How to Make a Cookie Crumb Crust

A Great Crust for Creamy Pies

Making a cookie crumb crust is thought by many to be easier than a regular pie crust—and with a more dependably good result. It's quick, requires just three ingredients, and needs no baking. Use it for cheesecake, lemon meringue pie, banana cream pie, chocolate pie, Key lime pie, or ice cream pies. Cookie crumb crusts are a variation on graham cracker crusts, which require a bit more butter to make the right consistency.

Use graham crackers, Oreos, lemon cookies, sugar cookies, gingersnaps, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies or shortbread. Any crispy cookie will work; the possibilities are endless. Use your imagination to make a totally original dessert with an interesting mix of cookie crumb crust and the filling and topping you choose.

Measure the Cookies

Measure 6 ounces of the kind of cookies that best complement your pie. For instance, if you are making a vanilla ice cream pie, Oreos would be a good choice. If you're making cheesecake, lemon or chocolate cookies would be equally delicious.

Bag up the Cookies

Place the cookies in a strong, resealable plastic bag. Press out the excess air.

Crush the Cookies

Use a rolling pin to crush the cookies in the bag. Feel free to take out a little aggression on the bag. You might even want to whack it a few times before you begin rolling.

Make Small Crumbs

Continue moving the rolling pin over the resealable bag until the cookies are in very small crumbs so they blend well and make the crust the right consistency.

Use Food Processor as Alternative to Rolling

Instead of using a resealable bag and a rolling pin to crush the cookies, you can use a food processor to grind up the cookies into fine crumbs.

Add Other Ingredients

Once the crumbs are the right size, it's time to make the crust. Place 1/4 cup melted butter, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 1 2/3 cup cookie crumbs in a large bowl.

Mix the Ingredients

Stir the cookie crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until they are completely combined.

Put the Crust Into a Pie Plate

Dump the mixture into a lightly greased glass pie plate.

Form the Crust

Pat the cookie crumb mixture into the pan. Push the crust mixture from the bottom and up the sides. This works best when using your hands.

Refrigerate the Crust

Refrigerate the cookie crumb crust until it's set. Then fill with your pie filling and top with whipped cream or meringue, as desired. This chocolate cookie crumb crust is perfect with chocolate silk pie, chocolate peanut butter pie, and chocolate mint cheesecake.