Description
These No-Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie Cups are a delightful, creamy dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, tangy lemon-infused cream cheese filling, and topped with fresh berries and nuts. Perfectly chilled, they offer a refreshing and elegant treat without the need for any baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
Toppings
- Fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries)
- Mint leaves
- Lemon slices or additional lemon zest
- Chopped pistachios or toasted almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter in a bowl. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand, ensuring the butter is evenly distributed. Firmly press this mixture into the bases of individual cups or small jars to form an even, buttery crust layer.
- Make the Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest while continuing to mix, creating a tangy and smooth filling. Gently fold in the whipped cream or Cool Whip to lighten the mixture without deflating it.
- Assemble the Pie Cups: Spoon or pipe the lemon cream cheese filling evenly over the prepared crust in each cup. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the tops for a polished look.
- Chill and Set: Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and the filling to firm up to the ideal consistency for serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish each pie cup with fresh berries, mint leaves, lemon slices or additional lemon zest, and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios or toasted almonds. Serve chilled for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Do not overmix the whipped cream into the filling to maintain a light texture.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor impact.
- The pie cups can be prepared a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Substitute the nuts with your preferred toppings or omit for nut-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
