Skip The Graham Crackers And Use Cookie Crumbs For Your Next Pie Crust

Graham cracker pie crusts are a well-known and beloved base for many types of pies, from pumpkin to key lime. While the classic recipe is a crowd-pleaser, there are ways to take it to the next level and add more flavor to your pie crust, like swapping out graham crackers for almost any variety of cookies.

When you add more flavor to set your pie apart from the typical, chances are everyone will want to know your secret. And that's because introducing a type of cookie into the pie crust itself will bring a new level of complexity to the flavors of the pie. Because you can substitute so many different kinds of cookies into pie crust, you can choose a flavor that will enhance the pie filling you plan to use. From classics like sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies to perennial favorites such as shortbread cookies and chocolate Oreos, there are seemingly endless combinations.

Experiment with different flavors

Almost any kind of cookie can be used to make a delicious crust for your pie. When making a cookie crust, the process is very similar to making a graham cracker crust. Simply crush the cookies in a food processor or by hand and mix in melted butter until the mixture is moist and crumbly. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a pie dish and refrigerate to set. 

If you need a few ideas for cookie crust and filling combinations that are sure to impress and get your imagination turning, consider classic flavor combinations: For example, a chocolate Oreo crust with peanut butter filling or a vanilla wafer crust with banana cream filling. Ginger snaps could, meanwhile, pair well with orange curd and buttery shortbread cookie crusts work well with many different flavors like pumpkin or key lime.

Whether you stick to the classic graham cracker crust or experiment with other types of cookies, adding more flavor to your pie crust can take your dessert to the next level. With so many options for crust and filling combinations, you'll never run out of delicious pie ideas.