Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

Graham cracker crust in a metal pie dish.

5 from 1 vote

Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

Discover the foolproof formula for crafting the perfect Graham Cracker Crust, guaranteed to elevate your pies, dessert bars, and cheesecakes to gourmet perfection.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: Pie Crust

Calories: 1270.27kcal

Author: Aimee Mars

Equipment

Food Processor
Pie Dish

Ingredients

1½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs or 12 full cracker sheets
1/4 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Butter melted

Instructions

Grind the graham crackers. You have two options for this step: utilize a food processor or a blender. If you don't have access to either, simply put the crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. The objective is to achieve finely ground crumbs.
Combine the crumbs and sugar. In a large mixing bowl stir the crushed crumbs together with the sugar.
Mix in the butter. Pour the butter into the mixture and mix it with the crumbs and sugar. The mixture will have a thick, sandy, and coarse texture. Be sure to break down any larger chunks if present.
Initially, the mixture will feel crumbly. Press the crumb mixture into the pie dish by hand, applying medium-firm pressure to ensure it sticks together without loose crumbs. Smooth the surface with a small flat-bottomed measuring cup (or spoon), but avoid packing it too tightly. The goal is to form a compact yet not overly dense crust. For pie-making, maintain a slightly rounded shape where the sides meet the bottom, preventing a sharp right angle for better slicing results.
Shape the edge. I prefer using my thumb on one hand and the back of a spoon in the other to work around the top and sides.
Bake. Heat the oven to 350º F and bake for 10 minutes or until the crust becomes golden brown. Let it cool before adding your pie ingredients.

Notes

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the assembled crust in your pan for up to 3 months. Prior to using it in your recipe, make sure to thaw it. For more immediate use, refrigerate the prepared crust for up to 3 days before incorporating it into your recipe.
Graham Cracker Crust without Butter: To prepare a graham cracker crust without butter you will need 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup Maple Syrup, and 1/3 cup of oil. Combine the mixture and follow the directions for pressing the crust into place.
Other crumb options: You can also create this crumb crust using shortbread cookies like in this Eggnog Pie, vanilla wafers, Ritz crackers, or Oreo cookies in place of graham crackers.

Nutrition