These Mediterranean No-Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie Cups have a refreshing texture. We prepare these pie cups with cream cheese, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, vanilla extract, sea salt, graham cracker crumbs, olive oil, &Â cinnamon, and garnish them with fresh berries, chopped pistachios, and mint leaves. These pie cups contain approximately 22 g net carbs and 265 calories. We make these no-bake pie cups in just 20 minutes. These Mediterranean No-Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Pie Cups are perfect for summer gatherings, family dinners, picnics, afternoon treats, holiday celebrations, meal prep, and Mediterranean-style dessert menus. We can refrigerate them for 4 days or freeze them for 1 month, so you can prepare them earlier. You can serve these pie cups with Fresh Fruit Salad, Honey-Roasted Almonds, Mint Tea, Greek Yogurt Parfait, or Sparkling Lemon Water.
STATS:
- Course: Dessert, Snack
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Diet: Mediterranean, Vegetarian
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Portion Size: 1 pie cup
- Cooking Mode: No-Bake
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
TOOLS:
- Bowls
- Electric hand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Lemon zester
- Refrigerator
- Lemon juicer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Dessert cups
- Spoon
INGREDIENTS:
CRUST:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
FILLING:
- Eight oz. of cream cheese
- One cup of Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- Lemon zest, two tsp.
- One tsp. vanilla extract
GARNISH:
- ½ cup blueberries
- ½ cup raspberries
- 2 tbsp pistachios
- Fresh mint leaves
- Extra lemon zest
INGREDIENT NOTES & THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
GRAHAM CRACKERS:
- We use whole-grain graham crackers to create a crunchy and wholesome crust for these pie cups. You can also use digestive biscuits or oat biscuits.
OLIVE OIL:
- Olive oil offers beneficial Mediterranean fats and aids in binding the crust. You may substitute it with melted butter or avocado oil.
HONEY:
- We use honey to naturally sweeten the filling and crust. Instead, you can use maple syrup or date syrup.
GREEK YOGURT:
- Greek yogurt adds creaminess, protein, and a light tangy flavor to the filling. You can replace it with skyr or dairy-free yogurt.
CREAM CHEESE:
- Cream cheese gives these pie cups their rich, smooth, and creamy texture. As an alternative, you can use full-fat or dairy-free cream cheese.
LEMON JUICE:
- Fresh lemon juice provides a bright and refreshing citrus flavor.
PISTACHIOS:
- We use chopped pistachios for a crunchy texture and nutty Mediterranean flavor.
FRESH BERRIES:
- Fresh berries add natural sweetness, color, and freshness to the dessert. Alternatively, you can use strawberries or blackberries.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- First, mix the graham cracker crumbs, olive oil, honey, lemon zest, and cinnamon.
- Then include the mixture in six cups and press to make the crust.
- Beat the softened cream cheese in the large bowl to make a smooth mixture.
- Include Greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, salt, vanilla, & lemon zest, then whip again.
- Pipe the filling on the crust and chill the cups for almost two hours.
- Lastly, garnish the dessert with berries, pistachios, mint leaves, & additional lemon zest.
TIPS:
- Utilize fresh lemon juice, as it will provide a perfect flavor.
- Refrigerate the pie cups for a night to get a firmer texture.
- Include the fruit garnish just before eating.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
BREAKFAST PAIRINGS:
- Greek Yogurt Parfait
- Fresh Berry Salad
- Whole-Grain Honey Toast
- Mediterranean Fruit Bowl
- Chia Seed Pudding
BRUNCH FAVORITES:
- Spinach & Feta Egg Muffins
- Mediterranean Vegetable Frittata
- Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
- Avocado Tomato Toast
- Herb Cheese Crostini
LIGHT SNACKS:
- Honey-Roasted Almonds
- Mixed Mediterranean Olives
- Pistachio Trail Mix
- Lemon Herb Ricotta Dip
- Whole-Grain Crackers
BEVERAGE PAIRINGS:
- Fresh Mint Tea
- Sparkling Lemon Water
- Iced Green Tea
- Chamomile Tea
- Fresh Berry Smoothie
DESSERT PAIRINGS:
- Greek Yogurt Berry Cups
- Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
- Baked Cinnamon Apples
- Lemon Ricotta Cookies
- Fresh Citrus Fruit Salad
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put these pie cups in a closed box and stock them for 2-4 days.
FREEZER:
- Store without the fruit topping for about one month.
FAQs:
Does this recipe contain any gluten?
- No, if you are utilizing non-gluten graham crackers.
Which sweetener is perfect for utilizing as an alternative to honey?
- You may add maple syrup as another choice.
Why does my filling become soft?
- Increase the chilling time or refrigerate the cream cheese perfectly.
Could we include store-bought lemon juice?
- Yes, you can use bottled lemon juice, yet fresh lemon juice will deliver a perfect taste.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Fat: 15 g
Caloric Content: 265 kcal
Fiber: 2 g
Sodium: 220 mg
Net Carbs: 22 g
Sugar: 15 g
Protein: 8 g
Portion Size: 1 pie cup
Total Carbs: 24 g