This creamy lemon pie only needs three ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, and eggs. It’s rich, creamy and so easy to make!
How to Make an Easy Lemon Pie
- Make the filling. Combine full-fat sweetened condensed milk with fresh lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. Add the eggs and whisk. Adding the eggs last ensures the filling is smooth and lump-free.
- Use a 9-inch pie crust. A graham-cracker crust tastes great with this filling. It adds a nice crunch to break up the rich, creamy filling. Use either use a store-bought crust or make your own. Don’t like graham cracker crusts? No problem! Use a prebaked 9-inch pie crust.
- Bake until set. This pie takes about 20 minutes to bake. Look for it to be set. If it jiggles slightly, it’s done. If it’s very loose, bake for a few additional minutes.
- Serve with whipped cream. A dollop of homemade whipped cream is a nice finish for a slice.
FAQs
This pie has more than three ingredients!
I understand where you’re coming from. I don’t count the crust as an ingredient. (Perhaps I should!) And since the lemon zest and lemon juice come from a lemon, I consider them one ingredient. Although they are prepared differently.
So..this is either a three-ingredient lemon pie. A four-ingredient lemon pie. OR a multi-ingredient lemon pie. However you count it, the pie is easy and delicious.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Since some brands of bottled lemon juice are very bitter, I’d worry about the final flavor. However, I haven’t tested the recipe with bottled lemon juice. So I can’t say for sure.
Can I use lime juice?
Yes! This recipe is based on my favorite key lime pie recipe. Lime juice works great.
I have a similar recipe and don’t bake it. Do I have to bake this pie?
This lemon pie contains whole eggs and should be baked.
Can I use fat-free condensed milk?
The filling turns out much softer with fat-free condensed milk. I recommended using full-fat condensed milk.
Creamy Lemon Pie
3-Ingredient Lemon Pie takes only minutes to prepare. The filling is rich and creamy with a lovely lemon flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cans full-fat sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces each)
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 medium lemons)
- 2 large eggs
- zest of one lemon, optional
- 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust, store bought or homemade, recipe below
For Serving
- homemade whipped cream
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 ½ cups cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
For the Lemon Pie
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Add eggs and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth.
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Place pie pan on a baking sheet. This makes it easy to carry the pie to the oven. Fill pie crust. Smooth pie top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake until filling is set, about 20 minutes.
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Cool pie and then chill for two hours in the refrigerator. Serve with whipped cream. Store pie in the refrigerator for up to three days.
For the Graham Crust
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together graham cracker crumbs with granulated sugar. Add melted butter. Stir with a fork to combine.
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Press mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan.
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Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
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Remove crust from the oven and leave oven on. Allow crust to cool for 10 minutes. Prepare filling as directed and spread into cooled crust.
Recipe Notes
- Fresh lemon zest adds additional flavor to the filling. If using, remember to zest one lemon before juicing.
- This makes a very full pie. Depending on the brand of graham cracker crust you use, you might have a few spoonfuls of filling left over.
Sandra says
Delicious and easy!!! Thank you!
Angela Blattner says
Second time make this recipe, such a lovely & easy lemon pie!
addie says
baking this for the 2nd time today. I’m trying it with a shortbread crust to mix it up a little. I loved the original recipe so much! Easy, fast and delicious!!
Nancy says
I never comment on recipe posts but his recipe was super easy and delicious. After chilling in the fridge it set beautifully and everyone loved the flavor !