Learn How to Make Easy Graham Cracker Crust! This crust is buttery, tasty, doesn’t crumble, and comes out perfectly every single time. It’s is perfect for cheesecakes, pies, and tarts.
HOMEMADE EASY GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
The crust is a controversial part of a dessert. Not everyone loves every crust, but I think we can all agree that you really can’t go wrong with Graham Cracker Crust. 😘😘
This Graham Cracker Crust is buttery, crunchy, and can be tailor-made to your preferences! My daughter loves crust and always asks me to make it extra thick.
With only three ingredients, Graham Cracker Crust is super simple to make, whether thin or thick. I love recipes that call for items I usually keep on-hand, don’t you? Plus, a Graham Cracker Crust is already one of the most versatile dessert crusts!
I know a pre-made crust from the store is easy, but it lacks flavor. A Homemade Graham Cracker Crusts is simple and can be made a few days ahead of time and refrigerated until you need it. Not to mention, the taste really can’t be beaten.
It’s the perfect make-ahead recipe. I always keep this recipe handy and whip up a crust in the days leading up to when I need one, so all I have to do is create the rest of the dessert!
From all the pies ( Easy Eggless Key Lime Pie, chocolate pie, fruit pie, custard pie, and cream pie, just to name a few) to cheesecakes or tarts, Graham Cracker Crust can be the base for many desserts.
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST INGREDIENTS
Amounts are included in the printable recipe below (scroll down). You only need three ingredients:
- Graham Cracker
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
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HOW TO MAKE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS
There are a few different ways to create your own graham cracker crumbs. A food processor or blender will grind them up nicely. If you don’t have either of those (or don’t want to create more dishes to clean), you can let out any pent-up aggression and crush them in a zipped top bag with a rolling pin. Either way, you’ll end up with graham cracker crumbs!
HOW MANY GRAHAM CRACKERS DO I NEED TO MAKE A CRUST?
To me, this is always the most frustrating part of a recipe. Unless you bought pre-crushed graham cracker crumbs, knowing you need a certain amount of crumbs isn’t so helpful, is it? For instance, to make a 9 or 10-inch graham cracker crust, you’ll need 1 ½ cups of crumbs.
Let me break it down for you and simplify your day!
1 ½ cups = 150g graham cracker crumbs, about 10-12 full sheets of graham crackers.
My daughter always asks for an extra thick crust, so I use 2 cups of crumbs (200 gr or 15-17 full sheets) + 7 tablespoons (98 g) butter + 1/3 cup (67 g) sugar (keep scrolling down to the recipe card for the original amounts of butter and sugar).
HOW TO MAKE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
Seriously, this doesn’t get much simpler. Are you ready?
1 – GRIND – this is the crushing of the graham crackers stage. You can do that with a food processor or blender or crush them in a zipped top bag with a rolling pin.
2 – MIX – all the ingredients need to be added together and mixed well.
3 – PRESS – grab your pan and press the mixture in as evenly as possible, all over the bottom and up the sides.
Now you’re done! All you have left to do is check your recipe for baking (or not baking) information and either chill then fill or store it in the fridge until you’re ready for it.
TO BAKE OR NOT TO BAKE?
Versatility is one of the best parts of the graham cracker crust. While baked graham cracker crusts yield the best result since the butter and sugar bind together and are sure to hold their shape, some recipes, such as my Eggless Cheesecake recipe, don’t require a pre-baked crust. So be sure to follow your recipe’s direction!
- For a no-bake crust, chill the graham cracker crust for at least 30 to 60 minutes before filling it to solidify and compact the crust.
- For a baked crust, follow your recipe’s directions. If no directions are listed, I usually pre-bake for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (18-°C). Then you’re free to fill the crust and continue with the recipe’s directions.
MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS
If you’re like me and like to get as much done ahead of time as possible, I often prep the crust 1-2 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to use it. If your recipe calls for baking, wait until the day you’re planning to fill and finish the recipe to pop it in the oven.
STORING & FREEZING TIPS
Your graham cracker crust can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days and still maintain structure and flavor.
If you want to prepare a crust for future use, it also freezes beautifully! Freeze the prepared crust in your pan for up to three months. Thaw it before using by placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES WITH A GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
- Best No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- Easy Eggless Mini Cheesecakes
- Best Eggless Cheesecake [Video]
- Easy Eggless Key Lime Pie
How to Make Easy Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) graham cracker crumbs (about 10 – 12 full sheet graham crackers)
- 1/3 cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
For Extra Thick Crust:
- 2 cups (200 g) of crumbs (about 15-17 full sheet graham crackers)
- 7 tablespoons (98 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup (67 g) granulated sugar
Instructions
- Grind the graham cracker with a food processor or blender, or crush them in a zipped top bag with a rolling pin.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar with a fork until evenly moistened.
- Pour the crumbs mixture into the pan and press the crumbs down into the base and up the sides. Tip: Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to press down the crumbs evenly. Refrigerate until you make the filling (up to two days).
- Bake or refrigerate according to the recipe's instructions.
FREEZE: Freeze the prepared crust in your pan for up to 3 months—Thaw before using it in your recipe.
MAKE AHEAD: Prepare1-2 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until I’m ready to use it.
VARIATIONS:
- Try using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a hint of molasses flavor.
- Use any flavor of graham cracker – regular, cinnamon, chocolate – to switch it up!
- Add about a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the graham cracker crumbs, and it gives a little something extra to the crust!
- Don’t have graham crackers where you live? Use crushed digestive biscuits instead.
- Best No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
- Easy Eggless Mini Cheesecakes
- Best Eggless Cheesecake [Video]
- Easy Eggless Key Lime Pie
Nutrition
Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions about eggless baking.
