This easy Lemon Cream Cheese Pie has layers of no bake cheesecake, lemon pudding, and fresh berries. The subtle lemon flavor and juicy berries makes this a refreshing dessert on a hot summer day.
Jump to:
Why Lemon Pudding Pie Works
Over the years, I have learned to love lemon desserts. We make these lemon bars, this lemon poke cake, and these lemon meringue cupcakes quite often.
Lemon is such a classic summer flavor. There is nothing like a glass of frosted lemonade to cool you off from the summer heat. So why not enjoy that flavor in a creamy pie?
We had a few extra boxes of raspberries and blueberries in the fridge. So, I decided to use them as a red and blue topping on an easy lemon cream pie. It was an instant hit with everyone in our Bible study.
- Easy to make. The layers in this pie are easy to whip up. This means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the sun.
- Creamy and smooth. The combination of creamy cheesecake filling and smooth lemon pudding works so well together.
- Light and cool. Lemon desserts often have a tangy flavor that is so refreshing on a hot summer day.
- Perfect for any party. This lemon cream cheese pie pie will bring a light and summer vibe to all your picnics and parties. It's also a great dessert for 4th of July.
Ingredients Needed
All you need are a few ingredients to make the 4 layers in this lemon cream cheese pie recipe.
- Pie Crust - This used a traditional pie crust, but you could also use a graham cracker or Oreo cookie crust.
- Cheesecake Filling - A mixture of cream cheese and granulated sugar creates a creamy no bake cheesecake layer.
- Pudding - Whisk together milk and a box of instant lemon pudding mix.
- Topping - Cool Whip and fresh berries add a pretty look to the cream pie. Make sure to thaw the whipped cream ahead of time.
How to Make a Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
This lemon cream pie is incredibly easy to put together. Follow our simple steps, and you will have a pie chilling in your fridge in no time at all.
- Bake the pie crust. Place the refrigerated pie crust in a pie plate and crimp edges. Bake and cool according to the box directions.
- Make the cheesecake filling. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy. Fold in Cool Whip until light and fluffy. Spread in the cooled pie crust.
- Make lemon pudding. Whisk together the instant lemon pudding mix and milk in a mixing bowl. Refrigerate for 5 minutes, then spoon on top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with Cool Whip and berries. Spread the rest of the whipped cream on top of the pudding. Rows of raspberries and blueberries around the outside edge give this lemon cream pie a fun red, white, and blue look.
Storage Recommendations
Store the pie in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Make sure it is covered tightly, so it doesn't dry out or absorb smells from the fridge.
I don't recommend freezing this pie because pudding tends to thaw and be watery.
Tips and Tricks
- Make it a no bake pie. Use a graham cracker crust or an Oreo cookie crust. Lemon Oreos would be totally delicious with this lemon pie.
- Use room temperature cream cheese. Make sure to set the cream cheese out ahead of time. This will make it easier to make a creamy filling without lumps.
- Don't like Cool Whip? Swap it out for 3 cups of this homemade whipped topping instead.
- Stronger lemon flavor. Use lemon pie filling or lemon curd instead of instant pudding to increase the tartness of the pie.
- Chill the pie. Place the pie in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving, so you can cut nice clean slices.
- Check out this Cherry Cream Cheese Pie for another amazing flavor.
FAQs
Yes, you can make this lemon pie up to 24 hours ahead of time. Keep it tightly covered and in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.
I do not recommend freezing this pie because it has a pudding layer in it. Instant pudding does not thaw out very well after being frozen.
You can use any fruit that goes with lemon. Strawberries, cherries, and blackberries would all be good choices.
Other Lemon Desserts
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
Please leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a review in the comments section below.
Recipe
Lemon Cream Cheese Pie
This easy Lemon Cream Cheese Pie has layers of no bake cheesecake, lemon pudding, and fresh berries. A creamy lemon pie with fruit is so refreshing on hot summer days. It's the perfect dessert for 4th of July picnics too.
Ingredients
- 1 refrigerated pie crust
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed and divided
- 1 - 3.4 ounce instant lemon pudding mix
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- fresh raspberries and blueberries
Instructions
- Bake the pie crust according to the package directions for an unfilled pie. Let cool completely.
- Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar until creamy. Fold in 1 cup Cool Whip.
- Spoon into the cooled pie crust and smooth out.
- Whisk together the pudding mix and milk. Place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Spread gently over the cheesecake layer.
- Spoon the remaining Cool Whip over the top of the pie. Decorate the top with the fruit. Keep refrigerated.
Notes
*If you want a stronger lemon flavor that is tart, use lemon curd in place of the pudding in the pie.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 285Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 189mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published on May 2014. It was updated and republished on June 2023.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
Mmmm. Perfect dessert for the summer. Not heating up the oven on a warm day makes it oh so much better. Looks lucious indeed!
marcie
I always want pie on days like today especially, and this is a perfect dessert for Memorial Day!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Marcie! 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake
That pie sounds so good! And it's gorgeous 🙂 Pinned!
Judit & Corina @ Wine Dine daily
We love this pie! It looks just perfect for this weekend 🙂
Cheers,
J+C
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank Judit and Corina!! 🙂
Mary Frances
I know right? As soon as I get in the kitchen, bam, all sugar calls my name. And I answer .... 🙂
I love this pie! Lemon is perfect for summer and the layers and fruit make this pretty as well as delicious! Pinned!
Sue
i'm using the Lemon Curd. Just use enough milk to make it spreadable?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I wouldn't use any milk in the lemon curd...just spread it on and enjoy!
Kayla
This looks delicious! I love all the combinations of fruits 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Kayla!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
This pie looks ridiculously good!! I love the berries, and of course LEMON.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
What a perfect dessert for the holiday weekend! And I love that the cheesecake is no bake too. So easy to whip up. Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Gayle! 🙂
dina
it looks delicious!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen
I love a creamy layered dessert too Jocelyn! And I agree: Bring on the Cool Whip!! This pie turned out absolutely gorgeous!! perfect for the summer!! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Renee!
Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic
YUM!!! I love all the pretty layers, especially the lemon! I’d love for you to share this at my Saturday Dishes Link Party this weekend! It’s a themed link up & this week’s theme is Memorial Day & Grilling! This would be an awesome dessert! Feel free to share other old or new posts that fit the theme as well if you have them! (:
http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/2014/05/saturday-dishes-memorial-day-grilling.html
Mir
I think your profession pretty much ensures that you will always want sugar. Embrace it! And the pie. It's totally normal to suddenly crave pie as soon as Memorial Day hits. And Thanksgiving. Be a good American! 😉
This pie is gorgeous with all the layers. Perfect for a summer picnic!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Mir! 😉
lou
a neighbor just shared a pie that they bought at costco and it was similar to your pie except it had a meringue topping. it was the lightest meringue i've ever made or tasted. the whole thing was yummy. i saw this and went oh my such a great idea with whip cream for a no bake summer dessert. thanks for the timely recipe!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
Oh my goodness, I'm exactly like Doug from UP too! I literally said, "Squirrel!" to my mom on the phone last week when I got distracted, and she got the reference and laughed really hard too. Our second dog was the most easily distracted by squirrels; he'd zero in on them like a laser! But anyway, back to your post... I finally realized I'll never be able to truly eat clean with the amount of desserts I want to bake, so I celebrate if I can have at least one or two clean meals out of the day. I figure that's a fair compromise, especially if any of your gorgeous pie was laying around! 🙂 And you've seen how many photos I usually include in my posts... I'm way too indecisive and can never narrow them down, so you have absolutely nothing to apologize about! The more pretty pictures, the more people will want to make your pie!!
Kelly
This pie looks gorgeous with all the layers! Love that it's no bake too 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Kelly!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I LOVE all these layers!! Especially the lemon. Give up sugar? You're crazy. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know 😉 Thanks Dorothy!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
This pie is the perfect holiday pie!!! It is fantastic and so beautiful!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
What a yummy looking pie!!! I agree, so many good photos!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Julianne! 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks
Oh such fluffy goodness right here! Makes me want to dive right into all those gorg layers! pinned
Shaina
I feel your pain. I keep saying I'm going to eat clean, do a juice cleanse, or cut out wine for a few days (uh who am I kidding?!) and then someone goes and shoves cookies or this amazing looking pie in my face and I crave it all over again. Thanks Jocelyn!!!! Geez! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, you're very welcome!! 😉