Easy No-Bake S’mores Ice Cream Pie: Your Perfect Frozen Summer Dessert
Craving the nostalgic taste of s’mores but looking for a refreshing twist? Look no further! This spectacular **S’mores Ice Cream Pie** brings all the beloved flavors of a campfire classic – crunchy graham crackers, gooey marshmallows, and rich chocolate – into one glorious, frozen dessert. It’s the ultimate treat to cool down with on a warm summer day, requiring absolutely no oven time for the crust and no special ice cream maker for the incredibly creamy filling.
When it comes to desserts, few things evoke the magic of summer quite like s’mores. And while we adore the traditional campfire version, sometimes you need a dessert that’s a bit more refined, yet still incredibly easy and utterly delicious. This **ice cream pie** beautifully captures the essence of s’mores in a form that’s ideal for entertaining or simply enjoying a sweet moment at home. Imagine a buttery, slightly salty graham cracker crust holding a generous scoop of homemade no-churn marshmallow ice cream, crowned with a decadent chocolate fudge topping, more mini marshmallows, and extra graham cracker crumbles. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.
What makes this s’mores ice cream pie truly special is its simplicity. With a mere handful of ingredients – less than 10 to be exact – and minimal hands-on preparation time (we’re talking under 30 minutes!), you can create a show-stopping dessert that tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a casual get-together with friends, or just want to treat your family to something extraordinary, this recipe is your ticket to a hassle-free, utterly satisfying sweet ending. Prepare to fall in love with your new favorite frozen s’mores creation!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This S’mores Ice Cream Pie
- Key Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make This S’mores Ice Cream Pie Step-by-Step
- Expert Recipe Tips for Success
- Storage Suggestions
- More S’mores Inspired Recipes
- Get the Full Recipe
Why You’ll Love This S’mores Ice Cream Pie
This S’mores Ice Cream Pie isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration! Here’s why it’s destined to become a regular feature in your summer dessert rotation:
- The Quintessential Summer Dessert: This pie is the embodiment of summer enjoyment, bringing together the beloved campfire treat with a delightful frozen twist. It’s light, refreshing, and perfectly suited for picnics, barbecues, or simply enjoying on a warm evening. It’s a fantastic alternative to heavy baked goods when the temperatures soar, making it truly ideal for s’mores season!
- Incredibly Easy to Make: Forget complicated recipes! This pie boasts a straightforward approach with basic, readily available ingredients and a few simple steps. Even novice bakers can achieve impressive results, making it a stress-free option when you want to create something spectacular without spending hours in the kitchen. The minimal prep means more time for fun!
- No Ice Cream Maker Required: That’s right! The star of this pie – the luscious, creamy marshmallow ice cream filling – comes together without any specialized equipment. It’s a “no-churn” recipe, made by folding together perfectly whipped heavy cream with sweetened condensed milk and rich marshmallow cream. Once frozen, the result is an incredibly fluffy, smooth, and irresistibly creamy texture that rivals traditional churned ice cream.
- A Harmony of Flavors and Textures: Every bite of this S’mores Ice Cream Pie offers an exciting blend of sensations. You get the satisfying crunch and buttery notes from the graham cracker crust, the ethereal sweetness and fluffiness of the marshmallow ice cream, and the rich, smooth indulgence of the chocolate fudge. Topped with soft mini marshmallows and more crunchy graham pieces, it truly delivers on all fronts, creating an unforgettable dessert experience. We know you’re going to absolutely adore this combination!
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this s’mores ice cream pie is a breeze, as most are common pantry staples. Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:
For the **Crust** you’ll need graham cracker crumbs (about 9 whole crackers, or one sleeve), a touch of brown sugar for sweetness and depth, a pinch of salt to balance the flavors, and melted butter to bind it all together into a perfect crumbly base. For the creamy **Filling**, you’ll combine a can of sweetened condensed milk, a jar of fluffy marshmallow cream (often found near baking supplies), and heavy whipping cream, which will be beaten to airy peaks. Finally, for the irresistible **Topping**, grab some chocolate fudge sauce (store-bought works wonderfully, or you can make your own), a handful of mini marshmallows, and a few extra crumbled graham crackers for that signature s’mores look and crunch.
How to Make This S’mores Ice Cream Pie Step-by-Step
Creating this delicious s’mores ice cream pie is a straightforward process, broken down into a few simple steps. Follow these instructions to assemble your perfect frozen treat:
- Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust: Begin by combining your finely crushed graham crackers with the brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and the melted butter. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly moistened and resemble wet sand. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. The firmer you press, the more stable your crust will be. Once formed, place the pie plate into the freezer to chill and set while you prepare the creamy filling. This step is crucial for a perfectly firm base.
- Make the No-Churn Ice Cream Filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the marshmallow cream and sweetened condensed milk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This forms the sweet, sticky base of your ice cream. In a separate, larger bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the heavy cream until it forms medium, soft peaks. The whipped cream will provide the airy, light texture for your no-churn ice cream. Gently fold the whipped cream into the marshmallow and condensed milk mixture. Be careful not to overmix, as this can deflate the whipped cream and reduce the fluffiness of your final ice cream. Aim for a light, uniform blend.
- Pour Filling into Crust and Freeze: Retrieve your chilled graham cracker crust from the freezer. Carefully spoon the prepared marshmallow ice cream filling into the crust, spreading it into an even layer with a spatula. Depending on the depth of your pie dish, you might have a little extra filling – don’t overfill! Place the pie back into the freezer for at least 2 hours. This initial freeze time allows the filling to firm up sufficiently before adding the final topping.
- Top with Chocolate Fudge Sauce and Freeze Again: Once the pie has frozen for at least 2 hours, take it out and gently spread the chocolate fudge sauce evenly over the top of the ice cream layer. Ensure the fudge is at a spreadable temperature (not hot, as it will melt the ice cream). Return the pie to the freezer for an additional 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight. This longer freezing period is essential for the pie to set up completely and achieve the perfect sliceable consistency. Patience is key here!
- Add Marshmallows and Grahams for Serving: Just before you’re ready to serve, bring the pie out of the freezer. Generously sprinkle mini marshmallows and additional graham cracker pieces over the chocolate fudge layer. For an extra special touch that truly mimics the campfire experience, you can lightly toast the mini marshmallows on top using a kitchen torch. Be quick and careful to avoid burning!
- Serve and Enjoy! To achieve clean, beautiful slices, use a sharp knife that has been dipped in hot tap water and wiped dry between each cut. This technique helps the knife glide through the frozen layers more smoothly. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite of your homemade s’mores ice cream pie!
Baking Tip: How to Perfectly Crush Graham Crackers
Whether you’re crafting a sturdy graham cracker crust or simply using crushed graham crackers as a delightful topping, achieving the right consistency is key. Here are two easy and effective methods to crush graham crackers:
- With a Food Processor or High-Powered Blender: This method is by far the easiest and most efficient way to get perfectly fine, uniform crumbs. Simply break your graham crackers into smaller pieces and place them in the bowl of your food processor or blender. Pulse and/or process until the crackers are completely crushed into fine crumbs. While it might mean a few more dishes to wash, the consistent results are well worth it, especially for a smooth crust.
- With a Rolling Pin (or Other Heavy Object): If you don’t have a food processor or prefer a more hands-on approach, a rolling pin works wonders. Place your graham crackers inside a sturdy zip-top plastic bag and seal it, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Lay the bag flat on a clean, sturdy surface. Use a rolling pin (or the bottom of a heavy skillet, a meat mallet, or even a sturdy glass) to repeatedly smash and crush the crackers until they reach your desired crumb consistency. This method might require a bit more effort to achieve very fine crumbs, but it uses no special equipment and makes for easy cleanup. Just be mindful not to puncture the bag during the process!
Expert Recipe Tips for Success
To ensure your S’mores Ice Cream Pie turns out absolutely perfect and gets rave reviews, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- No-Bake Crust Convenience: One of the best features of this recipe is that there’s absolutely no need to bake the graham cracker pie crust. The combination of butter and sugar ensures it sets up beautifully and firmly in the freezer. This means less heat in your kitchen during summer months – hooray for not needing the oven!
- Choosing Your Chocolate Fudge Sauce: While a store-bought chocolate fudge sauce offers incredible convenience and consistent results, feel free to get creative! If you’re feeling ambitious, you can absolutely make your own homemade fudge sauce. Just ensure it’s cooled to room temperature before spreading.
- Fudge Sauce Temperature is Key: Pay close attention to the temperature of your chocolate fudge sauce. Many “hot fudge” sauces are quite solid at room temperature and need to be gently heated to become pourable. However, applying a warm sauce directly to your frozen pie filling will cause it to melt and create a messy situation. For the best results, use a chocolate sauce that is easily spreadable straight from the jar, or ensure any heated sauce is completely cooled before application.
- The Ultimate S’mores Garnish: The sprinkling of mini marshmallows and crumbled graham crackers on top isn’t just for decoration; it completes the authentic s’mores experience. For an extra special touch that truly mimics a campfire treat, consider using a kitchen torch to lightly toast the mini marshmallows just before serving. This adds a beautiful golden-brown color and a delicious caramelized flavor. Remember to work quickly and carefully to avoid over-toasting.
- Patience is a Virtue (Especially with Freezing): The absolute hardest part of making this pie is waiting for it to firm up completely in the freezer. Resist the urge to cut into it too soon! If you try to slice it before it’s fully set, you’ll end up with a delicious but messy puddle. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of total freezing time. For the absolute best results, prepare it the day before you plan to serve it, allowing it to chill overnight. This guarantees a perfectly solid, sliceable pie.
- For Pristine Slices: To achieve the cleanest, most aesthetically pleasing slices, employ a chef’s trick: dip a sharp knife into hot tap water, then quickly wipe it dry with a cloth before making each cut. You’ll need to repeat this process every 1-2 slices to keep the knife warm and prevent the ice cream from sticking, ensuring smooth, neat portions every time.
Storage Suggestions
To keep your S’mores Ice Cream Pie fresh and delicious, proper storage is essential. Once fully frozen and served, any leftover slices or the remainder of the pie should be returned to the freezer immediately. Wrap the pie tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping helps to prevent freezer burn and keeps unwanted odors from permeating the pie. Stored this way, your S’mores Ice Cream Pie will remain fresh and tasty for up to 1-2 weeks in the freezer. For the best texture, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving again to allow it to soften slightly, making it easier to slice and enjoy.
More S’mores Inspired Recipes
If you’re as obsessed with s’mores as we are, you’ll love exploring these other creative and delicious s’mores-inspired recipes:
- S’mores No-Bake Icebox Cake: Layers of graham crackers, chocolate pudding, and marshmallow cream come together in this easy, chilled delight.
- No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream: Enjoy the classic flavors in a creamy, scoopable ice cream that doesn’t require any special equipment.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores: A fun twist on the classic, using warm, chewy chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers.
- S’mores Ice Cream Sandwiches: Homemade s’mores cookies filled with a delicious scoop of ice cream for a handheld treat.
This delightful recipe was originally published in July 2018 in partnership with Go Bold with Butter, showcasing the versatility and richness butter brings to desserts.
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S’mores Ice Cream Pie
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Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups (150 grams) graham cracker crumbs (9 whole crackers/1 sleeve)
- ¼ cup (53 grams) light or dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter , melted
Filling:
- 14 oz can (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
- 7 oz jar (200 grams) marshmallow cream
- 2 cups (450 grams) heavy whipping cream
Topping:
- ½ cup (150 grams) chocolate fudge sauce , store-bought, or make your own
- ½ cup (21 grams) mini marshmallows
- ¼ cup (40 grams) crumbled graham crackers
Equipment
Instructions
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Combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, salt and butter and press into a 9-inch pie dish. Put in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
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Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and marshmallow cream until smooth. With an electric mixer, beat the heavy whipping cream to medium peaks. Gently fold into the marshmallow mixture.
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Spoon the filling into the pie dish. Depending on how deep your dish is, you may not need all of the filling. Freeze for at least 2 hours before adding topping.
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Spread the fudge sauce over the top of the pie and freeze until pie is completely firm, about 4-6 hours more or overnight.
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When ready to serve, top with mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces. For easier slicing, dip a sharp knife in hot water and wipe dry with a towel in between cuts.
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