For no-bake pie crusts, you can experiment with almost any crunchy ingredient as a base. Pretzels, chips, or shortbread come to mind.
Before you start experimenting, here are 4 recipes that have been tested and proven to work without baking. These no-bake crusts are suitable for cream fillings or fillings cooked on the stovetop and cooled before adding to the pie.
Why turn on the oven if you don’t have to? Use these recipes for your summer cakes.
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
This dough is perfect for gelatin-based no-bake cream pies and cheesecakes.
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon flour
1/2 cup soft butter
1/2 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1.) Crush cookies into fine crumbs in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin. Combine with the remaining ingredients and mix well with your fingertips.
2.) Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate.
3.) Put in the fridge to chill.
Almond Cream Tart Base
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup toasted almond flakes
1/4 cup softened butter
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1.) Grind the cookies and toasted almonds into fine crumbs with a rolling pin or food processor.
2.) Mix with butter, almond extract, and heavy cream.
3.) Press into a pie plate and place in the fridge to chill until needed.
Notes: You can experiment with different nuts and extracts for this crust. Try to use walnuts or hazelnuts. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet on the stove to bring out more flavor.
Cereal Crumb Cake Dough
Don’t throw away the cereal crumbs! Scoop them up and within a few days, you’ll have more than enough crumbs to make tasty pie crust.
5 tablespoons of butter
3 spoonfuls of sugar
1 cup corn flake crumbs
1.) Melt butter, add sugar and crumbs. Mix well. Press into bottom and sides of pie pan and place in refrigerator to chill until needed.
Notes: Don’t stop at just cornflakes. Use rice cereal, bran flakes or even fruit loops. If you really like to experiment, try a combination of two or three types of cereal.
Dutch Toast Pie Dough
Dutch rusks are toasted bread circles used primarily for canapés and dips. If you can’t find them in your local area, you can order them online or you can use Melba toast, which is similar.
1 cup Dutch sponge cake crumbs
1/2 cup soft butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1.) Mix the toasted pound cake crumbs with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
2.) Press into bottom and sides of pie pan and chill until needed.
Notes: You may need to double this recipe for deep dish cakes.