There’s something lovely about the basics. A graham cracker crust is one of those humble little recipes that just works—no fuss, no fancy tools, just a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. It’s the kind of recipe I come back to again and again because it makes dessert feel doable, even on a busy homeschool day or when supper has already taken all my kitchen energy.
Whether you’re whipping up a Sunday treat, prepping ahead for guests, or need a no-fail dessert base that the kids will happily gobble up, this one delivers every time.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Pantry-only – No last-minute store runs required.
- Quick and easy – Mix, press, and bake (or chill!). Done in minutes.
- Versatile – Works with baked pies, no-bake fillings, cheesecakes, and more.
- Kid-approved – Sweet, buttery, and the perfect base for just about anything.

Ingredients & Instructions
Ingredients
- crushed graham crackers
- sugar
- butter
Instructions
- Crush the graham crackers finely. I use my ninja but a rolling pin and a baggie also work great.
- In a medium bowl, mix the crumbs with sugar.
- Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press into a pie plate or springform pan. Use the back of a measuring cup to get it nice and even.
- Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes for a baked crust. Let it cool completely.
OR Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for no-bake recipes.
Serving Suggestions
This crust is a staple for:
- No-bake cheesecakes
- Chocolate pudding pies
- Key lime or lemon pie
- Ice cream pies
- Peanut butter pie
- S’mores-inspired desserts
- Even layered parfaits in mason jars
You can also swap in cinnamon graham crackers, chocolate grahams, or gluten-free versions to suit your family’s needs!
A Homemaker’s Note
Keep a mason jar of pre-crushed graham cracker crumbs on your pantry shelf or in the freezer. It’s one less step when dessert inspiration strikes—and a good way to use up broken crackers at the bottom of the box.
From one busy kitchen to another, I hope this crust recipe finds a happy home in your rotation. Simple things are often the best—and this one has stood the test of time in our home.
Graham Cracker Crust

Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham crumbs
- 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender
- press into 9-inch pie tin
- bake 10 minutes
- allow to cool completely before adding filling
Notes
this cust can also be NO BAKE. Just allow it to chill 30 minutes before filling.

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