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Desserts

Lemon Icebox Pie

This is no ordinary lemon icebox pie recipe—it’s a bold, irresistibly rich take on a classic that’s a longtime favorite from my restaurant menu.
lemon icebox pie recipe

This lemon icebox pie recipe is a showstopper. Made with eight egg yolks, the tart, silky lemon custard is luxuriously creamy and packed with bright flavor. Once a beloved dessert on my restaurant menu, this lemon icebox pie recipe has earned a permanent spot in my personal collection—because once you taste it, there’s no going back.

Lemon Icebox Pie

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What'll You Need

Graham Cracker Pie Crust:

  • 1½ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

 

Lemon Icebox Pie Filling:

  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (approximately 8 large lemons)
  • (2) 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
  • 8 large egg yolks
  • 3-4 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • dash of salt

Directions

Graham Cracker Pie Crust:

1. In a large bowl, add the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine.

2. Add the melted butter, stirring well until combined, with a crumbly texture.

3. Pour the crumb mixture into a deep dish 9 inch pie pan, dispersing the crumbs out evenly, and pressing them into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Set pan aside.

Lemon Icebox Pie Filling:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the lemon juice into the sweetened condensed milk. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, with a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the egg yolks, salt, and lemon zest on high, until doubled in volume and fluffy, approximately 6-8 minutes. Yes, it’s a bit of time here, but it will be worth it.

4. Add the sweetened condensed mixture into the egg mixture, whisking well to combine.

5. Pour the filling into one deep dish or two regular graham cracker crust shells.

6. Bake the pie:

  • One deep dish pie: Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly.
  • Two regular pies: Bake for 25 minutes, or until the center jiggles slightly.

7. Remove the pie(s) from the oven, and place on a cooling rack until cooled. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

8. To serve, top with whipped cream, lemon slices, and mint—enjoy!

lemon icebox pie recipe

For finely grated lemon zest, I highly recommend this Microplane zester. It’s a high quality kitchen tool, superior to other zesters, and less than $20! (Discover more of my favorite kitchen gadgets under $30 here.)

Serve this lemon icebox pie recipe extra cold for the full “icebox” effect—it makes the creaminess feel even more indulgent.

You can make it a day or two ahead, which not only saves time but actually improves the flavor as everything sets and melds. It holds beautifully in the fridge and slices cleanly, making it perfect for dinner parties, potlucks, or Sunday suppers. It’s a nod to tradition with a luxurious twist—bright, creamy, and unapologetically bold.

If you’re a lemon lover, consider this lemon icebox pie recipe your new gold standard.

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