The Creamiest Lemon Butter Pie Recipe for Tangy Summer Treats

Tangy lemon butter pie reinvents ordinary desserts into extraordinary culinary adventures.

Sweet and zesty flavors dance across your palate with delightful complexity.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious balance between richness and brightness.

Silky smooth filling nestles inside a perfectly crisp, golden crust that crackles with each delicate forkful.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this dessert promises to elevate any gathering with its vibrant personality.

Seasonal ingredients come together in a symphony of taste that surprises and delights.

Home bakers will find joy in crafting this elegant treat that looks impressive but comes together with surprising ease.

Bright Flavors Meet Buttery Layers in Lemon Butter Pie

• Effortlessly Create Luxurious Dessert: This lemon butter pie transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience without requiring professional baking skills.
• Burst of Tangy Texture Sensation: The creamy filling delivers an incredible balance between zesty lemon brightness and rich, smooth butteriness that melts perfectly on your tongue.
• Master Quick Culinary Technique: By using a food processor and simple heating method, home cooks can easily create a professional-grade dessert in under an hour of active preparation time, making it ideal for impromptu gatherings or weekend treats.

Pantry Staples Behind Lemon Butter Pie Bliss

• Graham Cracker Crumbs, Butter: Classic base with rich, sweet foundation that provides a delightful crumbly texture and holds the pie together nicely.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy citrus that gives the pie its signature sharp flavor and helps create a smooth, silky texture.
• Eggs, Egg Yolk: Essential for creating a thick, creamy custard-like filling with rich, velvety consistency.
• Sugar: Balances the lemon's tartness and helps create a smooth, sweet filling.

• Butter: Adds luxurious richness and silky smoothness to the lemon filling, creating a decadent mouthfeel.
• Salt: Subtle seasoning that enhances the overall flavor profile of the pie.

Easy Steps for Lemon Butter Pie that Pops

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Pie Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch pie dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Graham Cracker Crust

Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter. Use fingers to mix ingredients evenly. Press mixture into pie dish, allowing rustic edges for character.

Step 3: Bake Crust

Bake crust for 8 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 4: Craft Lemon Filling Base

• Lemon juice
• Eggs
• Egg yolk
• Sugar

Whisk ingredients until well blended.

Step 5: Cook Lemon Mixture

Heat mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook until temperature reaches 180°F. Use silicone whisk to prevent scorching.

Step 6: Strain Lemon Curd

Pour mixture through fine-mesh strainer to remove egg lumps. Cool to 140°F.

Step 7: Blend With Butter

Transfer mixture to food processor. Add butter pieces gradually, allowing each to incorporate fully.

Step 8: Fill And Chill Pie

Pour lemon filling into prepared crust. Spread evenly. Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Remove pie from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving. Slice and savor the creamy, tangy dessert. Optional: Garnish with fresh lemon zest or whipped cream.

Pro-Level Lemon Butter Pie Tips for Home Bakers

• Master Egg Curd Technique: Watch the heat carefully when making lemon curd to prevent scrambling eggs; medium heat is your safest bet for smooth, silky results.
• Strain for Silkiness: Always push the cooked lemon curd through a fine-mesh strainer to eliminate any potential egg bits, ensuring a luxuriously smooth texture.
• Butter Incorporation Trick: Add butter pieces gradually to the food processor, allowing each chunk to fully blend before adding the next for a perfectly creamy filling.
• Crust Pressing Pro Tip: Use your fingers to press graham cracker crumbs evenly, creating a rustic, textured base that adds delightful crunch to your pie.
• Chilling Wisdom: Refrigerate the pie for several hours or freeze for a firmer consistency; let it sit briefly at room temperature before serving for the best slice and texture.

Refrigerating and Serving Lemon Butter Pie Made Easy

• Refrigeration: Store the lemon butter pie in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap. Keep chilled for up to 4 days to maintain its creamy texture and fresh flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap the pie securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Place a date label to track storage time.
• Reheating: Allow frozen pie to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Best enjoyed cold for maximum flavor and smooth consistency.

Fun Twists for Your Next Lemon Butter Pie

• Tropical Zinger: Swap lemon juice with a blend of passion fruit and lime juice for an exotic, tangy flavor profile that screams tropical vacation.
• Berry Blaze: Replace half the lemon juice with fresh raspberry or strawberry puree, creating a vibrant fruity version with a gorgeous pink hue.
• Lavender Lush: Infuse the filling with dried culinary lavender during cooking, adding a subtle floral note that complements the buttery lemon base.
• Coconut Cream Dream: Incorporate coconut cream into the filling and use toasted coconut flakes for the crust, transforming the pie into a rich, creamy island-inspired dessert.

Refreshing Matches for Lemon Butter Pie on the Plate

• Zesty Beverage Companion: Pair this tangy lemon butter pie with a crisp, chilled limoncello or a refreshing prosecco to complement its bright citrus notes and creamy texture.
• Creamy Contrast Delight: Serve alongside a light, unsweetened whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the pie's intense lemony flavor and provide a smooth, cool counterpoint.
• Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted almond slivers or crushed pistachios on top to add a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that enhances the pie's rich, buttery base.
• Herbal Garnish Twist: Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a subtle lavender sprig to introduce a delicate aromatic element that complements the pie's bright, zesty profile.

Lemon Butter Pie Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Silky lemon butter pie delivers a tangy, creamy dessert that dances between sweet and zesty. Buttery graham cracker crust cradles smooth citrus filling, inviting eaters to savor each refreshing, luxurious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1 tablespoon-sized pieces
• 3 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¾ cup granulated sugar

Liquid Ingredient:

• ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

Flavor Enhancers:

(none in this recipe)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9-inch pie dish with a light butter coating.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, using fingertips to create an even mixture. Press the crumb blend into the pie dish, embracing the rustic, uneven texture.
3. Bake the crust for 8 minutes, then allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
4. In a heavy saucepan, whisk together lemon juice, whole eggs, egg yolk, and sugar until thoroughly integrated.
5. Cook the mixture over medium heat, continuously stirring with a silicone whisk. Maintain constant movement to prevent egg scrambling and ensure smooth consistency.
6. Continue heating until the mixture thickens and reaches 180°F, carefully scraping the pan’s edges to incorporate all ingredients.
7. Strain the lemon curd through a fine-mesh sieve to eliminate any potential egg clusters, then cool to approximately 140°F.
8. Transfer the curd to a food processor and gradually introduce butter pieces, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next.
9. Gently pour the velvety lemon filling into the prepared crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
10. Refrigerate the pie for a minimum of 4 hours, or alternatively, freeze for a firmer texture.
11. When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator or freezer. If frozen, let stand for 10 minutes to slightly soften before slicing and enjoying.

Notes

• Precision matters when heating the lemon curd, so use a reliable instant-read thermometer to ensure perfect consistency and prevent scrambling eggs.
• Graham cracker crust provides a delightful, crumbly base that complements the silky smooth lemon filling, creating a textural contrast in every bite.
• Straining the lemon curd removes any potential egg bits, guaranteeing a super-smooth, luxurious filling that looks as good as it tastes.
• Cool the filling gradually to prevent butter from separating, which helps maintain the creamy, velvety texture of the pie.
• Chilling transforms this dessert into a refreshing treat perfect for warm days, with options to serve cold or slightly frozen for different texture experiences.
• Butter incorporation technique is crucial – add pieces slowly and let each one blend completely for an ultra-rich, emulsified filling that’s pure culinary magic.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg