Graham Cracker Desserts: 16 No-Bake Holiday Treats, and the Strict Preacher Behind the Cracker

Graham cracker desserts are the secret weapon of busy holiday cooks. No oven, a few cheap ingredients and a night in the fridge turn a box of crackers into icebox cakes, creamy pies and bars that look like you fussed for hours. A mango graham float video alone has passed 6.7 million views. But here is a twist most people never hear: the cracker is named after a 19th century preacher who wanted Americans to eat plain, simple food. He would hardly recognize the sweet treats we stack on his namesake today. Below are the best no-bake ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and his story at the end..

Graham Cracker Desserts and the Man Behind the Name

The cracker behind your favorite no-bake holiday desserts is named after Sylvester Graham, a minister who preached about plain, simple eating in the 1830s. He would be surprised by the cream, chocolate and pumpkin layers we pile on today. Start with this classic icebox cake, the easiest dessert on the list. Have you ever made one..

You will need: 1 box (about 14 oz) graham crackers, 2 boxes (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding, 3 cups cold milk, 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping or 2 cups whipped cream, chocolate syrup.

How to make it: 1. Whisk the pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes and let it set 5 minutes. 2. Fold in half the whipped topping. 3. Line a 9×13 pan with graham crackers. 4. Spread a layer of pudding cream. 5. Repeat to make 3 layers and top with the rest of the whipped topping. 6. Drizzle with syrup and chill at least 6 hours.

Chocolate Eclair Cake, the Classic of All Graham Cracker Desserts

This church potluck favorite tastes like a chocolate eclair, but it is just graham crackers, vanilla pudding and a chocolate topping. The crackers soften overnight into a cake like layer. Make it the day before a holiday party. Is this on your family’s dessert table every year?

You will need: 1 box graham crackers, 2 boxes (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, 3 cups cold milk, 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping thawed, 1 cup chocolate frosting.

How to make it: 1. Whisk pudding and milk for 2 minutes, then fold in the whipped topping. 2. Line a 9×13 dish with graham crackers. 3. Spread half the pudding cream on top. 4. Add another layer of crackers and the rest of the cream. 5. Finish with crackers. 6. Warm the frosting for 15 seconds, spread it over the top and chill overnight.

Pumpkin Icebox Cake, the Thanksgiving Star of Graham Cracker Desserts

Short on oven space on Thanksgiving? This no-bake pumpkin cake lives in the fridge. Pumpkin puree, cream cheese and pumpkin pie spice make a fluffy filling that layers with graham crackers. It slices like a cake by the next day. Would your family pick this over pumpkin pie?

You will need: 1 box graham crackers, 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 cups heavy cream whipped, cinnamon.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and vanilla until smooth. 2. Fold in two thirds of the whipped cream. 3. Layer graham crackers and pumpkin cream in a 9×13 dish, 3 layers. 4. Top with the rest of the whipped cream. 5. Dust with cinnamon. 6. Chill at least 8 hours.

Mango Graham Float

Mango float is a Filipino Christmas favorite and one of the most watched graham cracker desserts online, with more than 6.7 million views on one video. Ripe mango slices, sweetened cream and graham crackers are layered and chilled until they turn soft and creamy. It is bright, fresh and very easy. Have you ever tried it?

You will need: 1 box graham crackers, 3 to 4 ripe mangoes thinly sliced, 2 cups heavy cream, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, crushed graham crackers for the top.

How to make it: 1. Whip the cream until soft peaks form. 2. Fold in the condensed milk. 3. Layer graham crackers in a square dish. 4. Spread a layer of cream and add mango slices. 5. Repeat 3 times, ending with cream and mango. 6. Sprinkle with crushed crackers and chill overnight.

How to Make a Graham Cracker Crust

A homemade graham cracker crust is the base for half the graham cracker desserts on this list, and it takes 10 minutes. Crush the crackers fine, mix with melted butter and a little sugar, and press it firmly into the pan. Use a measuring cup to press it flat. Baked or no-bake: which crust do you like?

You will need: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 11 full sheets), 1/3 cup sugar, 6 tbsp melted butter, pinch of salt.

How to make it: 1. Crush the crackers into fine crumbs in a food processor or zip bag. 2. Stir in sugar and salt. 3. Add the butter and mix until it looks like wet sand. 4. Press firmly into a 9 inch pie plate. 5. Chill 1 hour for no-bake pies. 6. Or bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes for extra crunch.

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

This pie gives you the flavor of pumpkin cheesecake without the water bath or the cracking worry. Beat cream cheese with pumpkin and spice, fold in whipped cream, and spoon it into a graham crust. It sets in the fridge overnight. Whipped cream on top or plain?

You will need: 1 graham cracker crust, 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup heavy cream whipped.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese until smooth. 2. Beat in pumpkin, sugar, spice and vanilla. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Spread into the crust. 5. Chill at least 6 hours. 6. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Peppermint Icebox Cake for Christmas

Chocolate graham crackers and pink peppermint whipped cream make an icebox cake that looks like Christmas. Crushed candy canes on top add crunch and color. It is a fun one to make with kids, since there is no oven involved. Peppermint lovers: is this your dream dessert?

You will need: 1 box chocolate graham crackers, 3 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp peppermint extract, 1 drop red food coloring (optional), 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies.

How to make it: 1. Whip cream, sugar and peppermint extract to stiff peaks. 2. Tint pale pink if you like. 3. Layer crackers and cream in a 9×13 dish, 4 layers. 4. Finish with cream. 5. Chill overnight. 6. Sprinkle crushed candies on top just before serving.

Gingerbread Spiced Graham Bars

These no-bake bars taste like gingerbread without rolling out a single cookie. A graham crust gets a creamy filling spiced with molasses, ginger and cinnamon, then a drizzle of white icing. Cut them small for a holiday cookie tray. Ginger fans, would you make these?

You will need: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 1/3 cup molasses, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1 cup heavy cream whipped, white icing.

How to make it: 1. Mix crumbs and butter and press into an 8×8 pan. 2. Beat cream cheese, molasses, sugar and spices until smooth. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Spread over the crust. 5. Chill 6 hours. 6. Drizzle with icing and cut into squares.

No-Bake Cheesecake Bars

Of all the graham cracker desserts here, cheesecake bars are the easiest to serve at a party. Press a graham crust into a square pan, spread on a creamy no-bake filling and chill. Top them with fresh berries, cherry pie filling or chocolate. A quick poll: A) berries, B) cherry, C) chocolate, D) plain. What goes on yours?

You will need: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup melted butter, 16 oz cream cheese softened, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 cup heavy cream whipped, fresh berries.

How to make it: 1. Mix crumbs and butter and press into a lined 8×8 pan. 2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and lemon until smooth. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Spread over the crust. 5. Chill at least 6 hours. 6. Lift out, cut into bars and top with berries.

Key Lime Icebox Pie

Key lime pie is a bright, tangy break from all the heavy holiday sweets. This no-bake version mixes sweetened condensed milk with lime juice, which thickens it naturally, plus cream cheese for a firm set. Pour it into a graham crust and chill. Sweet or extra tart?

You will need: 1 graham cracker crust, 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup key lime or regular lime juice, 1 tbsp lime zest, whipped cream, lime slices.

How to make it: 1. Beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Beat in the condensed milk. 3. Slowly beat in the lime juice and zest. 4. Pour into the crust. 5. Chill at least 6 hours until set. 6. Top with whipped cream and lime slices.

S’mores Bars, One of the Most Kid-Friendly Graham Cracker Desserts

All the flavor of a campfire s’more, made in the kitchen. Graham crackers, melted chocolate and marshmallow cream layer into bars that set in the fridge. They are perfect for a family movie night or a class party. How many could your kids eat?

You will need: 1 box graham crackers, 2 cups chocolate chips, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme, 2 cups mini marshmallows, 2 tbsp butter.

How to make it: 1. Line an 8×8 pan with graham crackers. 2. Warm cream and pour over chocolate chips, then stir smooth. 3. Spread half the chocolate over the crackers. 4. Melt butter and mini marshmallows, stir in the creme and spread on top. 5. Add a layer of crackers and the rest of the chocolate. 6. Chill 2 hours and cut.

Graham Cracker Toffee for the Christmas Candy Tray

Once you start, it is hard to stop eating this one. Graham crackers are covered with butter and brown sugar toffee, baked for a few minutes, then topped with chocolate and pecans. It is the only recipe here that uses the oven, and it is worth it. Pecans or almonds?

You will need: 12 graham cracker sheets, 1 cup butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, flaky salt.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 350 F and line a sheet pan with foil and parchment. 2. Lay the crackers in one layer. 3. Boil butter and brown sugar for 3 minutes, stirring. 4. Pour over the crackers and bake 8 minutes. 5. Sprinkle chocolate chips, wait 3 minutes and spread. 6. Top with pecans and salt, chill and break into pieces.

Banana Pudding, a Southern Spin on Graham Cracker Desserts

Southern banana pudding is usually made with vanilla wafers, but graham crackers make a delicious, slightly toasty twist. Layer them with sliced bananas and creamy vanilla pudding in a trifle dish. It looks beautiful on a holiday buffet. Wafers or graham crackers in yours?

You will need: 1 box graham crackers, 4 ripe bananas sliced, 2 boxes (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding, 3 cups cold milk, 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping.

How to make it: 1. Whisk pudding, milk and condensed milk for 2 minutes and chill 5 minutes. 2. Fold in half the whipped topping. 3. Layer crackers, bananas and pudding in a trifle dish. 4. Repeat 3 times. 5. Top with the rest of the whipped topping and crushed crackers. 6. Chill at least 4 hours.

Graham Cracker Houses for the Kids

Graham cracker houses are an easy, low-cost version of gingerbread houses, and kids can build them at the kitchen table. Royal icing works like glue, and candies make the decorations. Build them on a small paper plate or a milk carton for support. Who has the best house in your family?

You will need: Graham crackers, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 egg white or 1 1/2 tbsp meringue powder plus 3 tbsp water, small candies, sprinkles, small paper plates or clean milk cartons.

How to make it: 1. Beat powdered sugar with egg white or meringue powder and water until stiff. 2. Spoon into a zip bag and snip a corner. 3. Pipe icing along the edges of 4 crackers and stand them up as walls. 4. Add 2 crackers as a roof. 5. Let it dry 30 minutes. 6. Decorate with candies and sprinkles.

Cherry Cheesecake on a Graham Crust

Cherry cheesecake is a holiday classic, and the bright red topping looks festive on any table. A creamy no-bake filling sits on a graham crust and gets a thick layer of cherry topping. You can also serve the filling as a dip with graham crackers for dunking. Pie or dip at your party?

You will need: 1 graham cracker crust, 16 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup heavy cream whipped, 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling.

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. 2. Beat in the sour cream. 3. Fold in the whipped cream. 4. Spread into the crust. 5. Chill at least 6 hours. 6. Top with cherry pie filling before serving.

The Strict Preacher Behind Graham Cracker Desserts

Sylvester Graham (1794 to 1851) was a Presbyterian minister and diet reformer who preached about plain whole grain bread and simple food. His ideas inspired graham flour and graham crackers, and he is often called the father of vegetarianism in America. Read more in his Wikipedia biography, or try our pumpkin icebox cake with white chocolate. Did you know the story?

You will need: For a simple taste of the original idea: graham crackers, a glass of cold milk, sliced apples.

How to make it: 1. Set out a plate of plain graham crackers. 2. Pour a glass of cold milk. 3. Slice an apple. 4. Taste the cracker plain, the way it started. 5. Then pick a dessert from this list. 6. Share the story at the holiday table.