Having at least one no-bake dessert recipe in your back pocket is essential for anyone who entertains on the regular, and this Millionaire Pie is a great one. The duality of the crumbly crust and the creamy texture of the pie filling is impossible to resist—especially on hot summer days!
Best of all, this easy pie recipe requires only a handful of simple ingredients, some of which may already be in your pantry already. The method couldn’t be simpler, either—simply stir together the filling, pour it into a prepared crust, and toss it in the fridge. This million-dollar pie recipe is foolproof! For more no-bake dessert recipes, check out my chocolate peanut butter pie, strawberry pretzel salad, and ambrosia salad next.
Ingredients
Canned crushed pineapple — if you only have pineapple chunks, drain and pulse them briefly in a food processor until you reach the proper consistency. (It should still have a bit of texture but no large pieces.)
Sweetened condensed milk — this sweet, syrupy dairy product is made by simmering milk and sugar until it becomes deliciously thick.
Pecans — adding crunchy pecans to the filling gives this pie some textural interest. Make sure to toast and cool them first for the most intense flavor. Try one of my easy ways to toast pecans!
Lemon juice — stirring acid into condensed milk helps it set, just like the filling of a key lime pie. If possible, opt for fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
Whipped topping — the most popular brand is Cool Whip, but feel free to use any variety you prefer.
Graham cracker crust — my easy homemade graham cracker crust requires just graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Feel free to use a store-bought for convenience.
How To Make Millionaire Pie
1. In a large bowl, combine the drained pineapple and sweetened condensed milk.
2. Add the pecans and lemon juice.
3. Stir well to combine.
4. Fold in the whipped topping.
5. Transfer the filling to the graham cracker crust.
6. Spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours up to 24 hours before serving.
7. Garnish the chilled pie with more chopped pecans, then pipe on extra whipped topping around the border.
8. Decorate with Maraschino cherries, if you like.
Recipe Variations
- Use homemade whipped cream: If you prefer to avoid artificial ingredients, you’re welcome to swap in freshly whipped cream in place of the tub of frozen whipped topping. Start with 1 cup of heavy cream to yield 2 cups of whipped cream. Beat with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until medium to stiff peaks form.
- Add coconut: Some Million Dollar pie recipes call for sweetened coconut shreds for a lovely tropical twist. For even more flavor and a crave-worthy consistency, add toasted coconut!
- Nut-free: If you can’t have nuts, swap in chopped maraschino cherries in place of the pecans.
Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! In fact, you want to make it at least 4 hours in advance in order to give the creamy filling plenty of time to set up. It is best served within 24 hours of being assembled, though.
How To Store Leftovers
Leftover no-bake Million Dollar pie should keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure to wrap it well with plastic wrap to prevent it from taking on any strong fridge flavors.
Pro Tips For Making This Recipe
- Drain the pineapple very well. Otherwise, the filling can become too watery to set up. To drain, place the pineapple in a fine mesh strainer (preferably over a bowl). Use a silicone or rubber spatula to press down on the pineapple to push out as much juice as possible. Stir the pineapple and continue to press it through the strainer several times until almost only a small amount of juice comes out when pressed.
- Don’t waste the pineapple juice you drain off! It’s perfect for whipping up a French martini, zombie cocktail, or piña colada. Cheers!
- Be gentle when folding in the whipped topping or whipped cream. You don’t want to deflate it, or the pie filling won’t be fluffy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can freeze it for up to 3 months. Make sure to wrap it well in several layers of plastic wrap and foil to ward off freezer burn. When you’re ready to serve it, allow it to defrost overnight in the fridge.
It’s possible that you didn’t drain the pineapple well enough, so the filling has too much liquid. It also needs ample time to set in the fridge, so cutting it too soon can make the filling too soft to hold up to slicing. Or, you may have over-mixed the filling rather than folding in the whipped topping, causing it to lose its structure.
Yes! Stemmed and chopped Maraschino cherries, chopped strawberries, diced mango, or other canned (well-drained) fruit like mandarin orange slices or fruit cocktail are all great choices. Just make sure the pieces of whatever fruit you add are small enough so they are well-dispersed.
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Millionaire Pie recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Millionaire Pie Recipe
Equipment
- 9-inch pie plate
Ingredients
- 1 (20-ounce/567g) can crushed pineapple well drained (see note)
- 1 (14-ounces/396g) sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup pecans toasted and chopped (90g)
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cups whipped topping or Cool Whip thawed (150g)
- 1 graham cracker crust store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the drained pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, pecans, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Transfer the filling to the graham cracker crust and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours up to 24 hours before serving.
- Garnish with more whipped topping, chopped pecans, and Maraschino cherries, if you like.
Notes
- Drain the pineapple very well. Otherwise, the filling can become too watery to set up. To drain, place the pineapple in a fine mesh strainer (preferably over a bowl). Use a silicone or rubber spatula to press down on the pineapple to push out as much juice as possible. Stir the pineapple and continue to press it through the strainer several times until almost only a small amount of juice comes out when pressed.
- Don’t waste the pineapple juice you drain off! It’s perfect for whipping up a French martini, zombie cocktail, or piña colada. Cheers!
- Be gentle when folding in the whipped topping or whipped cream. You don’t want to deflate it, or the pie filling won’t be fluffy.
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