This no-bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie is one of my favorite desserts. It’s super creamy, brightened up with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a cinch to make!
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Pin RecipeAs a child, I can remember my mom making this pie for picnics and family gatherings. She didn’t normally add lemon to the cream cheese mixture, but instead would top it with canned blueberry or cherry pie topping.
I love my mom’s way of making it, but I tweaked it to create this Lemon Cream Cheese Pie recipe, which has a bright citrus flavor like Homemade Lemon Meringue Pie. It turned out delicious and it’s become a recipe I make regularly for family gatherings!
No-Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie Recipe
I can’t forget to mention that this is a no-bake Lemon Cream Pie, which means it’s oh-so-easy to make! You can use a simple homemade graham cracker crust (I share my recipe below!) or a store-bought crust. Then, you just stir together the filling ingredients and chill the pie for three or four hours, or until it has set.
With sour cream, cream cheese, and whipped topping, you know this Lemon Cream Cheese Pie is super creamy, but the addition of lemon is a nice counterbalance to all that richness so it doesn’t feel like a heavy dessert. You can garnish it with additional Cool Whip, fresh lemon slices, candied lemon peel, or keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar!
(Can’t get enough lemon desserts? Try my Lemon Cupcakes or Lemonade Cake next! Or make this Custard Pie and add lemon curd on top!)
Ingredients For No-Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
For the crust:
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Sugar
- Butter
For the filling:
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese – To make the filling easier to mix, let the cream cheese sit on the countertop for 30 to 45 minutes so it softens a bit.
- Cool Whip
- Sour cream
- Freshly-squeezed lemon juice – Try making this recipe with lime juice instead for something different!
- Lemon zest – I recommend using a fine zester so you don’t get big pieces of lemon peel in the creamy filling.
- Sugar
How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
- Make the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Mix the crust ingredients in a small mixing bowl, then press them into a 9-inch pie plate. Bake for 8 minutes, then cool completely.
- Make the Filling: Add the softened cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest, then fold in the Cool Whip.
- Assemble and Refrigerate: Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, or until the filling is set. Serve with a dollop of Cool Whip and a lemon slice.
Quick Tip!
Make sure all of your ingredients for the filling, especially the cream cheese, are at room temperature before combining. This will ensure a smooth filling without any lumps!
How to Store Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
If you have any leftover pie, you can place a piece of plastic wrap over the pie plate and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or transfer slices to an airtight storage container. You can also freeze this recipe for up to 2 months; wrap it with 2 layers of plastic wrap, then a layer of foil to protect against freezer burn. Let the pie thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
FAQs
This Lemon Cream Cheese Pie is a little bit different from a typical lemon pie; the filling is made with sour cream, cream cheese, whipped topping, lemon, and sugar. This makes it much easier to whip up than a traditional lemon cream pie!
You don’t need a juicer to juice a lemon! Simply cut it into quarters, then squeeze the juice into a bowl. Remove any seeds, then use the juice in the recipe. (Have a leftover lemon after making this recipe? Here’s how to use half a lemon!)
This Lemon Cream Cheese Pie should be eaten chilled. Don’t warm it up—the filling will melt!
More Tasty Lemon Treats To Try
Recipes
Lemon Drop Cupcakes
Breakfast
Lemon Muffins
Quick & Easy Desserts
Easy Lemon Bars
Recipes
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Quick & Easy Desserts
Lemon Bars
Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
Equipment
- 9 Inch Pie Plate
- Mixing bowls
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1/3 cup butter
Filling
- 2 (8 oz) package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 (4 oz) tub of Cool Whip
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Mix all ingredients together until blended. Pack firmly into 9-inch pie plate and press up sides and bottom (can be made into two smaller pies if desired).1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp sugar, 1/3 cup butter
- Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool before filling.
For the Filling:
- Mix together softened cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream with blender until smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Next, fold in cool whip until mixed thoroughly.2 (8 oz) package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2/3 cup sugar, zest of 1 lemon
- Garnish with a dollop of cool whip and a fresh lemon slice just for kicks.1 (4 oz) tub of Cool Whip
- Pour into cooled pie crust and chill for 3-4 hours.
I haven’t made this recipe yet, but I wanted to question the amount of Cool Whip.
Tubs come in 8 or 16 oz, and the recipe says 14oz? Can someone please clarify. Thank You.
It should read as 1 (4 oz) tub! We will clarify that. 😊
I love it ! I made it today, but as desserts in Glas ! I’ll make a pie later next month when my daughter comes with my grandkids .
Thank you for the recipe ♥️
Tina
Absolutely the perfect balance is sweet to tart. HOWEVER, pay attention to the part about making sure your cream cheese is softened; I thought mine was good to go, but I ended up having to transfer from my blender to my mixer due to tripping a breaker. Guess the blender was working too hard! Great pie, though😁
I used whipped Cream cheese, it’s awesome
no nutritional value included. would make for my 12 year old diabetic if I had better information
Wonderful recipe! If you are really craving a tart lemon pie, this is the one! I made a couple of my own changes. I used sugar free vanilla cook and serve pudding mix and subbed 3/4 of the milk with fresh squeezed lemon juice and cut the sour cream. But this is still a good recipe!
What is Cool Whip is it ordinary cream whipped please ???
Cool Whip is a non dairy and processed version of whipped cream. This recipe would taste better and be richer with real whipped cream. Just my opinion.
I love everything lemon, I might just have to make this!
This looks delicious. I like lemon or lime pies. I like the tart taste along with the sweet.
I just made a cherry cheese pie last week (my fave!), but I’m definitely going to try this recipe..it sounds yummy!
My mother in law would love this!
This sounds like it would be great for picnics. I wish I knew the recipes to all my moms goodies when I was a kid….yummy
Lemon cream cheese pie-I have to make this!! I love lemon and I love cheesecake, this is the best of both worlds! I will just have to delay that diet I was going to start!
looks SO good.. lemon pie is my absolute favorite.. i’m so hungry now! you should never show a pregnant person this kind of food! lol
That looks yummy and so perfect for summer!
I had forgotten about Mom’s pie. It was very good, but I bet I would like your lemon style maybe a little more. Just because I don’t really care for the gooey consistency the fruit turns into when its mixed with the glaze stuff.
Yeah, you’re not much of a fruit girl. LOL But, I’m not much of one either!