Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie: A Zesty, Creamy Delight for Every Occasion
Indulge in the harmonious blend of sweet, tart, and tangy lemon flavors with our incredibly rich and creamy Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie. This delightful dessert is a true showstopper, guaranteed to captivate your senses from the very first glance. With its bright, sunshine-yellow hue, it’s not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for your eyes, making it an ideal choice for any season, especially refreshing during spring and summer gatherings. Its vibrant color instantly evokes warmth and cheer, perfect for brightening any table.
Prepare for an unforgettable dessert experience. One bite of this extraordinary lemon pie, and you’ll understand why it quickly becomes a cherished favorite. Its irresistible flavor profile and silky-smooth texture create an experience so captivating, there’s truly no turning back once you’ve started. This pie offers a unique combination of refreshing tang and satisfying creaminess that sets it apart from other desserts.

Experience the Perfect Harmony of Sweet and Tart: Our Lemon Sour Cream Pie
Whether you’re planning an elegant dessert for a special celebration or simply craving an easy, satisfying treat for a weeknight, this luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie is designed to impress and delight. Its unique appeal lies in the exquisite balance it strikes: the vibrant zest of fresh lemon perfectly complements the cool, tangy richness of sour cream, all nestled within a buttery, crisp crust. Every forkful offers a symphony of textures and flavors – from the velvety-smooth, custardy filling to the bright, refreshing citrus notes – ensuring that each bite leaves you longing for another. This pie offers a sophisticated flavor profile that is both comforting and exhilarating.
This easy Sour Cream Lemon Pie recipe has a long-standing reputation for being both simple to prepare and universally loved. It’s a guaranteed hit among lemon enthusiasts and serves as a stunning centerpiece for any dinner party, family gathering, or holiday spread. Its effortless elegance and phenomenal taste make it a staple in any baker’s repertoire, proving that you don’t need complicated techniques to create something truly extraordinary. It’s the kind of dessert that gathers compliments and requests for the recipe.
Beyond this classic, the world of lemon desserts offers endless possibilities. If you adore the bright flavors found in this pie, you’ll also appreciate other delightful creations such as our delightful cherry desserts, the enchanting Soft Lemon & Blueberry Explosion Cookies, or our crisp White Chocolate Chip Lemon Cookies. Each recipe celebrates the versatility and irresistible charm of lemon, showcasing how this bright citrus can elevate any sweet treat. But for now, let’s focus on the star of the show!
Seriously, be warned: after that initial zesty taste, you’ll find it incredibly difficult to resist devouring the entire slice. The temptation for second, third, and even fourth servings is very real – it’s that good! This pie is not just a dessert; it’s an experience that will have you coming back for more, time and time again.

Lemon Sour Cream Pie stands as a timeless, crowd-pleasing dessert that consistently leaves everyone wanting more. Whether you’re looking for a classic option or a new twist on a classic favorite, this luscious pie is sure to delight. With just a few common ingredients and minimal preparation time, you can create a decadent and delicious dessert that’s ready to be savored. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest recipes yield the most spectacular results. Let’s dive into making this incredible pie!
Essential Ingredients for Your Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie
Crafting this incredible Lemon Sour Cream Pie requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture that makes this dessert truly special. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Irresistible Graham Cracker Crust
A sturdy and flavorful crust is the foundation of any great pie. Our graham cracker crust offers a delightful crunch and a subtle sweetness that perfectly complements the tart lemon filling. Simple to assemble, it sets the stage for a truly exquisite pie and provides a wonderful textural contrast.
- Keebler Graham Cracker Crumbs: The ideal base for our perfectly sweet and crumbly crust. Using pre-crushed crumbs saves time and ensures a consistent texture.
- Butter: Essential for binding the crumbs together and adding rich, buttery flavor. Ensure it’s fully melted before mixing for even distribution.
- Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the crust and enhance its golden-brown crispness, making it even more inviting.
For the Velvety Lemon Sour Cream Filling
This is where the magic happens! The filling is the heart of the pie, a creamy, zesty symphony that combines the brightness of lemon with the smooth tang of sour cream. It’s surprisingly easy to prepare and comes together beautifully on the stovetop, transforming into a luscious custard.
- Granulated Sugar: To sweeten the filling and delicately balance the tartness of the fresh lemons, creating a harmonious flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Approximately ½ cup of vibrant, tart juice, typically yielded from 3-4 fresh lemons. Freshly squeezed is paramount for the best, most authentic lemon flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Adds an intense burst of lemon aroma and a deeper citrus flavor, making the pie truly pop. This is a crucial ingredient for enhancing the lemon’s brightness.
- Cornstarch: Our reliable thickening agent, ensuring the filling sets beautifully into a smooth, sliceable, pudding-like consistency.
- Egg Yolks: Provide essential richness, a beautiful golden color, and contribute significantly to the creamy texture and overall stability of the filling. Ensure they are lightly beaten for easy incorporation.
- Vanilla Almond Milk or Milk of Choice: Adds a subtle creaminess and helps achieve the desired liquid consistency for cooking. Feel free to use your preferred milk, whether dairy or non-dairy.
- Unsalted Butter (cubed): Incorporated at the very end to add a luscious, smooth finish and an extra layer of richness to the cooked filling, enhancing its velvety mouthfeel.
- Sour Cream: The star ingredient that provides the signature tangy flavor and incredibly smooth, creamy texture that makes this pie so unique and irresistible. It cuts through the sweetness and adds depth.
- Optional Garnish: Whipped cream and an additional ½ tablespoon of lemon zest for a beautiful and delicious topping, adding a decorative and flavorful touch.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Own Lemon Sour Cream Pie
Making this incredible pie is a straightforward process, divided into two main parts: preparing the crust and then the luscious filling. Follow these simple instructions for a perfect dessert every time, and you’ll be enjoying your homemade Lemon Sour Cream Pie in no time!
Creating the Flawless Graham Cracker Crust
The base of our pie is a simple yet sturdy graham cracker crust. It provides a delightful contrast to the creamy filling and requires no baking, making it quick and easy to prepare. A well-made crust is the first step to pie perfection.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Use a fork or your hands to mix these ingredients thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly moistened and resemble wet sand. This ensures the crust holds together well.
- Carefully pour the crumb mixture into an 8-inch or 9-inch springform pan or a standard pie pan. Using the back of a spoon or your fingertips, firmly press the mixture down onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan. This creates a compact and stable crust that won’t fall apart when sliced.
- Place the prepared crust in the freezer to chill while you proceed with making the filling. This step is crucial for helping the crust set and solidify, preventing it from crumbling when sliced and making it easier to handle.
Preparing the Velvety Lemon Sour Cream Filling
This lemon filling is exceptionally easy to prepare, requiring only about 10 minutes on the stovetop until it reaches a beautiful, pudding-like thickness. It’s the star of the show and the key to the pie’s luxurious texture and flavor.
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, fresh lemon zest, cornstarch, granulated sugar, lightly beaten egg yolks, and almond milk (or your milk of choice). Place the saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Continue whisking constantly to prevent lumps and ensure even cooking. Cook the mixture until it visibly thickens to a consistency similar to pudding. This typically takes about 8-10 minutes. Do not boil vigorously, as this can affect the texture of the egg yolks and potentially cause curdling.
- Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the cubed unsalted butter and whisk until it is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the lemon mixture. The butter adds richness and a silky texture, making the filling even more decadent.
- Allow the lemon mixture to cool slightly. Once it’s no longer piping hot (warm to the touch is fine), gently stir in the sour cream until it’s fully combined and the filling is smooth and uniform. Avoid adding sour cream to a very hot mixture, as it can cause the sour cream to curdle.
- Pour the cooled lemon sour cream filling into your chilled graham cracker pie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours before serving. This chilling time is absolutely essential for the pie to set completely, ensuring clean, perfect slices and a firm texture. For best results and optimal firmness, chilling overnight is highly recommended.
- Optional Garnish: Before serving, you can sprinkle an additional ½ tablespoon of lemon zest over the top of the pie filling for an extra burst of aroma and visual appeal. For individual slices, a dollop of fluffy homemade whipped cream adds a touch of elegance, a contrasting texture, and balances the tartness perfectly.
- Store any leftover pie in the refrigerator. It will remain delicious and maintain its quality for 3-4 days. Always keep it covered to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors.

Handy Substitutions and Recipe Variations
While this Lemon Sour Cream Pie recipe is perfect as written, you might want to explore a few substitutions to suit your dietary preferences or simply to try something new. Customizing your pie can be a fun way to make it truly your own!
- Alternative Crust: If you’re not a fan of graham cracker crusts or simply prefer a different texture, you can absolutely use a traditional pastry crust. Our easy homemade pie crust recipe is a fantastic choice that pairs wonderfully with the lemon filling, offering a more classic pie experience.
- Dairy Swaps: For a slightly different tang or a lighter option, plain Greek yogurt can be an excellent substitute for sour cream. It provides a similar creamy texture and a delightful tanginess that complements the lemon beautifully. Ensure it’s full-fat Greek yogurt for best results in consistency and richness.
- Topping Ideas: Beyond simple whipped cream and lemon zest, consider a light, toasted meringue topping for a classic look, fresh berries (like raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries) for added fruitiness, or even a sprinkle of toasted coconut for an unexpected tropical twist. A drizzle of raspberry coulis also adds beautiful color and flavor.

A Timeless Lemon Dessert to Cherish
Our Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a culinary experience that brings joy with every bite. Its delightful combination of zesty lemon and creamy sour cream makes it an instant classic, destined to become a year-round favorite in your household. It’s the perfect balance of refreshing tang and comforting sweetness, suitable for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant holiday celebrations. This pie epitomizes comfort and gourmet taste in one simple package.
Why This Pie Will Be Your Go-To Lemon Dessert:
- Unmatched Flavor: The bold, bright flavor of lemon is beautifully mellowed and enriched by the sour cream, creating a sophisticated and utterly delicious profile that is both invigorating and satisfying.
- Effortless Elegance: Despite its gourmet taste and appealing appearance, this pie is surprisingly simple to make, proving that extraordinary desserts don’t require complicated processes or extensive culinary skills.
- Versatility: Perfect for any season, it’s particularly refreshing on warm days and provides a bright, invigorating contrast to heavier meals during cooler months. Its adaptability makes it a welcome dessert year-round.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Consistently receiving rave reviews, this pie is sure to impress guests and satisfy even the most discerning palates. It’s a recipe you’ll be asked for again and again.
We encourage you to try this recipe and discover its magic for yourself. Share this delightful Lemon Sour Cream Pie with your friends and family, and don’t hesitate to experiment with your own personal touches! We’d absolutely love to hear about your experiences and any unique ways you’ve made this incredible pie your own. Enjoy the process of baking and, most importantly, enjoy every single delectable slice!
For more creamy, tangy treats, be sure to explore our other sour cream favorites, including our Yummy Sour Cream Banana Bars and our comforting Sour Cream Banana Bread!
Discover More Lemon Delights: Our Favorite Citrus-Inspired Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with the vibrant taste of lemon in this pie, you’re in for a treat! We have an abundance of other lemon-infused recipes that are equally irresistible. Dive into these delightful creations to satisfy all your citrus cravings and expand your lemon recipe repertoire:
- Lemon Layered Pudding Cheesecake Bars
- Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake Delight
- Lemon Blueberry Explosion Loaf
- Tangy Lemon Cream Cheese & White Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies
- Lemon Burst Poke Cake
- Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf
- Homemade Lemon Curd
- Easy No-Bake Lemon Pie Dessert
- 25 Slices of Summer Heavenly Desserts
- Homemade Lemon Brownies
Other Lemon Pies We Absolutely Adore!
While our Lemon Sour Cream Pie holds a special place in our hearts, there are many other fantastic lemon pie recipes worth exploring. Here are a few that have captured our attention and taste buds from around the web:
- Atlantic Beach Pie via Our State
- No-Bake Lemon Cloud Pie via Meals
- Lemon Blender Pie via The Blender Girl {Healthy Blender Recipes}
Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie!

By: Kim Lange
A perfect storm of sweet, tart, and tangy lemon flavor in this rich and creamy pie. An absolutely delightful dessert that’s easy to make and impossible to resist!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Refrigerate: 3 hrs
Course: Dessert
Servings: 8 Servings
Keywords: lemon, pie, sour cream, summer, easy pie, creamy lemon pie
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 2 cups Keebler Graham Cracker Crumbs
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Lemon Sour Cream Filling
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup lemon juice (from 3-4 lemons, freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
- ½ stick unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup sour cream (full-fat recommended)
- Optional: Whipped cream + ½ tablespoon lemon zest for topping
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar and mix with a fork until well combined and evenly moistened.
- Pour and firmly press the crumb mixture down into the bottom and up the sides of an 8″ or 9″ spring-form pan or pie pan.
- Chill in the freezer while preparing the filling; this helps the crust set.
Lemon Sour Cream Filling
- In a large saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, cornstarch, sugar, egg yolks, and almond milk. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove the mixture from the heat and immediately whisk in the cubed butter until it is completely melted and smoothly incorporated.
- Allow the lemon mixture to cool slightly (it should be warm, not hot). Gently stir in the sour cream until fully combined and the filling is smooth.
- Pour the cooled lemon sour cream filling into the chilled graham cracker pie crust.
- Cool in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours before serving. For best results and a firmer set, chill overnight.
- Optional: Before serving, add ½ tablespoon of lemon zest to the top of the pie filling and/or top individual pie slices with whipped cream.
- Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Freshness is Key: Always use fresh lemon juice and zest for the most vibrant and authentic lemon flavor. Bottled lemon juice often lacks the bright punch of fresh.
- Prevent Curdling: Ensure the lemon filling cools down to a warm temperature before stirring in the sour cream. Adding sour cream to a very hot mixture can cause it to curdle.
- Chilling is Crucial: Do not skip or rush the refrigeration step. It’s essential for the pie to set properly, resulting in clean, firm slices and an optimal creamy texture.
- Storage: Store any leftover pie covered in the refrigerator. It remains delicious for several days.
- Serving Temperature: This pie is best served chilled, directly from the refrigerator, for a refreshing dessert experience.
Tried This Recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how it turned out by commenting below and sharing your experience.
