This delicious pie features a fresh lemon filling and whipped cream topping inside of a buttery graham cracker crust. This lemon pie has a bright flavor and super creamy texture that will make it an immediate favorite for citrus lovers.
I like to think of lemon cream pie as the {more delicious} cousin to a lemon meringue pie. This is the perfect cool and refreshing pie for spring and summer.
Jump to:
This lemon cream pie is:
Flavorful: Lemon zest, lemon juice, and freshly whipped cream make this pie sweet and tangy.
Super creamy: You’ll love how smooth and creamy the filling and topping are.
Perfect for spring and summer: This pie and cool and refreshing, perfect for hot days!
Fully homemade: No instant pudding or store bought whipped topping. Each layer of this pie is homemade.
Step by step overview
*Full recipe below in recipe card*
Crust: Make the graham cracker crust by combining graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate and bake for about 10 minutes, until golden and fragrant.
Filling: Make the lemon filling on the stovetop, then set it aside to cool to room temperature. Add the filling to the crust. Refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Topping: Prepare the whipped cream and add it to the pie right before serving.
Recipe tips
- You’ll need about 4 large lemons for this recipe
- Be sure to remove the zest from the lemons before slicing and juicing them
- This pie needs 6+ hours to cool, so this is the perfect make-ahead dessert
- For the best result, use a thick sour cream. I typically use Daisy brand
- You can spread the whipped cream on top of the pie or you can pipe it on using a star tip and piping bag
Serving and storage
This pie should be stored in the refrigerator. It is best within two days of making it.
Serve chilled.
More lemon desserts
Recipe
Lemon Cream Pie
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (145g)
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (70g), melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25g)
Lemon filling:
- 1⅓ cups granulated sugar (266g)
- ⅓ cup cornstarch (43g)
- 1½ cups whole or 2% milk (370g)
- ⅔ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (156g)
- 4 large eggs yolks
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (56g), cubed
- 1½ tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 cup full fat sour cream (238g), use a thick sour cream, I use Daisy brand
Whipped cream:
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream (240g)
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour the graham cracker crumbs into a bowl and stir in the melted butter and sugar. Once all the graham cracker crumbs are moistened, press the crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake the crust for about 10-12 minutes, until fragrant and light golden brown. Set aside to cool.
Lemon filling:
- In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in milk and lemon juice. Place the pan over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened and bubbling. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat.
- Place the egg yolks in a bowl. Slowly add one generous cup (eyeball it) of the hot mixture into the egg yolks, whisking as you pour (this will slowly bring up the temperature of the eggs). Add the egg mixture back to the pan and bring the whole thing to a gentle boil for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat. Stir in butter and lemon zest, mixing until completely combined. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature. This takes about one hour.
- Once cooled, whisk in sour cream. Whisk vigorously to maintain the creamy texture. Pour the lemon filling into cooled the crust. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 6 hours.
Assembly:
- Before serving, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Top the pie with whipped cream. I used a star tip and piped it on, but you can also spread it using a butter knife or offset spatula. If desired, garnish with a sprinkling of finely grated lemon zest.
Notes
- You’ll need about 4 large lemons for this recipe
- Be sure to remove the zest from the lemons before slicing and juicing them
- This pie needs 6+ hours to cool, so this is the perfect make-ahead dessert
- For the best result, use a thick sour cream. I typically use Daisy brand
- You can spread the whipped cream on top of the pie or you can pipe it on using a star tip and piping bag
Nutrition
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!Lemon filling adapted from Taste of Home
Carol Wexler says
In place of sour cream can I use full fat Greek yogurt
Allison says
That should be ok. Just be sure it is thick. Enjoy!
Annelise says
Hi can I freeze the pie the party that I am going to is pushed back a day.I just made it last night. Now its on sunday not Saturday.
Allison says
I don’t recommend freezing this pie.
Alice says
So good! I’ve made this twice now with no changes or substitutions. Everyone loves it. Better and easier than lemon meringue pie in my opinion. Thanks!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Annelise says
hi!
What can I do to make sure the pie stays fresh when the event that I made it for is moved back one day. I made it last night. the event is now this sunday.
Allison says
You can store it tightly covered in the fridge.
Annelise says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I went to a party today and everyone loved it very much. I had only one slice but I’m making it again this week. I will make two pies next time lesson learned the hard way lol. Now I can’t wait to make it next time. 🙂 Annelise
Allison says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Lisa S says
Can this recipe be made using a store-bought graham cracker crust?
Allison says
Sure! You just might have a bit more filling than you need because store bought crusts tend to be a bit smaller. Enjoy!
Marge says
Can almond milk be used instead of milk-lactose intolerant. I’m planning on making this gluten free using gf graham crumbs, that is, if I can use almond milk or maybe coconut cream/milk.
Allison says
Hi, Marge. I’ve only made the recipe as written so I can’t say for sure. You might have to play around with it a bit, but I assume it would work.
Deborah says
This is getting made tomorrow!! I’ve never heard of adding sour cream but it makes total sense! Sounds SO delicious!
I’ll let you know! 🌷
Allison Mattina says
Enjoy! 🙂
Leigh says
Could you use mascarpone instead of sour cream?
Allison Mattina says
Hi, Leigh. I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, but I assume that swap would work. Enjoy!
Robyn says
This pie was delicious and the recipe was easy to follow. However, as another reviewer mentioned, the filling did not set up for me. Fortunately, I froze the combined crust and filling the night before and then put it in the refrigerator a couple hours before serving. Immediately before serving I topped it with the whipped cream, which I had stored separately in the refrigerator. Several guests commented that they especially liked the very cold lemony taste.
Allison Mattina says
Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂
Mimi says
Would the whole/2% be able to be substituted with half and half?
Allison Mattina says
I haven’t tried it, but I assume it would work just fine.