EASIEST, quick, and sturdy graham cracker crust with brown sugar. Has a rich, caramel - like flavor from the brown sugar and makes the crust for pie & cheesecake!
A homemade graham cracker crust with brown sugar creates a slightly richer, more flavorful base compared to white sugar versions, thanks to the molasses in brown sugar. This is my tried and true, go-to recipe that I've used forever. I switched from using white sugar to brown sugar years ago and haven't looked back!
Quick Look - Brown Sugar Graham Cracker Crust
- Ready In: 15 minutes
- Cook Level: beginner
- Taste: buttery, crisp, slightly caramelized
- Bake Time: 8-10 min (optional)
- Best for: cheesecakes, cream pies, no- bake desserts
Summarize & Save This Recipe On
I'm not going to reinvent the wheel here. Graham cracker crust with brown sugar is nothing fancy or complicated, it's just the way I make my crust and have for a long time. It's easy to adjust for deep dish pie dishes or make in a 9x13 pan too!
I've used it in my orange creamsicle pie recipe, my strawberry sour cream pie, and maaaany more over the years.
Jump to:
- Quick Look - Brown Sugar Graham Cracker Crust
- Summarize & Save This Recipe On
- 📝 Ingredient Notes
- ✏️ Easy Substitutions & Variations
- Need To Substitute an Ingredient?
- 🧑🍳 Instructions
- Tips For Success
- Should You Bake a Graham Cracker Crust?
- 📌 Troubleshooting
- ❄️ Make Ahead, Store, Reheating Tips
- ❓Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipes to Fill Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- 📝 Printable Recipe
- 💬 Comments
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Graham Crackers - you do NOT need name brand for this recipe. You can use gluten free too! Just make sure you have the correct weight in grams so the ratios are right.
- Sugar - I've used brown sugar as long as I can remember, it's just a slightly different, richer flavor than regular white sugar. You can use dark or light brown sugar. Alternate sugars include coconut sugar or maple sugar.
- Butter - SALTED ALWAYS for no bake graham cracker crust. It tastes MUCH better than unsalted.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✏️ Easy Substitutions & Variations
- Low Sugar - I've used a brown sugar substitute called "Swerve" that's a low sugar alternative.
- Gluten free - it's super easy to make brown sugar pie crust gluten free, just make sure you use certified gluten free graham crackers.
- Add crunch - rice crispies, finely chopped pecans or walnuts, or golden graham cereal work well!
- Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust - there are chocolate graham crackers too, and they're delicious in place of the regular.
- Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust - you can use cinnamon graham crackers or add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the mixture. Yum!
- Use Biscoff cookies, Oreos, or Belvita cookies (coconut is delicious) for a fun twist.
Need To Substitute an Ingredient?
Click the button below to ask AI how to alter it for your diet!
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Step 1. Crush your graham crackers to sand texture. You can put them in a large zip close bag and roll them with a rolling pin, or use a blender (easiest). Melt your butter covered in a bowl in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Step 2. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly so the butter coats all of the graham cracker crumbs.
- Step 3. Smooth into a 9 inch pie pan with a flat bottomed cup or bowl. You can use it to press the edges into place with your finger laying on top of the edge to make a smoother edge. Make sure to press them down until pretty firm.
- Step 4. You can either fill the pie shell now, or bake it at 350℉ for 10 minutes. Baking the graham cracker crust helps to firm it up. Just make sure you cool it completely before using it for a cold, no bake pie!(Pictured is orange cream pie)
Tips For Success
The crust will bind better with finer crumbs, it should be the texture of wet sand. A blender helps with this, or making sure you properly roll them.
Don't overdo the butter, make sure it's melted, not just softened.
If your crust is too crumbly, add 1-2 extra Tablespoons melted butter.
Should You Bake a Graham Cracker Crust?
When to Bake It
Cheesecakes, baked pies, bars
When You Can Skip Baking
No-bake pies, chilled desserts
How Baking Changes Texture
- Crisper, more crunch
- More stable/less crumbly
- Caramelized buttery flavor
📌 Troubleshooting
- Why is my crust falling apart?
- not enough butter or crumbs too large. Should be wet sand texture.
- Why is my crust soggy?
- not baked or wet filling in crust for too long, crust soaked up moisture.
❄️ Make Ahead, Store, Reheating Tips
- Super easy to make a day (or two) ahead, cool, and cover before using.
- Bake, cool, and freeze (I'd use a disposable pan) for up to 3 months.
- You can thaw for 2-3 hours, or fill it while it's still frozen.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
YES!
I use 17 sheets of graham crackers (270g), ¼ cup brown sugar (50g), and 8 Tablespoons of salted butter (113g).
Not enough butter or sugar.
Baked too long, too much sugar or butter.
Recipes to Fill Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Did You Try This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Make sure to leave a star rating and a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you, and it is so helpful to other readers! Better yet, share it with family and friends. Thank you!!
📝 Printable Recipe
Graham Cracker Crust with Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 11½ sheets graham crackers
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 7 Tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- Crush your graham crackers to sand texture. You can put them in a large zip close bag and roll them with a rolling pin, or use a blender (easiest). Melt your butter covered in a bowl in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.11½ sheets graham crackers
- Mix all ingredients together thoroughly so the butter coats all of the graham cracker crumbs.3 Tablespoons light brown sugar, 7 Tablespoons salted butter
- Smooth into a 9 inch pie pan with a flat bottomed cup or bowl. You can use it to press the edges into place with your finger laying on top of the edge to make a smoother edge. Make sure to press them down until pretty firm.
- You can either fill the pie shell now, or bake it at 350℉ for 10 minutes. Baking the graham cracker crust helps to firm it up. Just make sure you cool it completely before using it for a cold, no bake pie!
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.
Sara says
Love the deeper caramel flavor. Easy to bake and make a day ahead!