3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (2024)

April 28, 2024

by Kirbie

Jump to Recipe

An easy lemon pie featuring a silky and creamy no bake lemon custard filling. This pie needs just 3 ingredients and is an easy dessert that can be customized for any upcoming celebrations.
3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (1)

These flower shaped pies are so cute and perfect for Mother’s Day and other celebrations. What I love about this easy pie recipe is that you can customize the crust to be other shapes and sizes. You can make individual pies or make one whole pie as well.

Ingredients

  • Pie crust dough
  • Lemon juice
  • Condensed milk

Pie crust: To make this recipe easier, I used pre-made store bought pie crust dough. You want to use the kind that is refrigerated and rolled up. You can make your own crust if you want as well. You will need two pie crusts. Most of the time they are sold in packs of two.

Lemon juice: I used fresh squeezed lemon juice to make the lemon filling.

Condensed milk: Sweetened condensed milk is used to make the lemon pie filling. When it is combined with the lemon juice, it thickens into a custard- like filling. Unfortunately the recipe does not work with coconut condensed milk.

How to Make Lemon Pies

  • Use a 3.75 inch flower cookie cutter to cut flower shapes into the pie crust. I was able to get 7 per pie crust for a total of 14 pies.3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (2)
  • Place the flower pie crusts into a muffin pan. Prick a few holes at the bottom using a fork. Bake the pie crust until golden brown and cooked.3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (3)
  • To make the lemon pie filling, simply combine the lemon juice and condensed milk. Use a cookie scoop to scoop the filling into the pie crust. If desired, dust the crust with powdered sugar.
  • Then place the pies into the fridge to set. It takes a few hours for the filling to thicken and set, but overnight is best.

Pie Texture and Variation

This pie filling is the same filling I use for my No Bake Lemon Pie. It’s such an easy filling. When the condensed milk and lemon juice are combined and placed into the fridge, it really does thicken up to a custard-like filling. The filling is very sweet though. If you prefer your pie filling to be less sweet, you can also do a three-ingredient no bake filling by adding cream cheese to the filling. The end result will taste similar to a cheesecake.
3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (4)
The two ingredient filling is very creamy and sweet. It may seem like it isn’t thick enough to hold its shape, but it does.

The three ingredient filling is a little more tart from the cream cheese and tastes like cheesecake. The filling is also thick enough to hold its shape when you bite or cut in.
3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (5)

More Easy Pies

  • 3 Ingredient No Bake Key Lime Pie
  • 4 Ingredient No Bake Blueberry Pie
  • 3 Ingredient Chocolate Silk Pie

3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (6)

3 Ingredient Lemon Pie

Servings: 14 pies

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

These adorable flower lemon pies are the perfect treat to bring to a party or a spring gathering. Cut store-bought pie dough into flower shapes and bake in a muffin tray. Then fill with this delicious and creamy no-bake lemon pie filling. Pop them in the fridge to set up and enjoy with your loved ones!

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Ingredients

  • 2 (9-inch) refrigerated premade pie crusts
  • 1 (14 oz) can full fat sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup (118 ml) lemon juice

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C).

  • Let pie crusts soften to room temperature. Roll out both pie crusts on a pastry board or large cutting board. Use the flower cookie cutter to cut 14 flower shapes out of the dough (7 from each pie crust).

  • Gently place cut dough into a standard muffin tray, pressing down to make sure it fits snuggly. Use a fork to pierce the bottom of the crust 3 times. See photo in post for reference.

  • Bake pie crusts in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown and fully cooked. Set aside to cool.

  • Add lemon juice and condensed milk to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until lemon juice is fully incorporated.

  • Use a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop to scoop the filing and release it directly into each of the cooled mini pie crusts. Use a spatula or spoon to smooth and even out the surface if needed. If desired, dust the surface with powdered sugar.

  • Place pies in the fridge for several hours to set. I like to refrigerate overnight. Keep pies in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

  • You can find premade pie crusts (the kind that is a premade dough that you unroll and bake) at most grocery stores. I tested this with Pillsbury and Amazon Fresh brands.
  • I used this 3 3/4 inch flower cutter.*
  • *This product link is an affiliate link. This means I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
  • If you prefer a less sweet filling, you can also add cream cheese to this filling for a cheesecake-like filling. To make the cheesecake version:
    • 4 oz (113 g) full fat cream cheese, brought to room temperature
    • 7 oz (198 g) full fat sweetened condensed milk
    • ¼ cup (59 ml) lemon juice
    • Add cream cheese to a mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of your mixing bowl a few times as needed to make sure all the cream cheese gets beaten. Pour in the condensed milk. Beat until mixture is smooth. Add in the lemon juice. Mix at low speed until completely and evenly incorporated. Scoop filling into the cooled pie crusts.
  • Please note the actual nutrition is likely less calories and fat than the estimated. The estimated nutrition assumes all of the two pie crusts are consumed/used but there will be leftover scraps of pie dough.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pie, Calories: 222kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 0.03g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 174mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 16g, NET CARBS: 28

The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Mention @KirbieCravings and tag #kirbiecravings!

Posted in: 4 Ingredients or Less, Pies, Recipes

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3 Ingredient Lemon Pies (2024)

FAQs

What is lemon pie filling made of? ›

You make it with egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and zest, and fortify it with cornstarch so the filling holds its shape when you cut the pie.

Why does lemon pie get watery? ›

The watery layer between the meringue and the filling (weeping) is usually caused by undercooking. This is where it is important to put your meringue onto hot filling so it can begin cooking right away.

What is funeral pie made of? ›

Vintage Funeral Pie Recipe is an old-fashioned dessert that is made from raisins, spices, and walnuts. It was traditionally made by the Amish, but this sugary pie fits right into a Southern cook's recipe box.

What is crack pie made of? ›

Since it was invented it has become one of the most popular desserts in the world probably. Crack Pie is made of an oatmeal cookie crust filled with rich buttery pudding made mostly out of sugar, butter, cream and egg yolks. After baking it receives a golden top that is especially attractive and tempting.

Should I bake the bottom pie crust first? ›

You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put. Pre-baking the pie crust is only required when making a custard pie OR when making a fresh fruit pie. you should probably get: Pie weights are super helpful to have for pre-baking.

How do you get a crispy crust on the bottom of a pie? ›

Choose the Right Rack in the Oven

Which rack you use in the oven can help ensure a crisp crust. Baking the pie on a lower rack will concentrate heat on the bottom of the pie and help the crust crisp.

How can I thicken my lemon pie filling? ›

Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent. Lemon zest and juice: Lemon gives the filling its signature citrus flavor. Water: Water is used to cook the filling; it starts saucy thanks to the water and thickens thanks to the cornstarch and yolks.

How do you keep the bottom of a fruit pie from getting soggy? ›

Crust dust is a 1:1 mixture of flour and granulated sugar. When baking a pie, especially a fruit pie, a couple of teaspoons of crust dust sprinkled into the bottom of the crust will help prevent the crust from becoming saturated with juicy filling as it bakes.

How do you make a pie not runny? ›

Let the pie cool completely — preferably overnight

As the pie cools, its filling will solidify. It takes time for pie to cool thoroughly and its filling to thicken completely, so control your appetite and let it rest for several hours.

What causes pie to have a soggy bottom? ›

A soggy bottom crust happens when the wet filling of your pie soaks into the raw pie dough beneath before it's had a chance to set, causing it to become sodden and gummy. This is particularly problematic with both fruit pie and custard fillings because they have high moisture content.

Why put butter in pie filling? ›

Some say that scattering small bits of butter over a fruit filling keeps the juices from bubbling over in the same way that adding a bit of fat to simmering jam keeps it from foaming up in the preserving pan. The theory is that the fat disrupts the formation of bubbles on the surface of the viscous fruit mixture.

What is the purpose of butter in pie filling? ›

A: Dotting the top of a fruit pie filling with butter is an old habit but one that is called for in only about half of the pie recipes out there. Some maintain that the butter is for taste; others claim that it helps the filling set up, particularly when using flour as a thickener.

What is the best thickener for pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.

Is lemon pie filling the same as lemon curd? ›

Texture: Lemon curd has a smooth, creamy texture, whereas lemon pie filling is thicker and more gelatinous. Ingredients: Lemon curd typically contains eggs and butter, while lemon pie filling may include cornstarch or flour for thickening, and sometimes egg yolks.

What ingredient thickens pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

What is a substitute for clear jel in pie filling? ›

If you cannot find Clear Jel, another option is to can the pie filling without any thickener and then thicken it with tapioca or cornstarch before putting it into the pie shell.

What are the 4 types of pie fillings? ›

There are four types of pies: cream, fruit, custard, and savory.

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