Irresistible No-Bake Frozen Lemonade Pie: Your Ultimate Summer Dessert
When the sun is blazing and the thought of turning on your oven is simply unbearable, a slice of a refreshingly cool dessert is exactly what you crave. This Frozen Lemonade Pie is the answer to your summer dreams. Almost entirely no-bake – especially if you opt for a store-bought crust, saving you even more time and effort – it’s the perfect treat for those sweltering days. The vibrant, tart flavor of lemonade is beautifully balanced by a sweet, buttery graham cracker crust and a wonderfully creamy ice cream base, creating a dessert that is both light and satisfying.
Life can be hectic, filled with unexpected twists, like a toddler suddenly deciding sleep is optional! In those moments, simple pleasures like a truly easy and delicious dessert become invaluable. This frozen lemonade pie is precisely that – a delightful escape into a world of tangy sweetness, even for the most sleep-deprived dessert lover. If you’re a true lemonade enthusiast, this pie will quickly become your new favorite. It’s so straightforward to prepare, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy the sunshine (or, in my case, catch up on some much-needed rest!).
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Why You’ll Love This Frozen Lemonade Pie
No-Bake Bliss
The beauty of this pie lies in its simplicity. With minimal cooking required, it’s the ultimate dessert for summer entertaining. You won’t need to heat your kitchen by turning on the oven for long, making it a truly refreshing choice from start to finish. If you opt for a pre-made crust, you can skip the baking altogether, transforming this into a completely no-bake wonder!
Perfectly Balanced Flavor
This dessert strikes an exquisite balance between tart and sweet. The zesty punch of lemon from the concentrate is mellowed by the creamy vanilla ice cream and the subtle sweetness of the graham cracker crust. Each bite delivers a burst of invigorating lemon, followed by a smooth, cool finish that will make your taste buds sing.
Creamy & Refreshing Texture
Imagine a dessert that’s like a spoonful of sunshine on a hot day. The texture of this frozen lemonade pie is incredibly smooth and creamy, thanks to the combination of softened ice cream and whipped topping. It melts delicately in your mouth, leaving a refreshing sensation that’s simply irresistible. It’s not just a pie; it’s an experience!
Effortlessly Customizable
While delicious as is, this recipe also offers plenty of room for personalization. Whether you prefer a classic graham cracker crust or want to experiment with other cookie crusts, or maybe add different toppings, this pie is your canvas. It’s a versatile dessert that can be adapted to suit any taste or occasion.
Essential Ingredients for Your Frozen Lemonade Pie
Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating this delightful frozen treat. Here’s what you’ll need for this simple yet spectacular pie:
- Frozen Lemonade Concentrate: The star of the show, providing that signature tangy lemon flavor. Make sure it’s thawed before mixing.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Forms the creamy base of your pie. Allow it to soften slightly for easier blending.
- Cool Whip (or Whipped Heavy Cream): Adds a light, airy texture and extra creaminess. A cup of freshly whipped heavy cream can be used for a homemade touch.
- Graham Crackers: The foundation for your sweet, crunchy crust. You’ll crush these into fine crumbs. Alternatively, use a pre-made graham cracker crust for ultimate convenience.
- Butter: Binds the graham cracker crumbs together, creating a rich and sturdy crust. Melted and cooled is key.
- Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the crust, complementing the tart filling.
- A Pinch of Salt: Enhances the flavors in your graham cracker crust.
- Candied Lemon Peels (Optional): A beautiful and flavorful garnish to elevate your pie.
Handy Tools You May Find Useful
While you don’t need a professional kitchen setup, having these tools on hand will make the preparation process even smoother:
- Pie Plate: A standard 9-inch pie plate works perfectly for this recipe. Glass or ceramic options are great.
- Food Processor: Ideal for quickly crushing graham crackers into fine, even crumbs. A zip-top bag and a rolling pin can also do the trick!
- Measuring Cups & Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing your baked crust to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Large Mixing Bowl & Spatula: For gently combining the pie filling ingredients.
Tips for the Best Frozen Lemonade Pie
Achieving pie perfection is easier than you think! Here are a few invaluable tips to ensure your frozen lemonade pie is a resounding success:
- Choose Quality Ice Cream: The foundation of your creamy filling relies heavily on good quality ice cream. I recommend using a brand like Breyer’s, or any other brand known for using simple, pronounceable ingredients. The better the ice cream, the richer and smoother your pie will be.
- Cool Whip vs. Whipped Cream: While Cool Whip (even the Lite version I used) offers convenience and stability, don’t hesitate to substitute it with 1 cup of freshly whipped heavy cream for an even richer, more gourmet flavor profile. Both options yield delicious results!
- Homemade or Store-Bought Crust: A homemade graham cracker crust is incredibly easy to make and takes just minutes, adding a wonderful depth of flavor and texture that truly elevates the pie. However, if you’re truly short on time or simply don’t want to turn on the oven, a good quality pre-made graham cracker crust is a perfectly acceptable shortcut. It still results in a delicious, refreshing dessert.
- Thaw Ingredients Properly: Ensure both your frozen lemonade concentrate and vanilla ice cream are thawed to the right consistency. The concentrate should be liquid, and the ice cream should be soft enough to stir easily but not completely melted. This allows for a smooth, even blend with the Cool Whip.
- Press the Crust Firmly: When making a homemade crust, ensure you press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the pie plate. Using the bottom of a measuring cup or a flat-bottomed glass can help achieve a compact and uniform base that won’t crumble when sliced.
- Allow Ample Freezing Time: Patience is key! While the pie will begin to set in an hour, for the best, most sliceable results, allow it to freeze for at least 3-4 hours, or ideally, overnight. This ensures the pie is firm enough to hold its shape beautifully when served.
- Garnish for Elegance: A simple garnish can turn a delicious pie into a showstopper. Candied lemon peels add a touch of sophistication and extra lemon flavor. Fresh mint leaves, a dollop of extra whipped cream, or a sprinkle of lemon zest are also fantastic choices.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
How to Serve Your Frozen Lemonade Pie
This pie is a dessert masterpiece on its own, but a few simple additions can elevate it even further:
- Fresh Berries: A handful of fresh raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries adds a beautiful pop of color and a complementary fruity note.
- Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of fresh whipped cream on each slice can enhance the creamy texture.
- Lemon Zest or Candied Peels: A sprinkle of fresh lemon zest or elegant candied lemon peels provides an extra citrusy aroma and a sophisticated finish.
- Mint Sprig: A fresh mint sprig adds a touch of green and a refreshing hint of flavor.
Creative Variations to Try
Feel free to experiment with this recipe to make it your own!
- Different Concentrates: Instead of lemonade, try a frozen limeade or even a raspberry lemonade concentrate for a different flavor profile.
- Cookie Crusts: While graham crackers are classic, consider using crushed vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or even gingersnaps for a unique crust.
- Spiked Version: For an adult-friendly treat, a splash of limoncello or vodka mixed into the filling can add an interesting kick.
- Layered Pie: Create layers by adding a thin layer of raspberry puree or lemon curd in the middle of your filling before freezing.
How to Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover pie (a rare occurrence!), you can easily store it. Simply cover the pie plate tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and return it to the freezer. It will keep well for up to 1-2 weeks. For individual slices, wrap each slice separately before freezing to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn. Allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to soften slightly for the best texture.
More Summer Treat Recipes You Will Love
If you’re looking for more ways to beat the summer heat with delightful desserts, check out these fantastic recipes:
This recipe for frosty orange dream squares is incredibly easy to make and absolutely perfect for cooling off when temperatures rise. It’s like a creamsicle in dessert form!
If you’re a true fan of all things lemon, you absolutely must try this lemonade cheesecake recipe. It’s wonderfully tangy, deliciously creamy, and a real crowd-pleaser!
For those who love a bit of spice with their sweet, this homemade Mexican chocolate ice cream is a must-try. It’s one of my all-time favorite ice cream recipes, known for its rich flavor and incredibly creamy texture!
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Frozen Lemonade Pie
Frozen Lemonade Pie is nearly no-bake (it can be if you take a shortcut with a store-bought crust!) and perfect for hot summer days. The tart lemonade flavor is balanced by the sweet graham cracker crust and creamy ice cream base.
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions and helpful tips within the blog post above. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course: Beverages, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 9
Author: Amanda Davis
Ingredients
- 5 oz frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
- 4 cups vanilla ice cream, thawed
- 1 cup Cool Whip, thawed (or 1 cup heavy cream, whipped)
- 8 graham crackers, cut into pieces (for homemade crust)
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted & cooled
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Candied lemon peels for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). (Skip this step if using a store-bought crust).
- Break up your graham crackers and place them into a food processor. Pulse until you have fine, consistent crumbs.
- Pour in the melted butter, sugar, and the pinch of salt. Pulse again until the mixture comes together and resembles wet sand.
- Pour the graham cracker mixture into a 9-inch pie plate. Press it firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the plate. Using the bottom of a measuring cup can help achieve a smooth, compact crust.
- Bake the crust for 13-15 minutes, or until it’s golden brown around the edges. Remove it from the oven and transfer it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the slightly softened vanilla ice cream, thawed lemonade concentrate, and thawed Cool Whip. Stir gently with a spatula until all the ingredients are just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can deflate the Cool Whip.
- Pour the creamy lemonade mixture into the cooled pie crust, filling it completely. You may have a small amount of extra mixture; this can be spooned along the edge for a decorative touch or enjoyed separately.
- Place the pie in the freezer to set for at least one hour, or until firm. For best results and easier slicing, freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, top with candied lemon peels, if desired, or any other preferred garnishes.
- Slice and serve your wonderfully refreshing Frozen Lemonade Pie!
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
