• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
Sugar Spun Run
  • All Recipes
  • Desserts
    • Cookies
    • Candy
    • Bars & Brownies
    • Cake
    • Pies
  • Pastries
  • Breads
  • Savory
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins
    • Scones
  • Seasonal
    • Cozy Winter / Holiday Treats
    • Easter / Spring
    • Fall Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • All Recipes
  • Contact/Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Desserts / Pies / Kitchen Tips: Easy Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

    Kitchen Tips: Easy Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

    March 1, 2017 Updated April 23, 2018 BySam 271 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Five minute graham cracker crust

    Skip the store-bought, pre-packaged graham cracker crusts and make your own!  A good graham cracker crust takes only a few ingredients and several minutes to make, with this solid, simple recipe you’ll never need to buy a storebought crust again!

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    I kind of understand the hesitation to make your own pie crust when it comes to traditional pastry crusts.  I know the frustration of trying to roll out a perfectly circular crust, of sprinkling flour over your whole counter-top to keep things from sticking, and the annoyance of cleaning up afterwards.

    I always opt to make my own crusts, but I can at least understand why someone might choose the pre-packaged variety.

    But when it comes to graham cracker crusts, I really feel that there’s no excuse to ever buy one from the store.  For one, they don’t taste nearly as good as one that you could make yourself, and secondly they are so supremely simple to make that it’s almost laughable.

    Today I want to walk through the simple steps to make your own graham cracker crust.  The whole process takes about five minutes, and once you have this recipe I have a feeling you’re going to avoid the storebought crusts from now on.

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    We start with graham crackers, or pre-crumbled graham cracker crumbs.  You’ll need approximately 10 graham cracker sheets, which translates to 1 ½ cups of graham cracker crumbs.

    Process them in a food processor or place them in a large ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to pulverize them into fine, sandy crumbs, like below:

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    Add your sugar — I like to use a split of both white sugar and brown sugar, but you can use just one or the other if you would like.  I feel that the brown sugar gives it a slightly richer flavor (something you don’t get from a semi-stale storebought crust!).

    Next comes the butter, which essentially acts as the glue that holds the whole crust together.

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    Use a fork to toss everything together.  I prefer to use a fork rather than a spoon or a spatula because it does a good job of evenly incorporating everything together.

    After a little bit of mixing, the crumb mixture should be well-combined and slightly damp.

    Now you’re ready to transfer everything to your pie plate.

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    You can use a 9″ pie plate, which I used here, but this graham cracker crust recipe also works for cheesecake in a 9 or 10″ springform pan.

    Transfer your crumbs to your pie plate and press them tightly into the bottom of the pan.  I like to use the (clean) bottom of one of my measuring cups to press the crumbs — it makes for a smooth, even surface.

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun RunHow to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    Finally, tend to the sides of the pie crust.  Use your fingers to press the crumbs firmly all around the sides of the pie pan.

    How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    Your graham cracker crust will need to be baked in order to firm it up, that way when you cut into your pie the crust cuts nicely and doesn’t crumble.  If your recipe is one that requires baking the pie, just follow the instructions in your recipe.

    If it is for a no-bake recipe, then you can just slip it into the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before using.  How to make an easy graham cracker crust from scratch || Sugar Spun Run

    And that is it!  Just a few super simple steps to your own homemade graham cracker crust.

    Full recipe just below the video

    Graham cracker crust being pressed in to glass pie plate

    Easy Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

    A simple graham cracker crust recipe that takes less than five minutes to mix together.
    4.84 from 85 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 crust
    Calories: 1375kcal
    Author: Sam Merritt

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (or 10 graham cracker sheets pulverized to crumbs in a food processor) (170g)
    • 2 Tablespoons sugar
    • 1 Tablespoons brown sugar packed
    • 7 Tablespoons butter melted (100g)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Pulverize graham crackers in food processor until finely ground into crumbs (skip this step if starting with graham cracker crumbs).
    • Combine graham cracker crumbs and sugars in a medium-sized bowl.  Add melted butter and use a fork to combine ingredients well.
    • Pour mixture into pie or springform pan.  Use the (clean!) bottom of a measuring cup to firmly pack crumbs into the bottom of the pan and (if using a pie pan) gently press up the sides.  Use your fingers to pack crumbs tightly into the sides of the pie pan.
    • If the crust needs to be pre-baked, bake on 375F for 7-10 minutes. If using this crust as part of a different recipe, bake according to your recipe's instructions.  If this crust is for a no-bake recipe, refrigerate or freeze for 10-20 minutes before filling.

    Notes

    You can just use white sugar if you do not have brown.
    This recipe will work for a 9" pie pan or a 9-10" springform pan 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pie | Calories: 1375kcal | Carbohydrates: 132g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 92g | Saturated Fat: 52g | Cholesterol: 211mg | Sodium: 1534mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 65g | Vitamin A: 2449IU | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 5mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

    Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!

    A homemade graham cracker crust in process -- flattening the crust using a measuring cup

    Now that you’ve made your pie crust, fill it with something good like this Lemon Cream Pie!

    Lemon Pie

    « Millionaire’s Shortbread
    Double Chocolate Chip Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara

      June 01, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      How do I know if it needs to be baked? I’m making cherry cream cheese pie and am unsure 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
      • Sam

        June 03, 2022 at 2:33 pm

        Hi Sara! If you are baking the pie then you shouldn’t have to bake your crust. 🙂

        Reply
      • Kay

        June 15, 2022 at 7:17 pm

        See number 4 in the instructions. I don’t think you are baking a Cherry Cream cheese Pie. But you do need to bake the crust in order to melt the butter and sugars so the crust holds together. If you don’t bake it and let it cool, the crust will turn to crumbs when you cut it.

        Reply
    2. Abby

      May 31, 2022 at 11:07 pm

      Should i use salted or unsalted butter?

      Reply
      • Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

        June 01, 2022 at 11:55 am

        Either will work 😊

        Reply
      • Jenny

        June 14, 2022 at 3:47 am

        Yes

        Reply
    3. Shelby

      April 26, 2022 at 1:57 pm

      Could I use shortbread cookies in place of graham crackers for a press in shortbread crust

      Reply
      • Sam

        April 27, 2022 at 3:51 pm

        Hi Shelby! I suppose it could work, but I’m not sure what/if any alterations would need to be made here.

        Reply
      • James Allen

        May 29, 2022 at 3:29 pm

        I buy the shortbread cookies from the 99 Cents store if they ever get a little stale from being open too long are use them for piecrust they’re perfect for that…. I love shortbread cookies the best

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

    Warm Weather Recipes

    golden brown funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar on a white plate

    Funnel Cake Recipe

    mason jar of iced sweet tea with a lemon round garnish

    Sweet Tea

    Lemonade in glass pitcher

    Homemade Lemonade Recipe

    lemon cake on white plate

    Lemon Cake

    glass jar full of homemade lemon curd on a gray marble surface surrounded by lemon halves and small white baby's breath flowers

    Lemon Curd Recipe

    pink strawberry cake on white plate

    Strawberry Cake

    Most Popular

    flaky biscuit on white cloth

    Easy Homemade Biscuits

    Pizza dough in glass bowl, after rising

    The Best Pizza Dough Recipe

    one bite missing from a slice of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting

    The Best Vanilla Cake Recipe

    stack of 5 chocolate chip cookies

    The WORST Chocolate Chip Cookies

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    places sugar spun run has been featured (Women's Day, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Country Living, the huffington post, People, Delish, MSN, TLC, Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed)
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Privacy Policy|Accessibility Statement

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    ABOUT

    • About Me
    • Policies, Disclosure & Privacy
    • Terms of Use

    CONTACT

    • Contact
    • Work with Me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    © 2020 Sugar Spun Run. All Rights Reserved

    • 76