The Easiest Lemon Pudding Pie

Hey y’all! I’m back with another easy recipe–Lemon Pudding Pie. This is a delicious triple-layer pie that only requires 8 minutes in the oven. The crust is the only thing that needs to bake. This pie takes about 15 minutes of prep work and a few hours to chill! Perfect for those hot summer months.

This past weekend, I was craving lemon pie. Nothing else would satisfy my craving except some lemon pudding pie. So, what’s a girl to do? She makes a lemon pudding pie, of course.

Homemade Lemon Pudding Pie on a black plate with a fork and text overlay.

Don’t Just Make One–Make Two Lemon Pies!

And I didn’t just make one lemon pie –I made two. Yes, two pies. Make one to keep at home and another to go to a gathering. Lemon desserts are always a hit with the family. See, I know my family, and I knew that one pie just wouldn’t do. Just thinking ahead!

My Lemon Icebox Pie is another fabulous recipe perfect for the warmer months. It’s made with fresh lemon juice and has a creamy lemon pie filling. A lemony pie you will undoubtedly enjoy.

What is Lemon Pudding Pie?

This pie may look time-consuming at first glance, but it’s really relatively easy. I can’t call this a no bake lemon pudding pie because the first layer crust does need to bake for a few short minutes. The three layers come together rather quickly. The first layer is the crust, the second layer is the lemon layer, and the third layer is the whipped topping.  The pie is creamy and light. I’m not a meringue fan, but I am a cool whip fan and that’s what I use in this recipe.

Lemon Pudding Pie is famous here in the south. But, it’s especially popular to eat during the spring and the hot summer months.  This pie is perfect for the hot months. The crust needs to be baked for 8 minutes. Only 8 minutes! That’s it—no more baking required!

lemon pudding pie
Lemon Pudding Pie

Lemon Pudding Pie is great for a potluck, bbq, family gathering, or holiday. It usually ends up on our table at Easter and many times during the summer. It is a cool and refreshing dessert.

** This pie is also great in the morning for breakfast! Just saying!!

Ingredients for Lemon Pie

All of these ingredients can easily be found in your local grocery store. For the full recipe, see the printable recipe card below.

Ingredients needed for Lemon Pudding Pie with text overlay.

Graham Crackers– Use to make a homemade graham cracker crust.

Butter– Mixed with the crumbs to make a buttery crust.

Sugar– Just a little white sugar is needed to make the pie sweeter.

Cream Cheese– This makes the lemon pudding layer more delicious.

Lemon Instant Pudding Mix– The instant lemon pudding mix makes the filling so creamy.

Milk– I use whole milk.

Cool Whip– I use the package of Cool Whip in the freezer section.

How to Make Homemade Lemon Pudding Pie

First: Make the Crust. 

1. Crush graham crackers to crumbs in a food processor or beat in a zip-top bag. 

2. In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/3 cup sugar. 

3. Mix until well blended. 

4. Press into a greased 8.5″ x 11″ baking dish—Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Let cool completely.

Next: Make the Filling. 

1. In a stand mixer, cream (8 ounces) cream cheese until smooth. 

2. Sprinkle in the pudding mix until blended with the cream cheese. 

3. Slowly add milk. Blend until smooth. 

4. Let stand for about 5 minutes to thicken. 

5. Pour over crust.

Then: Make the Topping.

1. In a stand mixer, beat (8 ounces) cream cheese until smooth.

2. Add 1/3 cup sugar and mix until combined.

 3. Fold in Cool Whip.

4. Gently spread on top of the pudding layer.

5. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight.

Finally: Let Chill. 

Waiting on this pie to set will take some will power. It needs to be refrigerated for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. I did sneak a little corner piece 2 hours after I made it, and it was fine. But, it really did need a little extra time to set. So, wait! It will be so worth it.

Lemon Pudding Pie on a black plate with text overlay.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This recipe has a creamy lemon filling with instant pudding and a buttery graham cracker crust.
  • It’s topped with a delicious Cool Whip mixture and chilled until ready to serve.
  • Easy dessert to make and great tasting.
  • Perfect choice for hot summer days and will be a hit at any gathering.

Tips for Easy Lemon Pudding Pie

  • You can undoubtedly make a homemade pudding if you like. However, I prefer the instant pudding. It’s thick and has a ton of lemon flavor. 
  • Add some fresh raspberries or strawberries on the side for those who might like a fruit topping.
  • Top with lemon zest or fresh lemon slices if desired.
  • It can easily be made a day ahead. The crumb crust stays crunchy for days
  • Chill for a couple of hours before slicing and serving.

How to Serve and Store Lemon Pudding and Cool Whip Cream Pie

This pie is served as a dessert after the main meal. But I certainly won’t judge if you decide you like it better for breakfast. Lemon pie will easily keep covered in the refrigerator for 4-6 days. 

Main Dishes This Pie Goes Well With:

Honestly, this pie is excellent as a dessert after any meal. A few of my favorite meals that usually end up on our monthly rotation are Chicken and Dumplings, Homemade Sloppy Joes, Skillet Fried Pork Chops, and Grilled Buffalo Chicken Tenders.

For More Lemon Recipes:

The Easiest Lemon Pudding Pie
The Easiest Lemon Pudding Pie

If you love lemon desserts, check out my Glazed Lemon Blossoms. They are the perfect bite-sized cakes bursting with lemon flavor.

Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake is a show stopping dessert. It is a perfectly moist, lemony cake with sweet juicy blueberries. 

Homemade Lemonade is an easy lemonade recipe to keep you cool all summer long.

Strawberry Lemonade Recipe is a summer favorite. It’s fast to make and refreshing.

Lemon Icebox Pie is full of tart lemon juice and a creamy center. A dessert that is hard to resist. 

For More Great Desserts

If you are looking for something with a little chocolate, try Milk and Cookie Oreo Dessert. It is also family approved!

Fresh Homemade Peach Sauce is a super-fast topping for ice cream, cheesecake, or pancakes. This sauce adds terrific flavor to anything you serve it on.

FAQ’s

The lemon pie filling is made with instant lemon pudding, cream cheese, and milk. It’s creamy and light

This pie needs chill time in the refrigerator before slicing and serving. 6-8 hours or overnight is recommended for the pudding to set.

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Lemon Pudding Pie

The Easiest Lemon Pudding Pie

Gina Abernathy
A triple layer lemon pie that is a cool and delicious dessert perfect for the summer months. Great for barbecues, potlucks, family gatherings and holidays.
5 from 17 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 10 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups graham crackers, finely crushed
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 8oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 2 3.4 ounce boxes lemon instant pudding mix
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 16 ounces Cool Whip

Instructions
 

  • Crust: In a food processor, blend graham crackers until crackers are crumbs. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and 1/3 cup sugar. Mix until well blended. Press into a greased 8.5″ x 11″ baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Let cool completely.
  • Filling: In a stand mixer, cream (8 ounces) cream cheese until smooth. Sprinkle in the pudding mix until blend with the cream cheese. Slowly add milk. Blend until smooth. Let stand for about 5 minutes to thicken. Pour over crust.
  • Topping: In a stand mixer, beat (8 ounces) cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/3 cup sugar and mix until combined. Fold in Cool Whip. Gently spread on top of the pudding layer. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Keyword Dessert, instant pudding,, lemon pie

28 Comments

  1. This Lemon Pie recipe will be perfect for my family. We are in the south too, in Georgia, and avoid using our oven in the summer.

  2. 5 stars
    This looks delicious! I live in Arizona; it’s so hot here, so this recipe is perfect. I have never made a homemade lemon pie before, so I am so excited. Thanks for the recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    I love lemon pies! I haven’t had a pudding pie since my mother-in-law was alive, and I always liked them then. This one looks so easy and quick! Thanks for all the helpful tips on how to make it a success. Definitely trying.

  4. 5 stars
    This right here is super dangerous! I love all things lemon, and this looks easy enough for this non baker right here to make. Which means I will be whipping this up on a regular basis. So while my scale is not going to thank you, my heart surely does!

  5. Yum! I would definitely make two of these as well!! My husband would eat one to himself, I’m sure. I love lemon though so I’d need at least a slice!

  6. 5 stars
    We have a few lemon dessert lovers in the house, including me. This dessert is perfect for summer entertaining. Easy to make for stress free cooking.

  7. 5 stars
    The best dessert ever. my family loved this for their after dinner treat and I will be making this again tomorrow for my friends.

  8. 5 stars
    I was in desperate need of a good lemon pie recipe and this one was right on the money. I made it today and I can barely wait to have a slice tomorrow. Thank you. I know it will be my go to recipe from now on.

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