This cheerful green pie is creamy, fluffy, and irresistibly festive. It sets up in the fridge, so there is no need to turn on the oven, and every slice brings a little sparkle to movie night or a cozy gathering.
No Bake Grinch Pie
Equipment
- 1 9-inch pie plate if making homemade crust
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Hand mixer or stand mixer
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Rubber spatula
- 1 Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 graham cracker crust store-bought, 9-inch
- 1.5 cup graham cracker crumbs for homemade crust
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar for homemade crust
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted, for homemade crust
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract alcohol-free; or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 box instant pistachio pudding mix 3.4 oz; instant only
- 1 cup cold milk whole milk preferred
- 8 oz whipped topping thawed; or fold in 2 cups lightly sweetened whipped cream
- 1 to 2 drops green gel food coloring optional
Toppings
- Whipped cream for swirls
- Red heart sprinkles for decorating
- Chopped pistachios for crunch
Instructions
Prepare the crust
- If using homemade: mix graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture feels like damp sand. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie plate. Chill 15 minutes.
Beat the creamy base
- In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and alcohol-free vanilla until silky and smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl.
Whisk the pudding
- In a separate bowl, whisk instant pistachio pudding mix with cold milk for 2 minutes until thick. Let it sit 1 minute to finish setting.
Combine
- Beat the thickened pudding into the cream cheese mixture on low just until combined. Add 1 to 2 drops green coloring if you want a brighter hue.
Fold in the fluff
- Gently fold in whipped topping until no streaks remain. Keep the mixture airy.
Fill and chill
- Spoon filling into the crust and smooth the top. Chill at least 4 hours, or overnight for the cleanest slices.
Decorate and serve
- Pipe or dollop whipped cream, add red heart sprinkles, and finish with chopped pistachios. Slice with a warm knife for tidy edges.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This No Bake Grinch Pie
- Fast to make with simple pantry ingredients.
- Ultra creamy texture with a light, mousse-like finish.
- No baking required, just chill and serve.
- Kid-approved color and grown-up pistachio flavor.
No Bake Grinch Pie Ingredients & Substitutions
- Graham cracker crust: 1 store-bought 9-inch crust, or make your own with 1 1/2 cups graham crumbs, 6 tbsp melted butter, and 2 tbsp sugar. Swap grahams with vanilla wafers or chocolate cookies.
- Cream cheese: 8 oz, softened. For a lighter pie, use Neufchâtel. Ensure it is fully softened for a smooth filling.
- Powdered sugar: 1/2 cup to sweeten and stabilize the filling.
- Alcohol-free vanilla: 1 tsp for warm sweetness. Almond extract works too, use 1/4 to 1/2 tsp.
- Instant pistachio pudding mix: 1 box (3.4 oz). Do not use cook-and-serve. If pistachio is unavailable, use vanilla pudding with a few drops of pistachio or almond extract.
- Cold milk: 1 cup. Whole milk gives the best body. Half-and-half makes it extra rich.
- Whipped topping: 8 oz, thawed, or fold in 2 cups lightly sweetened whipped cream. For whipped cream, beat cold cream with powdered sugar to soft peaks, or stabilize with a spoonful of softened cream cheese.
- Green gel food coloring: Optional, 1 to 2 drops for that signature Grinch green.
- Toppings: Whipped cream swirls, red heart sprinkles, and chopped pistachios for a little crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make No Bake Grinch Pie
1. Prepare the crust
If using homemade: mix graham crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until the texture feels like damp sand. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie plate. Chill 15 minutes.
2. Beat the creamy base
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and alcohol-free vanilla until silky and smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl.
3. Whisk the pudding
In a separate bowl, whisk instant pistachio pudding mix with cold milk for 2 minutes until thick. Let it sit 1 minute to finish setting.
4. Combine
Beat the thickened pudding into the cream cheese mixture on low just until combined. Add 1 to 2 drops green coloring if you want a brighter hue.
5. Fold in the fluff
Gently fold in whipped topping until no streaks remain. Keep the mixture airy.
6. Fill and chill
Spoon filling into the crust and smooth the top. Chill at least 4 hours, or overnight for the cleanest slices.
7. Decorate and serve
Pipe or dollop whipped cream, add red heart sprinkles, and finish with chopped pistachios. Slice with a warm knife for tidy edges.
Tips for Success
- Use cold milk and instant pudding so the filling thickens properly.
- Soften cream cheese fully to avoid lumps.
- Fold gently to keep the filling light and mousse-like.
- Chill long enough. Four hours is good, overnight is best.
- For super clean slices, freeze the pie for 15 minutes before cutting.
Variations of No Bake Grinch Pie
- Oreo crust: Swap the graham crust for chocolate cookie crumbs for a cookies-and-cream vibe.
- Minty Grinch: Add 1 to 2 drops peppermint extract and top with crushed chocolate mints.
- Vanilla green pie: Use vanilla pudding with a few drops of almond extract and green coloring.
- Mini pies: Press crust crumbs into a muffin pan lined with paper cups and fill for party-ready minis.
- Extra nutty: Fold in 1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios for added texture.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with No Bake Grinch Pie
- Hot cocoa or a steamy mug of chai.
- Fresh berries or a simple fruit salad for brightness.
- Sugar cookies or shortbread for a crunchy sidekick.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate: Cover and chill up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze well-wrapped up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Make ahead: Assemble a day in advance and decorate just before serving.
Memories Made Around the Table
We make this pie on the first snowy night of the season, then curl up with a classic movie. It is the kind of simple treat that brings everyone to the table smiling.
FAQs
Can I use cook-and-serve pudding?
Use instant pudding only. Cook-and-serve does not set correctly in a no-bake filling.
How do I keep the pie from being too soft?
Measure milk accurately, use instant pudding, and chill at least 4 hours. For extra body, use half-and-half or add a spoonful of softened cream cheese when whipping cream.
Is food coloring required?
No. The pistachio pudding adds a light green color. A drop or two of gel enhances the Grinch green if you prefer it brighter.
What if I do not have whipped topping?
Fold in 2 cups softly whipped cream sweetened with powdered sugar. Beat to soft peaks so it blends smoothly.
Final Thoughts
From its playful color to its cloud-like texture, this No Bake Grinch Pie is pure joy. Make it ahead, chill, and share a slice with the people you love most.