Why You’ll Love This Recipe
No-Bake Passion Fruit Lush Pie is a tropical, creamy dessert that combines a crisp crust, velvety layers of cream, and the bright, tangy flavor of passion fruit. Its no-bake nature makes it perfect for warm days or when you want a show-stopping dessert without heating up the kitchen. Each bite delivers a balance of sweetness and tartness, with a luscious, airy texture that melts in your mouth. This pie is both elegant and simple, making it ideal for gatherings, special occasions, or a delightful treat for yourself.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive biscuits, crushed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Cream Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
For the Passion Fruit Topping:
- 1 cup passion fruit pulp (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Optional Garnish:
- Whipped cream
- Passion fruit seeds
- Fresh mint leaves
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until evenly coated.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.
- Make the Cream Layer:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
- Spread the cream layer evenly over the chilled crust. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
- Prepare the Passion Fruit Topping:
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
- Stir in passion fruit pulp and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
- Pour the passion fruit mixture over the set cream layer in the pie. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the assembled pie for at least 1-2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream, passion fruit seeds, or fresh mint leaves if desired. Slice and enjoy chilled.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8
- Total time: 3 hours
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Chill time: 2 1/2 hours
Variations
- Mixed Fruit Lush: Add a layer of sliced mango, kiwi, or berries along with the passion fruit topping.
- Coconut Twist: Mix shredded coconut into the crust or sprinkle on top for added flavor.
- Tart Version: Reduce sugar in the topping for a more tangy, refreshing taste.
- Mini Pies: Make individual servings in small jars or tart pans for easy portion control.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep the pie refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended as the cream layer may change texture when thawed.
- Reheating: Serve chilled; this is a no-bake cold dessert.
FAQs
1. Can I use canned passion fruit pulp?
Yes, canned pulp works perfectly; just ensure it’s drained of excess liquid if very watery.
2. Can I make this pie ahead of time?
Yes, assemble up to a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Can I use a different crust?
Yes, crushed cookies, pretzels, or digestive biscuits can be used as alternatives.
4. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use a plant-based cream cheese and coconut cream in place of heavy cream.
5. How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?
Chill the crust well before adding the cream layer and ensure the topping is cooled before pouring over.
6. Can I add gelatin to the cream layer?
Yes, adding a small amount of gelatin will help stabilize the cream if needed.
7. Can I make individual servings?
Yes, use small jars, ramekins, or mini tart pans to create personal portions.
8. Can I use frozen passion fruit pulp?
Yes, thaw completely and drain any excess liquid before using.
9. Can I make a sugar-free version?
Yes, substitute sugar with a sugar alternative suitable for desserts.
10. Can I mix other tropical fruits with passion fruit?
Absolutely, mango, pineapple, or kiwi pair well with passion fruit and add extra flavor and color.
Conclusion
No-Bake Passion Fruit Lush Pie is a tropical, refreshing dessert that’s easy to make yet impressive in flavor and presentation. With a crunchy crust, creamy filling, and bright, tangy passion fruit topping, it’s a perfect choice for summer gatherings, special occasions, or any time you crave a light, luscious dessert. Quick, no-bake, and utterly delicious, this pie is sure to become a favorite in your dessert collection.
Print
No-Bake Passion Fruit Lush Pie
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
No-Bake Passion Fruit Lush Pie is a tropical, creamy dessert with a buttery graham cracker crust, a tangy passion fruit layer, and a light whipped topping. This refreshing pie is perfect for summer and requires no oven time.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup passion fruit juice or concentrate
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for whipped cream)
- Fresh passion fruit pulp or seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter until well combined. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Chill for 30 minutes.
- In another bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add passion fruit juice and mix until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Fold half of the whipped cream into the passion fruit mixture until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the passion fruit layer evenly over the chilled crust. Top with the remaining whipped cream.
- Chill the pie for at least 4 hours or until set.
- Garnish with fresh passion fruit pulp or seeds before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Use passion fruit concentrate for stronger flavor if fresh juice is unavailable.
- For a firmer crust, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 8 minutes, but it’s not necessary.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- You can also use a store-bought graham cracker crust for convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg