If you’re looking to elevate your dessert game, look no further than this delightful Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust. Perfect for all sorts of sweet creations—like layered pudding parfaits, icebox cakes, and classic cream pies—this versatile crust is a must-have in your recipe arsenal. Adding a hint of cinnamon gives it a unique twist, making it a refreshing change from the usual plain graham cracker crust. But don’t worry, if cinnamon isn’t your jam, you can easily stick with regular graham crackers.

This easy-to-make crust is fantastic for those bustling weeknights when you need a quick yet impressive dessert. Prepare the crust ahead of time, fill it with your favorite pudding, fresh fruits, ice cream, or whatever tickles your fancy, and you’ll always be ready for a sweet treat whenever the mood strikes!

Let’s dive into this recipe, and afterward, I’ll share some creative filling ideas you can try.

Ingredients

• 12 cinnamon graham crackers (about 1 1/2 cups) crushed into fine crumbs
• 6 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted)
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of sugar for added flavor

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you choose to bake the crust.

2. Prepare the pie dish

   Lightly coat a 9 or 10-inch pie dish with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.

3. Create the crumb mixture

   In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed cinnamon graham crackers with melted butter. The mixture should resemble coarse sand.

4. Press the mixture into the dish

   Firmly press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pie dish.

5. Fill the crust

   If you’re using a baked crust, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. If you prefer a no-bake version, simply fill the crust with your chosen pudding or fruits and refrigerate until set.

6. Serve

   Top with whipped cream before serving, if desired.

Pie Fillings and Other Crust Tips

For a quick and easy filling, consider using instant pudding flavors available at your local grocery store. If you prefer a homemade touch, whip up a vanilla cooked pudding for an old-fashioned flavor. There are countless pudding flavors to experiment with, from classic vanilla or chocolate to fun variations like coconut.

You can also get creative with the crust! Substitute in chocolate cookie crumbs, pretzel crusts, or even store-bought cookies to mix things up. Don’t forget about fruity combinations, which can enhance the flavor profile of your crust.

Shopping List for Your Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust

• Filling Suggestions: instant vanilla pudding, cooked vanilla pudding, or your favorite pudding flavor
• Topping Suggestions: sweetened whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or whipped topping
• Crust Base: cinnamon or plain graham crackers, chocolate cookie crumbs, vanilla wafer cookies, or pretzels
• Butter: the choice is yours—use either salted or unsalted butter
• Optional Garnishes: strawberry sauce, toasted coconut, slivered almonds, candy bar bits, or colorful sprinkles

Filling Suggestions for Your Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust

1. Peach and vanilla pudding
2. Cherries or strawberries with chocolate pudding
3. Mango paired with vanilla or coconut pudding
4. Banana and vanilla pudding
5. Pineapple and vanilla pudding
6. A mix of coconut, diced mango, and pineapple
7. Blueberries with vanilla pudding
8. Chocolate pudding
9. Vanilla pudding layered with Peanut Butter Cups
10. Fresh lemon pudding

Pudding and Fruits That Pair Well

1. Diced mango (make sure to blot dry)
2. Chopped Bing cherries (pits removed)
3. Fresh raspberries or blackberries
4. Finely diced apples
5. Diced peaches (pits removed)
6. Diced pears
7. Diced apricots (pits removed)
8. Blotted dry chunks of fresh pineapple

Easy Dessert Ideas Featuring Your Crust

• Use fancy glasses to create eye-catching parfaits by layering pudding and crust.
• Layer your pudding and crumbs in a trifle bowl for a stunning dessert. No crumbling required!
• Fill a glass baking dish with layers of pudding and crumbles to whip up icebox pudding cakes.