Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- Optional: 1 tbsp melted butter if crumbs seem dry
Strawberry Lemon Cream Filling
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 8 oz whipped topping, thawed
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, finely diced and patted dry
Decoration
- 8 oz whipped topping
- Fresh strawberry halves
- Thin lemon slices
- Fresh lemon zest
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
2.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate using the bottom of a measuring cup.
Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
3.
Beat the softened cream cheese for about 2 minutes until perfectly smooth.
4.
Add powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Beat another 2 minutes.
5.
Fold in the whipped topping gently using a silicone spatula.
Do not overmix.
6.
Pat the diced strawberries dry with paper towels.
Fold them carefully into the filling.
7.
Spread evenly into the chilled crust.
Smooth the top with an offset spatula.
Tap the pie gently on the counter to remove air bubbles.
8.
Cover without touching the surface.
Refrigerate at least 6 hours.
For best results chill overnight.
9.
Decorate with whipped topping.
Arrange strawberry halves.
Add lemon slices, lemon zest, graham cracker crumbs and mint leaves.
10.
Slice using a knife dipped into hot water.
Clean the knife between each slice.
Serve cold.
Notes
✔ Always use full-fat cream cheese.
✔ Fresh lemon juice produces much better flavor than bottled juice.
✔ Dry the strawberries thoroughly before adding them to the filling.
✔ Overnight chilling gives the cleanest slices.
✔ If your crust feels too crumbly, mix in one additional tablespoon of melted butter.
✔ For bakery-quality slices, freeze the pie for 20 minutes before cutting.
✔ Do not freeze after decorating with fresh fruit.
- Prep Time: 25 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian