini No Bake Cheesecakes
- No Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
Easy Graham Cracker Crust Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs about 10 whole graham crackers
- 5-6 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Finely crush graham crackers in a food processor. You can also crush them by placing them in a large plastic bag and mashing them with a rolling pin.1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- Melt butter in a small microwave safe bowl covered with paper towel.5-6 Tablespoons salted butter
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar in a mixing bowl.1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar
- Add the melted butter and stir until well mixed.5-6 Tablespoons salted butter
- Add mixture to a 9-inch pie plate.
- Press the graham cracker mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan, working it up the sides of the pie plate as you go. It's helpful to use the flat bottom of a measuring cup or a glass to help press it evenly.
Notes
- If you’re making this graham cracker crust for a no-bake dessert, you should use 6 tablespoons of butter. If the dessert will be baked, use 5 tablespoons. Using extra butter in the no-bake version will help the crust stick together better.
- This recipe also works for cheesecakes or other recipes using a springform pan.
- If using a 13×9 pan, you’ll want to double the recipe.
- For a quicker version, buy the graham cracker crumbs already crushed.
