Cream pies are a beloved dessert that combine smooth, creamy fillings with flaky crusts. These sweet treats come in many flavors, from classic chocolate and banana to fruity strawberry and coconut.
You can find a cream pie to suit every taste and occasion.
Making cream pies at home is easier than you might think. With simple ingredients and straightforward recipes, you can create these dreamy desserts in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re looking for a quick no-bake option or a more traditional baked pie, there are plenty of recipes to choose from.
Get ready to impress your family and friends with these delicious homemade cream pies.
1. Classic Banana Cream Pie
Banana cream pie is a timeless dessert that brings back memories of family gatherings. To make this pie, start with a pre-baked pie crust.
Mix sugar, cornstarch, and milk in a saucepan. Cook until thick, stirring often.
Add some of this mixture to beaten egg yolks, then pour it all back into the pan.
Cook a bit more, then remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Let it cool slightly.
Layer banana slices in the crust and pour the filling over them.
Chill the pie for at least 2 hours. Before serving, top with whipped cream.
This classic treat is sure to please everyone at your table.
2. Old-Fashioned Coconut Cream Pie
This classic dessert brings back memories of grandma’s kitchen. You’ll love the creamy coconut filling nestled in a flaky pastry crust.
To make the filling, mix sugar, salt, cornstarch, half-and-half, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until it boils and thickens.
Pour the warm custard into a cooled pie crust. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Chill for at least 4 hours until set.
Top with whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes before serving.
This pie is perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave a taste of nostalgia.
3. Chocolate Silk Cream Pie
Chocolate Silk Cream Pie is a decadent dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth. This pie features a velvety smooth chocolate filling in a flaky crust.
To make the filling, you’ll melt bittersweet chocolate and mix it with sugar, eggs, and instant espresso powder. The espresso enhances the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.
Whip the mixture until it’s light and fluffy. This creates the silky texture that gives the pie its name.
Pour it into a pre-baked pie crust and chill.
Top your pie with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings for an extra special touch.
Serve it cold for the best flavor and texture.
4. Lemon Meringue Cream Pie
Lemon meringue cream pie is a delightful twist on the classic dessert. You’ll love its tangy lemon filling and fluffy meringue topping.
To make the filling, mix milk, sugar, and lemon zest in a saucepan. Whisk in egg yolks and cornstarch, then cook until thick.
Pour this into a pre-baked pie crust.
For the meringue, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Add sugar slowly, beating until stiff peaks form.
Spread this over the lemon filling.
Bake the pie at 325°F for about 15 minutes, until the meringue turns golden brown. Let it cool before serving.
5. Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie
This dessert brings together sweet strawberries and creamy cheese in a delightful pie. Start with a graham cracker crust for a crunchy base.
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla to create a smooth filling.
Spread the cream cheese mixture in the crust and chill it.
Top with fresh strawberries and a strawberry glaze for extra flavor.
Let the pie set in the fridge for at least 8 hours before serving.
You can use homemade or store-bought crust depending on your time and skill.
This pie is perfect for warm days or special events. It offers a balance of tangy cream cheese and sweet fruit flavors.
6. Peanut Butter Cream Pie
Peanut butter cream pie is a beloved dessert that’s easy to make. You’ll need cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, and a pre-made pie crust.
Beat softened cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar and peanut butter, then mix well.
This creates a smooth, creamy filling.
Pour the mixture into your pie crust. Some recipes call for refrigeration, while others suggest freezing.
Either way, chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
For extra peanut butter flavor, sprinkle crumbled peanut butter and powdered sugar on top.
You can also add melted chocolate for a tasty twist.
This no-bake dessert is perfect for peanut butter lovers. It’s quick to prepare and uses simple ingredients.
7. Key Lime Cream Pie
Key Lime Cream Pie is a refreshing dessert that combines tangy lime flavor with creamy sweetness. You’ll love its smooth texture and bright taste.
To make this pie, mix crushed graham crackers with melted butter for the crust. Press it into a pie dish and bake until set.
For the filling, blend cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and key lime juice.
Pour this mixture into the cooled crust and chill for at least 2 hours.
Top your pie with whipped cream and lime slices before serving.
This dessert is perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you crave a citrusy treat.
8. Boston Cream Pie
Boston Cream Pie is a classic dessert that’s actually a cake, not a pie. It features two layers of soft vanilla sponge cake filled with creamy custard.
The top is covered with a rich chocolate glaze.
To make it, you’ll bake two round cake layers and prepare a vanilla custard filling.
Once cooled, spread the custard between the cake layers. Then pour warm chocolate glaze over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
This dessert originated in Boston in the 1800s. It’s now the official dessert of Massachusetts.
You can find it in bakeries, but it’s also fun to make at home for a special treat.
9. Butterscotch Cream Pie
Butterscotch cream pie is a classic dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth. This creamy treat features a rich butterscotch filling in a flaky crust.
To make the filling, you’ll mix milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and butter in a saucepan. Cook this mixture until it thickens into a smooth custard.
Pour the filling into a pre-baked pie crust and let it cool.
Top with a layer of freshly whipped cream for extra indulgence.
For added crunch, try using a graham cracker or cookie crumb crust instead of traditional pastry.
You can also sprinkle some chopped nuts on top for texture.
10. Vanilla Custard Cream Pie
Vanilla custard cream pie is a classic dessert that combines a flaky crust with a smooth, creamy filling. This pie features a rich custard made from eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla.
To make the custard, mix these ingredients and cook them until thick.
Pour the mixture into a pre-baked pie crust and bake until set.
For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of nutmeg on top before baking.
You can also top the finished pie with whipped cream for a delightful contrast in textures.
This pie is best served chilled. It makes a great dessert for family gatherings or holiday meals.
You’ll love its simple yet satisfying taste.
11. Pumpkin Spice Cream Pie
Pumpkin Spice Cream Pie is a tasty twist on the classic pumpkin pie. You’ll love its light, creamy texture and rich fall flavors.
To make it, mix canned pumpkin with instant cheesecake pudding mix, evaporated milk, and spices. Fold in some whipped topping for extra fluffiness.
Pour the mixture into a graham cracker crust. You can make your own by crushing graham crackers and mixing with butter and sugar.
Chill the pie for at least 4 hours before serving.
Top with extra whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a pretty finish.
This no-bake dessert is perfect for busy holiday gatherings. It’s easy to make and sure to be a hit with pumpkin lovers.
12. Raspberry Cream Pie
Raspberry cream pie is a delightful dessert that combines sweet and tart flavors. You’ll love the creamy filling paired with fresh raspberries.
The crust is typically made with crushed vanilla wafers or graham crackers. Mix the crumbs with melted butter and press into a pie dish.
For the filling, blend cream cheese, sugar, and whipped cream until smooth. Spread this mixture over the crust.
Top the cream layer with fresh raspberries or a homemade raspberry sauce.
Chill the pie for several hours before serving to let it set.
This pie is perfect for summer gatherings or holiday dinners.
You can easily customize it by adding chocolate chips or a drizzle of white chocolate on top.
13. Irish Cream Pie
Irish Cream Pie is a tasty dessert that combines chocolate and Irish cream liqueur flavors. You can make it with an Oreo cookie crust for extra chocolatey goodness.
The filling usually mixes cream cheese, milk, and Irish cream liqueur. Some recipes add chocolate pudding mix for more richness.
You can top your pie with whipped cream before serving.
This no-bake treat is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations or any time you want an easy, boozy dessert.
For the best results, chill your Irish Cream Pie for 1-2 hours before eating. This allows the flavors to blend and the pie to set properly.
14. Mint Chocolate Chip Cream Pie
Mint chocolate chip cream pie combines cool mint flavor with rich chocolate in a creamy, dreamy dessert. You’ll love the smooth mint filling studded with chocolate chips.
The crust is often made with chocolate cookie crumbs mixed with melted butter. Press this mixture into a pie pan and bake briefly to set.
For the filling, blend cream cheese, heavy cream, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add peppermint extract and green food coloring if desired. Fold in mini chocolate chips.
Pour the minty filling into the cooled crust. Chill for several hours until set.
Top with whipped cream and more chocolate chips before serving if you like.
This refreshing pie is perfect for summer gatherings or holiday dinners. The mint and chocolate combo is always a crowd-pleaser.
15. Blueberry Cream Pie
Blueberry cream pie is a delightful dessert that combines tangy cream and sweet blueberries. You’ll love the contrast between the smooth filling and juicy berries.
Start with a flaky pie crust as the base. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla for the creamy layer. Spread this mixture in the baked crust.
For the topping, cook blueberries with sugar until they burst and thicken. Let it cool before pouring over the cream layer.
Chill the pie for a few hours to set.
This pie is perfect for summer gatherings or anytime you crave a fruity treat. The bright blueberry flavor shines through the rich, creamy base.
Techniques for Perfect Cream Pies
Making a great cream pie depends on two key elements: a flaky crust and a smooth, rich filling. Here are some tips to help you master both parts.
Choosing the Right Crust
For a delicious cream pie, start with a good crust. You can use a graham cracker crust or a traditional pastry crust.
Graham cracker crusts are easy to make and work well with many cream pies.
To make a graham cracker crust:
- Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs
- Mix with melted butter and sugar
- Press into a pie dish
- Bake for 10 minutes at 350°F
For a flaky pastry crust:
- Use cold butter and ice water
- Don’t overwork the dough
- Chill before rolling out
- Blind bake to prevent sogginess
Secrets to Creamy Fillings
The filling is the star of any cream pie. To get it just right, follow these tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients
- Cook custard fillings over low heat
- Stir constantly to prevent lumps
- Strain the mixture for extra smoothness
- Cool completely before adding to the crust
For no-bake fillings:
- Whip cream until stiff peaks form
- Fold in other ingredients gently
- Chill for at least 4 hours before serving
Common Cream Pie Mistakes
Making cream pies can be tricky. Two key areas often cause problems: soggy bottoms and overly sweet fillings. Let’s look at how to avoid these issues.
Avoiding Soggy Bottoms
Soggy bottoms can ruin an otherwise perfect cream pie. To prevent this, blind bake your crust before adding the filling.
Line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges are golden.
Remove the weights and paper, then bake a few more minutes until the bottom is lightly browned. This creates a barrier between the crust and filling.
Don’t overfill your pie. Too much filling can make the bottom soggy. Fill only to the top of the crust.
Let your pie cool completely before slicing. This helps the filling set and prevents sogginess.
Balancing Sweetness
A too-sweet cream pie can be overwhelming. Taste your filling as you go and adjust the sugar.
Start with less sugar than the recipe calls for – you can always add more.
Use unsweetened whipped cream as a topping. This balances a sweet filling.
Add a pinch of salt to your filling. It enhances flavors and cuts sweetness.
Try using tangy fruits like lemon or lime in your filling. Their acidity balances sweetness.
Pair your pie with unsweetened coffee or tea. The bitterness complements the sweet pie.