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Homemade Graham Cracker Crust

This easy homemade graham cracker crust the perfect base for so many delicious desserts! Skip the store bought crust and whip up this delicious three ingredient homemade pie crust!

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A graham cracker crust in a glass pie pan

I have always been a huge fan of pies and cheesecakes. Especially in the summer, I love a no-bake pie that is light and creamy with a flavorful crunchy graham cracker crust. For years I bought the store bought ones because honestly, I had not idea how easy it is to make homemade ones! What I love about this recipe is that it only takes three ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen right now! Graham crackers, butter, and sugar are all that is needed to whip up this tasty base for any pie or cheesecake, or other dessert!

This homemade graham cracker pie crust is a delicious base for key lime pie, banana pie, peanut butter pie, pretty much any homemade pies that call for a crumb crust! This easy recipe makes creating your own graham cracker crust as easy as… well… pie!

A graham cracker crust in a glass pie pan, next to it is a container of strawberries and a wooden spoon.

FAQ & Tips for Success

Do I need to bake this graham cracker crust?

This crust is versatile and can be used as a no-bake crust or you can bake it full of pie filling! Because graham crackers are already cooked there is no reason that you need to bake them. However if baking the crust creates a crunchier crust with richer flavor. You can choose to bake or not to bake depending on your pie and what sort of texture and flavor you’d like your crust to have. This recipe has directions for both so choose which works best for you!

Can I use this in a springform pan?

Yes! While I’ve made this recipe in a pie plate you can easily use this recipe in a springform pan too! It is great for cheesecakes or any other dessert that you prefer to make in a springform pan.

Can I use this in a 13×9 inch pan?

Absolutely! If you’re making a dessert that requires a graham cracker crust in a rectangular pan this makes a great crust. Since this recipe is written for a 9-inch pie pan you’ll want to to double it to make sure to have enough crust to cover the bottom of the pan for a larger dessert.

Adjust the amount of butter if baking-

If you’re making this a no bake graham cracker crust you’ll want to use a little bit of extra butter. Butter serves as a binding agent in this crust and so for the no bake version you’ll need 6 tablespoons of butter. If you’re baking it the sugar will crystalize to help the crust stick together so you only need 5 tablespoons.

A glass pie pan with a graham cracker crust on a white marble countertop.

Other Variations-

One of the beautiful things about this crust is that it is a basic crumb crust. While graham crackers are the most common you can use pretty much any cookie that is crunchy and can be made into fine crumbs!

Here are some suggestions to try!

Vanilla Wafers– These are as versatile as graham crackers and go with with pretty much any flavor pie! If you love banana pudding try vanilla wafers for your banana cream pies!

Chocolate Graham Crackers- A chocolate crust goes so well with peanut butter pie, or chocolate pudding pies! it is also tasty for cheesecake or with fruit like strawberries!

Chocolate Wafer Cookies– These are a little denser and have a stronger chocolate flavor than chocolate graham crackers.

Oreos- If you use Oreos or another chocolate sandwich cookie omit the sugar in this recipe the filling adds plenty of sweetness!

Ice Cream Cones– Making an ice cream pie? Sugar cone or waffle ice cream cones can make a tasty base!

Gingersnaps– For pies around the holidays gingersnaps add a delicious flavor!

Oatmeal Cookies– This is a favorite of ours for cheesecakes! Buy the cheap crunchy oatmeal cookies for a delicious crust!

Add spices– If you want to add a little something different to this recipe you can add some cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice! Adding about 1/2 a tsp of spice adds another dimension of flavor to the classic recipe! Just add your spices in with the crushed graham crackers to create a delicious crust!

The ingredients for graham cracker crust, graham crackers, sugar and butter.

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy pie crust-

1 ½ Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs – You’ll need about 10 full graham cracker sheets to make the right amount of crumbs.

5-6 Tbsp Salted Butter– I prefer to use salted butter but if you want to use unsalted you can, you’ll probably want to add a pinch of salt. You’ll be melting the butter so no need to have it softened.

¼ Cup Sugar– I like to use cane sugar, but granulated sugar works well too!

A glass pie pan with a graham cracker crust, next to it is a basket of strawberries.

Here’s how to make the perfect graham cracker crust-

Something to note before we get started. If you are making a no-bake crust, use 6 tablespoons of melted butter, if you are baking the crust use 5 tablespoons. The extra butter in the no-bake version helps the crust stick together better. See notes above for more details.

First you’ll need to finely crush graham crackers using a food processor, or by placing them in a large zip top baggie and crushing with a mallet or rolling pin.

a collage of four pictures showing how to make graham cracker crust. The first shows whole graham crackers in a food processor, in the second they have been turned to fine crumbs. In the third picture there is a mixing bowl with graham cracker crumbs next to it is a bowl with sugar and another with melted butter. In the last picture the sugar has been added to the graham cracker crumbs.

In a mixing bowl combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar and stir to mix well.

Next melt butter in a small microwave safe bowl or in a small pot over low/med heat.

Pour the melted butter over the graham cracker crumb mixture and stir. The mixture will be the texture of wet sand.

Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. It helps to use the flat bottom of a glass or bottom of a measuring cup to help press it evenly.

A collage of four pictures showing graham cracker crust being made. In the first there is a mixing bowl with graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and a spoon, in the next they have been mixed together to create a wet sand like mixture. In the third that mixture has been placed in a glass pie pan, and in the final pic the mixture is being pressed into the pan with a metal measuring cup.

Now it is time to chill or bake your crust before filling.

If you’ll be baking the pie filling chill the crust for about 30 minutes, fill and bake.

For a chilled crust- place it in the refrigerator for an hour or more

For a baked crust- place in a 375-degree oven for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling.

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Homemade Graham Cracker Crust

This easy homemade graham cracker crust the perfect base for so many delicious desserts! Skip the store bought crust and whip up this delicious three ingredient homemade pie crust!
5 from 50 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Desserts
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 474kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs about 10 full graham crackers
  • 5-6 Tbsp Salted Butter
  • ¼ Cup Sugar

Instructions

  • A note before starting- If you are making a no-bake crust, use 6 tablespoons of melted butter, if you are baking the crust use 5 tablespoons. The extra butter in the no-bake version helps the crust stick together better. See notes above for more details.
  • First you'll need to finely crush graham crackers using a food processor, or by placing them in a large zip top baggie and crushing with a mallet or rolling pin.
  • In a mixing bowl combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar and stir to mix well.
  • Next melt butter in a small microwave safe bowl or in a small pot over low/med heat.
  • Pour the melted butter over the graham cracker crumb mixture and stir. The mixture will be the texture of wet sand.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. It helps to use the flat bottom of a glass or bottom of a measuring cup to help press it evenly.
  • Now it is time to chill or bake your crust before filling.
  • If you'll be baking the pie filling chill the crust for about 30 minutes, fill and bake.
  • For a chilled crust- place it in the refrigerator for an hour or more
  • For a baked crust- place in a 375-degree oven for 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 415mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g

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