Introduction
This pie is everything you’d ever want in one bite: a buttery graham cracker crust, a thick caramel layer that tastes just like the inside of a Twix bar, a silky cream-cheese–vanilla filling, and a glossy chocolate topping that sets into the perfect bite. It requires no baking, comes together quickly, and tastes like a candy bar turned into a creamy, dreamy pie. This dessert is perfect for holidays, birthdays, or anytime you want a seriously impressive no-bake treat. It slices beautifully, stays firm, and has that irresistible sweet-salted-chocolate-caramel balance.
Ingredients
For the Crust: 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 14 full sheets) 1/2 cup melted butter 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Pinch of salt For the Caramel Layer: 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk OR 1 cup thick caramel sauce (like dulce de leche) 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup brown sugar Pinch of sea salt (optional but amazing) For the Cream Filling: 8 oz cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold) For the Chocolate Topping: 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate) 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions Crust Step-by-Step 1. Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a blender or bag + rolling pin. 2. Mix crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and pinch of salt until fully combined and the mixture resembles wet sand. 3. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie dish using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup. 4. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 20–30 minutes while you prepare the fillings.
Caramel Layer Step-by-Step 1. In a small saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, butter, and brown sugar. 2. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens (about 8–10 minutes). It should look like smooth caramel. 3. Add a pinch of sea salt if you want a salted-caramel flavor. 4. Pour the warm caramel over the chilled graham crust and smooth it out evenly. 5. Refrigerate again for 20–30 minutes until slightly firm.
Cream Filling Step-by-Step 1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. 2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat again until creamy. 3. In a separate cold bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. 4. Fold the whipped cream gently into the cream cheese mixture. Do not overmix—keep it light and fluffy. 5. Spread the cream mixture evenly over the caramel layer. 6. Chill while preparing the chocolate topping.
Chocolate Layer Step-by-Step 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream together in 20–30 second intervals, stirring each time until smooth. 2. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cream filling. 3. Use a spatula to make the beautiful glossy swirls like in your picture. 4. Chill the pie for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the cleanest slices.
Methods This pie uses three classic no-bake methods: 1. Pressed Graham Crust: Uses melted butter to bind crumbs and firm up when chilled. 2. Stovetop Caramel: Sweetened condensed milk creates a fast, thick caramel similar to Twix candy bars. 3. Whipped-Cream Lightened Filling: Mixing whipped cream with cream cheese gives a fluffy but stable filling. 4. Ganache Topping: Chocolate + cream gives a soft but sliceable top layer.
History This layered pie is inspired by the classic Millionaire’s Shortbread (shortbread + caramel + chocolate) and the famous Twix candy bar. Home cooks started making pie versions in the early 2000s because they were easier, no-bake, and used simple ingredients. The cream layer was added later to make the dessert richer, softer, and more pie-like, turning it into a retro-style refrigerator pie that families passed down and adapted.
Benefits • No Oven Needed: Perfect for summer or quick desserts. • Make-Ahead Friendly: Sets beautifully overnight. • Beginner-Friendly: Every step is simple. • Crowd-Pleaser: Chocolate, cream cheese, caramel—everyone loves it. • Customizable: Can use chocolate crust, Oreo crust, salted caramel, or even add chopped Twix inside the filling.
Nutrition (approximate per slice, 1/10 of pie) Calories: 420–480 Fat: 29g Carbs: 45–52g Sugar: 38–45g Protein: 5–6g (Varies based on chocolate type and caramel used.)
Formation (How the layers hold together) Bottom: The butter-bound graham crust firms up in the fridge. Middle 1: The caramel becomes thick as it cools, making a stable candy-bar-style layer. Middle 2: The whipped cream and cream cheese mixture is soft but stabilized by the chilled caramel and crust. Top: The chocolate ganache sets into a glossy, smooth topping that slices without cracking.
Conclusion This No-Bake Twix Cream Pie is a decadent, multi-layer dessert that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and requires zero baking. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or anytime you want something that feels luxurious but is actually easy to make. Its combination of buttery crust, gooey caramel, silky cream, and rich chocolate makes every slice irresistible.