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Only 3 ingredients is all you need for your own perfect graham cracker crust. Learn how to make graham cracker crust in this baking tutorial. Never buy one from the store again!
Most of the time I’m all for a flaky butter crust. Which don’t get me wrong, nothing wrong with a perfectly flaky butter crust. Some pies, need a graham cracker crust!
Now graham cracker crusts can be a store bought crust. But please, I beg of you give this a try.
This homemade graham cracker crust recipe is 1000x times better and with 3 simple ingredients, it’s so easy to throw together.
What You Will Need To Make The Graham Cracker Crust Recipe:
To make a killer graham cracker crust, all you need is butter, sugar, and of course graham crackers. You can use storebought, or tackle a fun baking project and make this Homemade Graham Crackers Recipe!
Pro Tip: Use quality butter.
Quality doesn’t have to mean expensive! I swear by Cabot butter- it’s quality butter and still only a few cents more than the generic butter in the store.
It will have more flavor, and I also totally love they are an American (Vermont based) co-op of farm families. (in case you are wondering, now I am not getting paid to say all that, I just truly stand by their product!)
How To Make Graham Cracker Crust – Step By Step
Step One: Make your crumbs.
First you need to start with turning your graham crackers into crumbs. This can be achieved a few different ways. You can use your food processor, place them in a zip-loc bag and smash with a rolling pin or meat tenderizer- just be sure to close the bag!!
I’ve done both ways. Food processor is quick and they get evenly crushed. The zip-loc bag method is of course a great way to get your aggression out!
After your graham crackers are good and crushed, you want to combine the crumb mixture with your sugar, melted butter and stir. You could always try switching this up with, browned butter (hello deliciousness!) and try even some brown sugar instead. Simply mix those together and then it’s time to press into your pan!
To press the crumb mixture down into your pie pan, use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs down and up the sides. You could use your fingers, but I find the bottom of the measuring cup gets a nice evenly flat surface.
And that’s it! It’s so easy, and so crazy good. It’s going to take your pies to the next level.
Now what did I make with this graham cracker crust? Oh man…for that you are going to have to wait until tomorrow for official Pi Day! But I promise you it’s going to be good!
When To Use A Graham Cracker Crust?
I love using a graham cracker crust for any no bake pies, but they are great for a bar recipe like these classic key lime pie bar. Graham cracker crust pies I find are generally easier to make!
And of course no cheesecake would be complete, like this key lime cheesecake.
What Kind Of Graham Crackers Can You Use?
Any kind! Honestly. Use what’s one on sale. Try cinnamon, chocolate, even GLUTEN FREE if you need to!
If you wanted to mix up this recipe and make it an chocolate cookie crust, simply leave out the sugar. But really sky’s the limit here, folks.
For this tutorial, I simply used generic graham crackers I had in my cupboard.
Do I Need To Bake This Crust?
Well yes..and then again no. Let me explain.
For A No Bake Pie:
If this is a no bake pie you are making then you do not need to bake it. Just simply pop it in your refrigerator for 2 hours to set up.
For A Baked Pie:
If it’s pie with a filling that will be baked, then yes you do need to bake it.
You simply to par-bake it, which means baking it for about 10 minutes in a pre-heated 350ºF degree oven. You want the crust to be golden brown, which is about 10 minutes for me. Just make sure nothing else in your oven, like a pizza stone, that could affect the baking time.
Do You Grease Pan For A Graham Cracker Crust?
This crust can sometimes have a tendency to stick to the pie plate, even with all that butter! So just for a little extra added insurance, give your pan a quick spray of a non-stick cooking spray and you should be all set.
If you are making a cheesecake, line the bottom of your springform pan with a parchment paper round and you should be all set!
Can I make this crust ahead?
Absolutely! You can make this crust and then freeze it up for up to 3 months.
I simply cover the crust with saran wrap making sure the saran wrap lies flat in the pie plate so there is no air. I like to double wrap mine, and then pop in a plastic bag so it’s triple secure! Then when I go to use it, simply take it out to thaw before filling the crust.
What size pan works best for this recipe?
This recipe is meant for a 9-inch pie plate or 9-inch springform pan. If you want to try using this crust for a bar recipe in a 9×13 pan, your crust might end up a bit on the thin side, so I would try making this recipe 1.5 times (or a batch and half) and that should work out perfectly.
I want a crunchy graham cracker crust how do I achieve that?
A couple of ways to achieve that, you could try par-baking it as earlier mentioned (maybe even leaving it a few minutes, longer, but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn).
Try using a metal pan as opposed to a glass. And then when you go to cool it, place it on a cooling rack so air can get all around the sides.
And don’t refrigerate it otherwise the crust may get soggy on you. The crust on its own should be fine at room temperature for up to 3 days. Just remember, humidity can change the texture of your crust.
So if the crust seems soft, try one of these tricks, and definitely try baking it for a few minutes to help firm it up.
Why Does My Graham Cracker Crust Get Soggy?
A soggy bottom is just no fun am I right? Here are 3 things to remember when making your graham cracker crust recipe so it doesn’t get soggy:
- Do not substitute butter and use low fat spreads which can add water.
- Bake your crust so it gets crisp
- Let it cool before adding your filling so moisture doesn’t form between the filling and crust.
More Pie Crust Recipes
Be Sure To Check Out These Other Baking Basics Posts!
3 Ways To Soften Your Butter Quickly
How To Make Your Own Cake Flour
The Muffin Method and 6 tips for making muffins
Happy Baking Everyone!
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Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Ingredients
- 9 full graham crackers (1 1/4 cups) (or digestive biscuits)
- 6 Tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter melted
- 1/4 cup (52 grams) granulated white sugar
Instructions
- In a food processor, add your graham crackers and pulse until they become fine crumbs. You can also do this by placing them in a large plastic bag, seal it shut, and then use a rolling pin (or meat cleaver) to smash them into crumbs!
- Place the crumbs into a mixing bowl, and add the melted butter and sugar. Use a spatula to stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate (that has been lightly greased with a non-stick cooking spray. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs down and up the sides. If you are making this for a pie that will be baked, then par-bake this crust in a 350F oven for 8 minutes. If you are making a no bake pie then chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can make this crust 3 days ahead of time, just simply wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.
- Freezing: You can also freeze this crust for up to 3 months, just simply thaw before using.
Nutrition
fred says
Please remember that all graham crackers have shrunk in size , therefore you may need more crackers than recommeded. Recipes should be printed by weight for this type of ingredient.
Heather | Boston Girl Bakes says
Thanks Fred that’s a good tip! I’ll be sure to include the weight in the recipe.
Barbara says
Homemade crust really is so simple. 🙂 And I’m dreaming about Summer too.
Heather says
Thank you Barbara 🙂
Melissa says
Who knew it was so easy to make a Graham Cracker crust!? I love them so I will definitely give this a try. I love the idea of making them and freezing them to use in the summer!
Madison Weaver says
I love making graham cracker crusts! This looks like a great recipe!
Heather says
Super easy and delicious 🙂