Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Pie with Just 5 Ingredients

Strawberry lemonade pie is the ultimate dessert that can be served any time of year. It’s amazingly creamy and rich with a bright lemon flavor, and the addition of sweet, juicy fresh strawberry slices makes it even better. Like a refreshing glass of lemonade with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It will hold it’s shape so you get beautiful slices every time.

Try a Refreshing Lemonade Pie with Strawberries

There’s nothing quite like a cool glass of iced lemonade on a hot summer day, add a few strawberry slices and you’re all set. That’s what this pie will remind you of, cool and refreshing, both tart and sweet. The perfect ending to a dinner of juicy ribs and macaroni salad.

The sliceable yet soft texture of the custard filling comes from a combination of egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk. But I promise the pie won’t be too sweet – the tartness from the lemon juice balances the sweetness from the condensed milk. The creamy custard is packaged in a buttery, slightly crisp graham cracker crust– you’ll get the perfect bite every time. 

This is not a no-bake pie which means it will hold it’s shape as it comes to room temperature. Baking it gives you a firm pie that will stay intact.

If you love lemon flavors, then this pie is for you. With real juice from four lemons plus lemon zest, the flavor is not hidden like it can be when you use a lemon concentrate. The strawberries are just sliced on the top to give you that strawberry lemonade flavor. It’s not a pink lemonade pie but it still has all the flavors.

Strawberry lemonade icebox pie is both a mouthwatering dessert and so easy to make. In total, it only has five ingredients. You don’t need fancy equipment. The pie barely needs any time in the oven, which means you get an ultra-enjoyable, crowd-pleasing treat without heating up your kitchen too much.

This pie needs to chill in the refrigerator once it’s baked which it is sometimes called an “icebox pie”. This means it’s ideal for making ahead of time. Bring it to a dinner party, cookout, potluck, or birthday party for a refreshing and simple dessert that everyone will love. 

How to Serve an Icebox Lemonade Pie

This lemonade pie with condensed milk is a creamy, dreamy, fruity dessert perfect for rounding out any meal.

Try serving it after you’ve enjoyed some super flavorful marinated grilled chicken, corn and cucumber salad made with seasonal veggies, and tender, simple drop biscuits.

Enjoy it with a dollop of fresh homemade whipped cream, grab a fork, and dig right in. Really love lemon pies? When you’ve devoured this one, Try a no bake lemon chiffon pie with a super light texture, or a rich lemon chess pie. You’ll love a lemon-lime Atlantic Beach Pie which also has sweetened condensed milk, with tangy flavors and a saltine crust!

What is an icebox pie?

Icebox pie is super popular in the South, especially in the summer months. Icebox pies are usually made with a graham cracker or other press-in crust and a filling made with sweetened condensed milk. An icebox pie only needs a few minutes in the oven and are often served with whipped cream on top. As the name implies, they need to refrigerate before serving.

Do I really need fresh lemon juice and zest? 

Fresh lemon juice and zest make all the difference in pie recipes, especially in a recipe like this one that has a very short cooking time. Fresh lemon juice and zest give this pie its incredible lemon flavor, and bottled lemon juice just doesn’t taste the same.

Lemons are fairly inexpensive, and juicing and zesting them is a quick process that is more than worth it for the flavor you get by using fresh lemon. Not sure how best to squeeze a lemon? I have a hack for that. Learn how to get the most juice from your lemon!

Why You’ll Love Strawberry Lemonade Pie

• Quick and easy: This pie comes together in just a few minutes with simple ingredients. The pie only needs a few minutes to set up in the oven before it chills in the fridge for several hours. Great for make ahead events.

• Flavorful and fresh: Bright lemon juice, citrusy zest, creamy condensed milk, and crisp, buttery graham cracker crust create a super flavorful summer dessert. 

• Perfectly refreshing: It’s the ideal treat for those hot summer days, leaving you feeling refreshed and satisfied without being too heavy or complicated. 

What is sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is made by heating milk to evaporate some of the water. Sugar is added for sweetness and preservation before the milk is canned. The result is a thick, almost syrupy consistency that has a strong milk flavor and is perfect for all kinds of baked goods. It’s excellent in this pie and is an easily accessible ingredient that makes this recipe super simple to make. 

Lemonade Pie Recipe Ingredients

• Graham Crackers – Graham crackers make the perfect crust for an icebox pie. You can also use vanilla wafer cookies or buy a box of graham cracker crumbs. 

• Butter – Butter binds together the graham cracker crust. The buttery flavor is the best part of a graham cracker crust – you can use unsalted or salted butter, but if you use salted butter, don’t add any additional salt to the recipe.

• Egg Yolks – Egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk make the custardy pie filling. 

• Sweetened Condensed Milk – Sweetened condensed milk adds creaminess, sweetness, and a milky flavor to the pie filling. 

• Fresh Lemons – Fresh lemons are essential for the bright, refreshing lemon flavor. The zest and juice both contribute to the pie and make it oh-so-amazing. 

• Fresh Strawberries – Fresh sliced strawberries top the pie as a sweet and fragrant edible decoration. You can use any fresh fruit you like – sliced mango, blueberries, or sliced kiwi would all be beautiful and tasty. 

• Salt – A pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness of the graham cracker crust. Leave it out if you choose to use salted butter. 

Pro Tip: To make sure a cracker crust comes out of the pie pan easily, try spraying the pie pan with cooking spray first.

How To Make Creamy, Sweet Strawberry Lemonade Pie 

Step 1: Prepare the homemade graham cracker crust. 

Crush the graham crackers in a food processor. Add melted butter and salt, and process until combined. Add the graham cracker mixture to a greased pie dish and press it into the dish using your hands or the bottom of a glass. Refrigerate the crust while you make the filling. (if you don’t want to use a food processor, crush the crackers in a ziplock with a rolling pin or wine bottle and use a fork to incorporate the melted butte.

Step 2: Make the pie filling. 

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Then, add the sweetened condensed milk and lemon zest, and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add the lemon juice while stirring. Let the filling mixture sit for a few minutes to thicken. 

Step 3: Fill the pie crust. 

Pour the filling into the prepared crust. 

Step 5: Bake the pie. 

Bake the pie until fully set– it should not wiggle when you tap the pan. 

Step 6: Chill the pie. 

Cool the pie on the counter for a few minutes before placing it into the refrigerator for a minimum of six hours or up to overnight. Before serving, top the pie with sliced strawberries. Serve slices of pie topped with homemade whipped cream and enjoy a bite of sweet, lemony perfection. 

Pro Tip: If you want pretty swirls of whipped cream or just want it to keep its form for a few day, learn how you can easily stabilize whipped cream.

Tips for Making Perfect Pie

• When crushing the graham crackers, make sure to grind them evenly for the best texture. You can crush them in a food processor or place them into a bag and smash them with a rolling pin or wine bottle.

• The pie needs to set for at least six hours in the refrigerator, but you can chill it for longer – it’s great for making ahead of time. 

• You can use more strawberries on top of the pie for decoration and more flavor. 

• The pie only needs 15 minutes in the oven. Don’t over bake the pie or the filling crack.

How to Store Strawberry Lemonade Pie 

In the fridge – Store any leftovers in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

In the freezer – You can freeze the pie for up to 2 months wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in a freezer bag. You can also store individual slices of pie in small freezer bags or airtight containers.

How to thaw- If you have frozen pie, let it thaw on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving.

What can I use instead of graham crackers?

Graham cracker crust is an easy and tasty way to make a crust for this lemon icebox pie. If you’re looking for another option that might be more interesting, here are some different ideas: 

• Vanilla wafers: Vanilla wafer cookies are sweet, crumbly, and perfect for a press-in pie crust. They’re a bit sweeter than graham crackers, so if you use them, add an extra pinch of salt for balance. 

• Saltine crackers: Saltine crackers are the perfect blank slate for building a tasty dessert. Add a few tablespoons of sugar to balance the saltiness. 

• Cornflakes: Grind cornflakes into fine crumbs and mix with butter for an exciting take on a classic crust. 

• Biscoff cookies or Shortbread cookies: Both will add a unique flavor.

Icebox Pie FAQs

Can I use a pre-made pie crust?

Yes, if you’re short on time, a pre-made, store-bought crust will work just fine.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Fresh strawberries are preferable, but you can use thawed frozen strawberries they just won’t be as pretty. You can also use a few spoonfuls of strawberry jam as a topping if you don’t have whole strawberries available. 

Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice?

You can use limes instead of lemons for a limeade icebox pie. Limes tend to be more tart than lemons, so keep that in mind if you choose to use lime juice. 

More Crowd-Pleasing Summer Pie Recipes to Love

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