American Cool Whip Pie

Celebrate the Red, White and Blue with this delicious, no-bake Cool Whip Pie! Cream cheese, pudding mix, and Cool Whip are folded together for the easiest dessert that's so delicious. Topped with berries in a star shape that's perfect to celebrate July 4th!

You won't be singing "Bye Bye, Miss American Pie" with this recipe! You'll be saying "HELLO DELICIOUS!" There's something quintessentially American about a beautiful pie, bursting with fresh flavors and topped with whipped cream. This is my go-to 4th of July pie!

This no-bake recipe combines the creaminess of cheesecake pudding and cream cheese with the sweetness of fresh berries, all nestled in a convenient pre-made crunchy graham cracker crust for a delightful dessert that’s both easy and irresistible.

Whether you're celebrating a patriotic holiday or simply craving a sweet treat, this American Pie recipe is sure to be a hit. Looking for another patriotic dessert? Be sure to check out my 4th of July Cookie Cake.

Laura Ashley's Tip: We use cream cheese pudding mix for this pie recipe, but feel free to use any flavor you like. Lemon, vanilla, or white chocolate would also be delicious!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Elegance: With simple ingredients like a pre-made crust and instant cheesecake pudding mix, strawberry Cool Whip pie is an easy recipe to prepare yet looks impressive.
• No Bake Dessert: Cool Whip Pie is perfect in those hot summer months when you don't want to heat up the house! 
• Creamy and Fruity: The combination of cream cheese, evaporated milk, and fresh strawberries and blueberries creates a luscious, perfect balance of flavors!
• Versatile: It's the perfect dessert for summer family gatherings, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Fourth of July celebrations, or as a sweet ending to any meal. It's also a great make-ahead dessert option making it easier for entertaining.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Evaporated Milk: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the filling without the heaviness of regular cream.
• Cheesecake Instant Pudding Mix: This is the magic ingredient that provides a quick and easy cheesecake flavor, setting up to create a firm yet creamy filling.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy, creamy base that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the fruit.
• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries bring a burst of sweetness to the filling and a lovely red color on top.
• Pre-Made Graham Cracker Pie Crust: Saves time and effort, providing a crisp base ready to hold all the delicious fillings.
• Whipped Cream: Light and fluffy, it adds an airy sweetness that complements the creamy filling and accents the blueberry star on top.
• Blueberries: These little gems create the star on top. They add a pop of color and a sweet-tart contrast.

Tools You'll Need

• Piping Bag and Tips or Plastic Bag
• Hand Mixer 
• Cutting Board
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowls
• Pie Server

How to Make this Cool Whip Pie

1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk or blend together with an electric mixer evaporated milk and pudding mix for 1 minute. Set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. 

3. Blend the mashed strawberries into the cream cheese with the electric mixer.

4. Add the reserved pudding mixture to the cream cheese mixture, and blend again.

4. Fold in half of the Cool Whip into the filling. 
5. Pour the filing into the pie crust and spread evenly. 

7. Garnish the top of the pie with strawberries, blueberries, and remaining Cool Whip as desired. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

HOMEMADE PIE CRUST ALTERNATIVES

Instead of a premade crust, you can experiment with different crusts such as a chocolate cookie crust, Oreo cookie crust, or shortbread crust to add your own twist to the recipe. Here are some homemade options:

• For a homemade graham cracker crust, simply mix together 1 ½ cups graham cracker fine crumbs (processed in a food processor) and 6 tablespoons melted butter in a medium bowl. Press evenly on the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350°F for 10-14 minutes or until gold brown, then cool completely.
• For a pecan cookie crust, simply mix together ¾ cup all purpose flour, ½ cup finely chopped pecans and 6 tablespoons melted butter in a medium bowl. Press evenly on the bottom of your pie pan. Bake at 350°F for 14-18 minutes or until golden brown, then cool completely.
• For a gluten-free crust, follow the homemade graham cracker crust option as noted above using gluten-free graham crackers or chocolate cookies or a gluten-free all-purpose flour alternative.

Recipe Tip: Be sure that your Cool Whip is thawed and cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to ensure the right texture in the pie.

Tips and Substitutions

• Thawing Cool Whip: Cool Whip is sold frozen and will need to be defrosted before making the pie.
  • The two methods of thawing I recommend are in the refrigerator or in cold water. Thawing in the refrigerator will take about 5 hours. For the second way, place the Cool Whip tub in a bowl filled with cold water and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes.
• Cool Whip Substitute: Fresh whipped cream can be used instead of Cool Whip.
  • To make homemade whipped cream, in a large bowl on high speed, blend together 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream or heavy cream, ¼ cup powered sugar, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, about 1-2 minutes.
• Pudding Options: You can substitute cheesecake pudding mix with vanilla pudding, white chocolate, or banana pudding mix if you prefer. Keep in mind that it will alter the flavor slightly.
• Make It Vegan: To make a vegan version of American Pie, use dairy-free whipped topping and yogurt alternatives made from coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Ensure that the graham cracker crust is also vegan-friendly by checking the ingredients list for any animal-derived products.
• Lighter Options: Light cream cheese and whipped cream works in this pie. The texture will be slightly softer.
• Cream Cheese Blending: Ensure you use room temperature cream cheese for easier blending.
• Optional Garnishes: Blackberries, raspberries and starfruit can also be used to garnish this pie.

Storage

This American pie recipe will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container. However, for the best results, it's recommended to consume it within 1-2 days.

While Cool Whip Pie can technically be frozen, the texture of the filling and berries will change slightly upon thawing. It's best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for optimal taste and texture.

More Must Make Pie Recipes

• Frozen Yogurt Pie
• Banana Split Pie
• Summertime Lemon Cream Pie
• Coconut Meringue Pie

Frequently Asked Questions