Vanilla Wafer Crumb Crust
Submitted by janieswain
A no-bake vanilla wafer crumb crust made with just three ingredients. Press into a pie pan, chill, and fill with your favorite pudding, cream, or fruit filling.
YIELD
1 crustPREP
15 minCOOK
20 minREADY
2 hrsEvery great no-bake pie starts with a crust worth eating on its own. This one takes 15 minutes of active work and three ingredients you probably already have.
Thirty vanilla wafers get crushed into fine crumbs, tossed with melted margarine and a splash of pure vanilla extract, then pressed firmly into a pie pan. Two hours in the fridge and it sets up sturdy enough to slice cleanly but crumbly enough to melt in your mouth.
Reserve a couple tablespoons of the crumb mixture to sprinkle on top of your finished pie as a garnish. It ties the whole thing together and adds a little textural contrast.
Kitchen Tips
- Crush the wafers into very fine crumbs. Chunky pieces won’t hold together and the crust will crumble when you try to slice the pie.
- Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs evenly across the bottom and up the sides. The back of a spoon works, but a flat surface gives more consistent pressure.
- Chill for the full two hours. Rushing this step means a crust that falls apart the moment you lift the first slice.
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare a 9 inch pie plate by rubbing inside, bottom and sides with 1 teaspoon of the margarine; set aside.
Crush vanilla wafers to make very fine crumbs 1½ cups.
Place crumbs in a large bowl; combine vanilla and melted margarine and drizzle all over crumbs.
Mix thoroughly with blending fork to make sure all is well blended.
Remove about 2 tablespoons of crumb mixture and set aside to use as a garnish if desired.
With back of a large spoon, press remaining crumbs evenly all over bottom and sides of prepared pie pan.
Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or longer before filling.
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