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Slice of creamy lemon jell-o pie on a plate.
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Creamy Lemon Jell-O Pie

This easy no-bake pie is light and creamy with a bright lemon flavor! It's a make ahead dessert that's perfect for any summer gathering.
Prep Time40 minutes
Chill TIme4 hours
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Pie
Keyword: lemon, Pie

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1.5 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs about 11 full sheets
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar
  • 6 tablespoons Salted Butter melted

Pie Filling

  • 1 package Lemon Jell-O 3 oz
  • 1/2 cup Boiling Water
  • 1/2 cup Ice + Cold Water
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 8 oz Cool Whip thawed

Instructions

  • Remove the cream cheese from the fridge.
  • Lightly grease a 9.5 inch pie plate. Finely crush the graham crackers into crumbs. Stir in 2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter until well combined.
  • Pour crust mixture into pie plate and press down firmly across the bottom of the pie plate and up the sides. Place pie crust in the freezer while making the filling.
  • In a medium bowl, combine Jell-O and boiling water and whisk well to combine. Fill a half cup measuring cup with ice, then add cold water until level. Mix ice and water into the Jell-O. Place in the fridge while you mix the cream cheese.
  • Place cream cheese in a large bowl and beat together with 1/4 cup granulated sugar until very creamy and smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest and again beat until very creamy and smooth.
  • Remove Jell-O from fridge, it should be cool at this point but not thickened. Add a small amount to the cream cheese mixture and mix well. Continue to add the Jell-O gradually until everything is well combined. Then add the Cool Whip and mix on low or whisk until well combined.
  • Remove the crust from the freezer and pour the filling in it (it may not quite all fit). Smooth the top and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving. Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

Be sure to press the crust down firmly; that will help it stay together when you slice pieces.
The amount of zest and lemon juice called for in the recipe (one teaspoon lemon zest and one tablespoon lemon juice) give the pie a lovely light lemon flavor. If you want a strong lemon flavor, feel free to add more of both ingredients!