Millionaire Pie Recipe

One bite and you’ll understand how this millionaire pie recipe got its name. It’s so rich, it tastes like a million bucks!

The luscious creamy filling is full of pineapple and nuts. It just screams summer dessert. 

Best of all, it’s a no-bake dessert everyone will love. Seriously, one slice is not enough.

No-Bake Millionaire Pie

Sometimes called million dollar pie, millionaire pie is a popular no-bake Southern dessert.

The cream cheese, pineapple, pecans, and whipped topping complement each other beautifully.

It’s an insanely addictive summer treat. 

The earliest recipe goes back to the 1940s! With longevity like that, you know it’s crazy delicious.

It’s also so easy. Give it time to set and it’s impossible to mess up.

Ingredients

You can make this simple no-bake pie with less than 10 ingredients. Here’s everything you need:

• Cream Cheese – Traditional millionaire pie does not contain cream cheese, but it does make it taste significantly richer and creamier. It also counterbalances the sweetness from the condensed milk.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk – To sweeten the pie. Since this is a no-bake recipe, using granulated sugar will make the filling grainy. 

• Lemon Juice – Do not skip this ingredient! The condensed milk is super sweet, and the lemon juice contrasts the flavor, giving you a perfectly flavored pie.

• Whipped Topping – I highly recommend thawed frozen whipped cream (Cool Whip) for the filling as fresh whipped cream won’t set properly.

• Crushed Pineapple – Drain it well! You won’t want any juice in the pie filling, or it won’t set properly.

• Chopped Pecans – The crunchy element provides a texture contrast to the smooth and silky cream cheese filling. Toast the pecans beforehand for a deeper flavor.

• Graham Cracker Crust – Nothing beats a homemade crust, but nothing’s wrong with pre-made, either! Choose whichever one you prefer.

• Optional: Maraschino Cherries and Flaked Coconut – The original recipe called for coconut, and I’ve seen plenty of variations with pops of vibrant cherries. It’s up to you if you want them in the mix.

How To Make Millionaire Pie

How do you make a 5-minute no-bake dessert taste like a million bucks? The answer is simple.

Just follow these three beginner-friendly steps:

1. Mix the dairy and lemon juice. Beat together cream cheese, condensed milk, and lemon juice. Gently mix in the whipped topping.

2. Add the fruit and nuts. Gently mix in the pineapple and chopped pecans, as well as the cherries and coconut, if using.

3. Chill and Serve. Pour the mixture into pie crusts and chill for 3 to 4 hours. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Pie

You know the phrase “easy as pie”? I’m pretty sure they were talking about this dessert. It’s as fuss-free as can be. 

However, there are some things you can do to make it top-notch. So here are some nifty tips:

• Don’t rush the pie. Give it at least 3 to 4 hours in the fridge to set. Otherwise, you’ll get a runny filling that will flow out once you slice into it.

• Use a spatula. Instead of an electric mixer, use a spatula to stir in the whipped cream. This helps keep it fluffy.

• Decorate with toppings. For a prettier pie, garnish it with whipped cream, pecans, toasted coconut, and maraschino cherries. This adds texture, too.

Recipe Variations

This millionaire pie is absolutely stunning as it is. But there are several ways to switch it up for more fun and flavor. Here are some ideas:

• Make it extra fruity. For more cherry goodness, also add the maraschino cherries and the juice. It enhances the Hawaiian flavor.

• Add a tropical twist. You know what pairs wonderfully with pineapple? Coconut. So add the flaked coconut and use whipped coconut cream in the pie filling!

• Give it a zesty citrus twist. Add a can of drained mandarin oranges to the pie filling. It will make your pie even brighter, lighter, and more refreshing.

• Try different nuts. Apart from pecans, you can also use almonds, macadamias, and other nuts for extra crunch. 

• Add marshmallows. Turn your millionaire pie into an ambrosia pie by simply adding mini-marshmallows. What a fun dessert mash-up!

Can This Be Turned Into Cupcakes?

Absolutely! You will need to make your own pie crust, but the extra effort is worth it.

To make pie cupcakes, just place the homemade crust mixture into muffin tins and pour over the filling.  

How to Store

Millionaire pie is one of my all-time favorite effortless desserts. 

Since it’s a no-bake recipe, it frees up the oven. All you have to do is assemble and let it set for 3-4 hours before serving. 

This makes it a great make-ahead dessert for parties and holidays. 

Make-ahead or leftover slices, be sure to store the pie properly to preserve the quality. Here are some general guidelines:

To Store: Place the pie in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within 4 days.

To Freeze: Wrap the pie in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight freezer-friendly container. Enjoy within 3 months.

To Thaw: Thaw the pie in the fridge overnight. The pie is also good semi-frozen. In this case, thaw the pie in the fridge just until you can slice through it.

More No-Bake Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Want more fuss-free no-bake desserts? Try some of these tasty treats:

No-bake Peanut Butter Pie
No-bake Cookies
Oreo Lasagna
Kool-Aid Pie
Dream Whip Pie