Easy Ice Cream Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

There's nothing quite like an Ice Cream Pie on a hot summer day. Cold, creamy, and wonderfully easy, this make-ahead dessert combines your favorite ice cream with a buttery graham cracker crust and plenty of chocolate, nuts, or toppings you love.

This version is inspired by a classic ice cream sundae, with vanilla ice cream, chopped chocolate candy, and crunchy nuts tucked into every slice. Top it with whipped cream and chocolate sauce for an easy summer dessert that feels both nostalgic and special.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

An Ice Cream Pie That Tastes Like Summer

I feel nostalgic whenever I make an ice cream pie. It brings back childhood summers spent at my grandmother's house in rural Washington.

We lived in Los Angeles, but summer at Grandma's felt different. The days seemed hotter, brighter, dustier-and somehow much longer. My sister and I climbed trees, built forts, chased grasshoppers, and spent every possible hour outside with our cousins.

At the back of the house was a pantry lined with narrow shelves filled with colorful jars of fruits, vegetables, jams, and preserves. But the true treasure was the enormous deep freezer, stocked with ice cream in every imaginable shape and flavor-especially Neapolitan.

After dinner, once the dishes were put away, Grandma and I would lift its heavy lid. I loved the ice cream, but I almost loved that wonderful blast of cold air just as much.

Later, we would sit on the back porch near the squeaky screen door, listening to crickets and Grandpa's wind chimes. Some evenings brought sundaes or banana splits; others, ice cream pie or a simple bowl of Neapolitan stirred until it was almost a milkshake.

This easy ice cream pie brings those glorious summer evenings back-and reminds me how something so simple can become a tradition.

Ingredients You'll Need

You'll find the complete ingredient measurements in the recipe card below, but here is a quick look at what you'll need.

• Graham cracker crust: Graham cracker crumbs and melted butter create a crisp, buttery base that holds its shape when the frozen pie is sliced. Baking the crust briefly helps it set and gives it the most reliable texture.
• Ice cream: Vanilla ice cream makes a versatile base, but chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, coffee, or Neapolitan would also be delicious.
• Chocolate candy: Roughly chopped chocolate or chocolate-covered candy adds texture and turns the pie into an ice cream sundae-inspired dessert.
• Nuts: Finely chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts provide a little crunch. They can easily be omitted for a nut-free pie.
• Toppings: Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, fudge sauce, sprinkles, or fresh berries make the pie especially festive.

How to Make An Easy Ice Cream Pie

This frozen dessert comes together in three simple stages: prepare the crust, add the ice cream filling, and freeze.

1. Make the Graham Cracker Crust

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Crush the graham crackers in a food processor or place them in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Stir the crumbs together with the melted butter, then firmly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate.
3. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the crust is lightly set and fragrant. Let it cool completely before adding the ice cream.

No-bake option: For an especially quick shortcut, you can use a prepared graham cracker crust, although the homemade crust has the best flavor and texture.

2. Add the Ice Cream Filling

Let the ice cream soften at room temperature until it is easy to scoop and stir but not melted.

Transfer it to a large bowl and gently fold in the chopped chocolate candy and nuts with a rubber spatula. Spoon the mixture into the cooled crust and smooth the top.

3. Freeze Until Firm

Cover the pie and freeze for at least 2 hours, or until the filling is completely firm.

For the cleanest slices, let the frozen pie stand at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.

Easy Ice Cream Pie Variations

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can make it your own.

• Chocolate lovers' pie: Use chocolate ice cream and fold in chopped chocolate cookies or brownie pieces.
• Strawberry pie: Fill the crust with strawberry ice cream and garnish with fresh strawberries.
• Mint chocolate chip pie: Add chocolate cookie crumbs or chopped chocolate candy to mint ice cream.
• Neapolitan pie: Layer softened chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream in the crust.
• Peanut butter chocolate pie: Use chocolate ice cream with chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts.
• Berry ice cream pie: Fold fresh or frozen berries into vanilla ice cream and top with additional fruit.
• Sprinkle pie: Mix colorful sprinkles into vanilla ice cream for birthdays and summer celebrations.

Serving Ice Cream Pie

Just before serving, garnish the pie with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, sprinkles, or fresh mint.

A drizzle of hot fudge sauce is especially delicious. You can also serve each slice with this simple homemade chocolate sauce for a classic ice cream sundae finish.

Because the pie is frozen, it is best to add whipped cream and warm sauces immediately before serving.

Making It Ahead and Storing

Ice cream pie is an ideal make-ahead summer dessert. Once the graham cracker crust is baked and cooled, the pie is filled and returned to the freezer until firm.

Assemble it at least 2 hours before serving, or prepare it a day or two in advance.

More Frozen Summer Desserts

For more cool and easy summer treats, try these reader favorites:

• No-Churn Peanut Butter Chocolate Ice Cream
• No-Bake Icebox Cake with Summer Berries
• 10-Minute No-Bake Cheesecake
• No-Bake 3-Ingredient Chocolate Pie
• Summer Berry No-Churn Ice Cream
• Honey Lavender Ice Cream
• No-Churn Chocolate Ice Cream

Make summer last-one cold, creamy slice at a time.