No-Bake Walnut Cream Pie

Rich and yet, so simple- this no-bake walnut cream pie is that easy dessert that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.  

The silky creaminess of the pudding and the whipped cream filled up inside a nice, buttery crumbly crust, complete with the crunchiness of walnuts is what makes this no-bake walnut cream pie such a success. 

It might seem like a lot of work, but in reality, it is actually super easy to put together. You will need just a handful of ingredients to make it, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it is all done. 

But before you get started with the recipe, here’s everything you need to know about it. 

Ingredients For the Recipe

You’ll need just 6 ingredients to put this creamy and delightful no-bake pie together. 

• 6 oz graham cracker crust
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup cold milk
• ½ cup vanilla pudding
• 2 ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 8 oz whipping topping

How to Make the No-Bake Walnut Cream Pie

Once you have all the ingredients ready, here’s what you need to do to make the pie. 

In a big bowl, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, milk, pudding mix, and 2 cups of walnuts. 

Mix well.

When all the ingredients are well combined add the whipped topping and mix again. 

When the mixture is ready, pour it into the graham cracker crust. 

Leave it in a fridge for at least two hours before you serve it. 

You can decorate it with walnut pieces on the top.

What Can I Use Instead of Condensed Milk?

The condensed milk is what lends this pie that nice sweetness and creaminess that you want it to have. If you don’t have it, you could create a nice caramel mixture on your own, using just a couple of ingredients, and then use it instead. 

Just combine heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan and let it reduce until the mixture turns thick and syrupy. You can then allow this to cool down and then use it for the recipe. 

What Other Variations Can I Try?

Looking to give this simple, classic recipe a different twist? Here are some other variations you can bring into the no-bake walnut cream pie by simply tweaking and playing around with some ingredients. 

Other nuts: While walnuts are the hero ingredient in this pie, you don’t necessarily have to stick to just that. You can also throw in some other chopped nuts of your preference- pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, almonds, and pecans are all excellent choices. Depending on the kind of nut you are using, you can opt for the roasted or candied variety. 

Other fillings: You can also experiment with the filling of the pie. If you love cheesecake, a simple cream cheese mixture could be great. You can also sneak in some cocoa powder into this pie mixture, or use chocolate-flavored pudding to make a nice chocolate walnut cream pie. 

Not sure about either of these? Use some whipped mascarpone cheese, which will also lend the pie a nice little tangy flavor. 

Other toppings: Don’t underestimate the power of a nice drizzle of caramel sauce or some fudge sauce or even some basic chocolate sauce on the top of this pie, right before you serve. It can really make your pie look extra elegant, and can lend it a nice contrast in flavor too. 

If you’re making this dessert during the fall, you can also add a layer of mini or regular marshmallows on the top and blow torch them. Even better- just use some good old marshmallow fluff! 

How to Store the Pie

Your leftover no-bake walnut cream pie can stay good in the refrigerator for up to  4 days. Always remember to use an airtight container to store the pie to preserve its freshness. 

Tips & Tricks to Nail the No-Bake Walnut Cream Pie

The recipe is super easy, but don’t forget to keep these little tips and hacks in mind to nail the recipe. 

• The beauty of no-bake pie recipes is the fact that they are super easy to work with. It is, however, important to remember that no-bake pies need a decent amount of time in the refrigerator to set well, and to hold their shape when they are being sliced and served. Ideally, this and practically any other no-bake pie you’re making needs to be refrigerated for 8-12 hours. 
• If you’re making this no-bake walnut cream pie on short notice and you can’t give it the refrigeration time it needs, you can pop the pie in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to allow it to firm up. 
• To cut out perfect slices of the pie, you can use a sharp knife that has been chilled in the freezer for a few minutes. Also, remember to clean the knife with a damp cloth every time you use it. 
• Don’t forget to add a little sea salt or regular salt into the mixture to balance out the sweetness of the pie, and to enhance the flavor even more. 
• If you have a few extra minutes, you can also toast the walnuts in a pan, and then use them for the recipe. It can really make a huge difference in the way your no-bake walnut cream pie tastes and smells. 

Whipped cream is the classic pie topping that you can never go wrong with, but if you really want to take it up a notch, you can also sprinkle some cocoa powder or cinnamon powder on the top to make it look fancier. 

Another cool idea is to serve the pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. 

Loved making this delicious no-bake walnut cream pie? Looking for some more fun and interesting recipes to try out? Here are a few you might want to check out. 

• No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
• No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe
• No-Bake Italian Cream Cake Recipe