This is a light and flavorful easy no bake lemon pie. No baking translates to an effortless, yet gorgeous dessert that is loaded with beautiful berries.

With a simple shortbread cookie crust and decadent mascarpone lemon filling, this no bake lemon pie feels special enough for guests. However, it’s simple enough for any night of the week!

no bake lemon pie topped with berries
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I’m getting into the spirit of summer with this easy no bake lemon pie recipe! It’s filled with a light lemon cream in my favorite no bake shortbread crust for a true taste of summer.

Temperatures are already reaching 90+ degrees, which means I’m feeling less inclined to turn the oven on and more inclined to spend precious time outdoors with the girls at the pool, lake and tennis.

pie dish filled with lemon creme and berries

This lemon pie is the perfect solution to enjoying the outdoors without heating things up indoors! It takes just 10 minutes to make, including the crust, allowing you to spend more time doing the things you enjoy!

With several get togethers ahead this Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to get a head start with easy make and take recipes. I made two of these lemon pies – we enjoyed one immediately and froze the second which frosts the berries so beautifully!

fruit pie in white pie dish

Lemon Pie Ingredients

My Lemon Pie recipe uses heavy cream, mascarpone cheese to give it a creamy texture and not too sweet flavor, powdered sugar and lemon juice.

  • Heavy Cream – Gives this no bake pie a luxuriously creamy texture.
  • Mascarpone Cheese – This creamy Italian cheese is perfectly rich and delightful here. Sub with cream cheese if necessary. Note: grocers tend to place mascarpone cheese in different departments. It’s often with cheeses, but sometimes with cream cheese, but your store will almost certainly have it somewhere!
  • Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the pie to perfection. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can pulse white granulated sugar in a food processor until light and fluffy.
  • Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed lemon adds bright flavor to this delicious pie! Substitute 100% Real Lemon Juice (found in the produce section of your grocery) if needed.

Crust

  • Shortbread Cookies – Use homemade or your favorite brand.
  • Butter – I prefer using salted butter for this recipe, but you can also use unsalted.
  • Sugar – A blend of brown sugar and white sugar sweetens this crust to perfection.

Optional Topping

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries

Variations

lemon pie with fruit sitting by window

Tips from My Test Kitchen

Bring mascarpone to room temperature for a silky consistency.

Do not over mix. Once stiff peak form, it’s ready.

A no bake lemon pie in a white baking dish topped with fresh berries

Frequently Asked Questions

What is difference between mascarpone and cream cheese?

Cream cheese is firmer, with a more acidic and more acidic bite. Mascarpone is velvety has a higher fat content, making it even richer than cream cheese.

What can I substitute for mascarpone cheese in a recipe?

You can easily substitute the mascarpone in this recipe with cream cheese.

How to Store

  • At Room Temperature – For up to two hours while serving.
  • Refrigerate – This no bake lemon pie can be made up to 48 hours in advance, and stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freeze – While this lemon pie can be frozen for up to three months and defrosted in the refrigerator, I recommend serving it freshly made!

More Lemon Desserts

lemon recipes
A no bake lemon pie in a white pie dish, topped with fresh berries
5 from 8 votes

Lemon Pie

Light and flavorful easy Lemon Pie, that’s no fuss, not bake and loaded with beautiful berries.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients  

Crust

  • 10 ounces shortbread cookies
  • 6 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar

Lemon Pie Filling

  • 1 cup heavy cream cold
  • 8 ounces mascarpone cheese softeneed
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice juice of approximately 1 lemon

Optional Fruit Topping

  • ½ cup strawberries sliced
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • ½ cup raspberries

Instructions 

Pie Crust

  • In a food processor (or bag with a mallet), crush shortbread cookies until smooth.
    A small food processor filled with shortbread crust ingredients
  • Add butter and sugars and combine in processor (or in a bowl with a spoon). Pour into greased pie dish and press into dish using the bottom of a measuring cup. Refrigerate 10+ minutes.
    Ingredients for a no bake shortbread crust in a white ruffled ceramic pie dish

Pie Filling

  • In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip heavy cream on low, gradually increasing speed to max until a stiff peak forms.
  • On low speed, add 1 tablespoon powdered sugar at a time until just combined.
  • On low speed, add lemon juice and mascarpone until well combined.
  • Spoon mixture into crust and top with fruit. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.

Julie’s Tips

Substitutions

  • Butter – Salted is preferred, but you can use unsalted butter.
  • Sugar – Use all white or all brown sugar for the crust if a substitute it needed.
  • Cookies – You can substitute sugar cookies or speculoos cookies.
  • Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the pie to perfection. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can pulse white granulated sugar in a food processor until light and fluffy.
  • Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed lemon adds bright flavor to this delicious pie! Substitute 100% Real Lemon Juice if needed.
Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 844IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This pie is a dream! So light and the perfect flavors. Add the fresh berries. It’s an amazing combo!

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and appreciate you taking the time to rate. Hope you have a wonderful week!