Cherry Kool-Aid Pie
This Cherry Kool-Aid Pie will be the hit of your next get together! It’s super easy to make, only contains 4 ingredients, and doesn’t require an oven! It’s been added to our family’s collection of Easy Dessert Pies because we just love it so much!
One may think this popular, sugary concoction is only made for drinking. This pie recipe is here to prove everyone wrong. It’s a dessert pie made of sweetness and tanginess that has been making a HUGE comeback in nostalgic kitchens over the last few years.
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This simple Cherry Kool Aid Pie recipe is a no-bake dessert that includes the cherry-flavored Kool Aid mix and converts it into an invigorating and dreamy pie. It only requires four ingredients so it’s perfect to make when you don’t feel like baking but need to whip up a quick weekend treat.
Why You Should Make This Cherry Kool Aid Pie
Ingredients and Tips for This Creamy Cherry Pie
Wondering what you need to make this dessert? I got you covered below!
- Kool Aid Drink Mix: You can use either the sweetened or unsweetened kind. You can also use different flavors if you aren’t a fan of cherry.
- Graham Cracker Pie Crust: We enjoy using this pre-made Keebler Graham Cracker Crust, or make your own. Make sure it’s about 9 to 10 inches in diameter.
- Cool Whip: You can certainly make your own homemade whipped cream, however, using Cool Whip will work just the same and is quicker.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: We enjoy only using half of the can so it’s not super sweet. However, you can use the entire can if you prefer.
Can I Make This Cherry Kool Aid Pie Ahead of Time?
You can make this pie up to 2 days before serving. It will keep well in the refrigerator for the set amount of time. It is best to consume the pie after the two days due to the condensed milk.
What Can I Use Instead of Cherries?
If you aren’t a fan of cherries, feel free to use strawberries or oranges. Both of the flavors are available in Kool Aid form. For an extra kick, garnish your pie with chopped strawberries or Mandarin oranges.
Can I Freeze This Easy Kool Aid Cherry Pie?
You can freeze this pie ahead of time as well. Follow the baking instructions and place in the refrigerator to chill. Once set, wrap the pie a couple of times in saran wrap and a couple of times in aluminum foil. Label with the date and freeze. To defrost, set the pie in the fridge about a day before consumption.
How Long Will This Pie Last in the Refrigerator?
If you have any left overs of this pie, it will last no longer then 3 days in the refrigerator. Please make sure to store left overs in a cool and chilled place due to the condensed milk.
How Do I Make A Homemade Graham Cracker Crust?
If you aren’t a fan of using a pre-made graham cracker crust, you can certainly use a homemade graham crust as a substitution. This Graham Cracker Crust Recipe from Taste of Home is a great one to make with this recipe.
More of Our Favorite Simple Pie Recipes
If you are looking for recipes like the one above, check out a few of our favorite ones on the site and from our friends:
- Cherry Fluff Pie Recipe
- Easy Strawberry Glazed Pie
- Banana Pecan Cream Pie
- No-Bake Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie
- Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie
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Ingredients
- .13 ounce Kool-Aid drink mix (sweetened or unsweetened, any flavor)
- 8 ounce tub of Cool Whip
- 7 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 9-inch graham cracker crust (pre-made)
- Whipped cream, cherries, mandarin oranges, or strawberries (for garnish-optional)
Equipment You’ll Need
Instructions
- Place the Kool Aid, Cool Whip, and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl.
- Mix and stir until everything is very well blended.
- Place creamy filling inside the graham cracker crust.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours until nice and set.
- Garnish with whipped cream, cherries, mandarin oranges, or strawberries if desired
Love adding Kool-aid to recipes, this is awesome, will be making it this summer! Pinned!
It really is the perfect summer treat!
when i make the cherry one, i put a jar of chopped marischino cherries in it and when i make a lime one, i put drained crushed pineapple.
It seems like it would be too sweet if you use the sweetened KoolAid. What did y'all use?
Don’t use the the pre sweetened Kool-Aid. I’m making Cherry today. I’ve made a Pink Lemonade which was delicious! Adding cherries & hot fudge in the middle to see if it will turn out like chocolate covered cherries. Yum yum.
just regular Kool Aid
I just made this and I garnished it by a decorative boarder of cream cheese/cool whip mixed, placed a dollop in the center, then I added a stemmed maraschino cherry in the middle and about 8 cherries around the outside. I then drizzled a melted hershey bar over the top.. I wish I was the one going to eat it😀 but I made it for my friend who loves cherry.
What a yummy looking pie! I will have to do this for my kids soon. Maybe even go and pick up the stuff at the store. Thanks for another great recipe!
You are welcome! Hope the kids enjoy it 😉
Make this all the time, different flavors
I've been trying to find recipes to make with my kiddos and this one fits the bill. Thanks so much for sharing – looks great, as always! 🙂
Awwwww thank you Stace!
Fabulous idea! It looks so pretty too! I think I may share this in an upcoming column that I'm going to write about kids in the kitchen. Perfect…so glad you shared!
Share away Marsha 🙂 It's the perfect thing to make with kids 🙂
This looks so easy..and so good! =)
We always have Kool-Aid in our cupboard!
Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome!
I love the ease of recipes like this one! Looks yummy!
Easy is right Carey 🙂 It literally took 15 minutes flat to make 🙂
I'm sure my children would love this, if I ever let them have any..ha! Looks amazing and perfect for summer 🙂
Yeah…we fought over who would have the last few pieces at our house 😉 Soooo good 😉
I made this with lemonade Koolaid for Fathers Day. It was a HUGE hit. My husband (who doesn't like lemon pie) ate several pieces! 🙂 My SIL asked if it was lemon icebox pie. Can't wait to try to cherry flavor!
Oh I'm so glad all of you enjoyed it Kay Dee! I am going to have to try the lemonade one next 🙂
I love sweets and this one looks good and so easy I alway have kool aid my question to u is do I use the whole can of milk
Yes
Oh, this was a good pie! I made it with orange flavored Kool-Aid and it tasted just like an orange creamcicle. Just delicious.
I featured this recipe on my website and took pictures, too — http://scrumptiouscyn.com/orange-creamsicle-kool-aid-pie/
Thanks again for the recipe; my family really enjoyed it!
Thank you for featuring the recipe! I am so glad everyone loved it over there. I will have to try it with the orange flavor next time 🙂
Hey Libby, This is such a pretty pie, and it looks sooo yummy! I'm making this pie for my hubby for Valentine's Day. Thank-you for sharing the recipe.
Libby, we enjoyed the pie! The first words out of hubby's mouth after taking first bite…"This is really good!" And I couldn't agree more. Can't wait to try other flavors of kool-aid to make more pies.
Yay! I am glad y'all enjoyed it 🙂 It's one of our favorites here 😉
I am thinking about using the unsweetened kool aid, will it still have enough flavor or should I stick with the sugary one?
I have never tried it with unsweetened Kool Aid. I would think though that with the condensed milk, it should have enough flavor. If you try the unsweetened version, let us know how it turned out and tasted 😉
I used the unsweetened Kool Aid, i did use 2 packs, it tastes AWESOME …
Did you use the sweetened condensed milk or unsweetened?
Yay! This is good to know 😉 Thank you for posting this 😉
I have used crystal light too and they have alot of flavors too it was good.
Thanks for the tip! We will have to try Crystal Light next time 🙂
The recipe calls for a packet of the unsweetened Kool-Aid. I’ve never seen a recipe for Kool-aid pie made with the pre sweetened Kool-Aid. Try it, you’ll love it.
Super excited to make this for an Easter party later this month, but do you think it'd work to use real whip cream instead of cool whip? I'm deathly allergic to the coconut oil in cool whip 🙁
I have never tried it with real whipped cream…just have always made it with the Cool Whip. My advice is to make it a couple of weeks before the Easter party to test it out and see if it will work.
Gave it a try last night, worked great. Kind of like a weird cheesecake in texture, might add a bit more sugar next time though
I am glad it turned out great! Thank you so much for getting back to us with how it turned out 😉
I am sure my big kid (hubby) will love this. Thanks for sharing
You are welcome 😉
Oh wow!! My great-great grandmother used to make this all the time. We called it "pink pie"!! Love it
What a fitting name for it too 😉
can i use jell-o pack instead of kool-aid
I'm so sorry I'm finally getting to this comment 🙁 I have not tried it with Jell-O yet. It would be interesting to find out though. Please let us know if you decided to try it.
I definitely am going to try the Jello and Yogurt version instead of the Koolaide and Sweetened Condensed Milk Version. I thing overall it would be flavorful without so much sweet. I have made pies in the past that used the sweetened condensed milk and found they were just too sweet for me.
I you are making jello and yogurt version, how much yogurt are you using? Can you also do the same using the Koolaid. Thank you..
My family, even the kids, found this pie way too sweet. Plus it did not seem to set nicely, it was a bit runny. Not something I would rush out and make again.
@Granny…did you use the original recipe or the Jello version stated up above?
Libby I had the same issue, it tasted great but it stayed pretty runny, it was quite messy. Followed the recipe you posted to the letter. Any idea why?
I’m sorry to hear this Lori 🙁 I am not sure why it would come out runny. It always sets really well when we make it. If you are wanting to try and figure out, you can e-mail me at: olivias@cookingwithlibby.com and we can trouble shoot it.
This pie is fantastic. So far we have tried it in flavors pink lemonade, a favorite, black cherry, lime, strawberry, and peach mango. Very easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. Thank you so much for sharing.
You are welcome 🙂 We are going to have to try it with the black cherry 🙂
Orange KoolAid with some crushed Mandarin oranges mixed in and decorate with Mandarin oranges and kiwi, so delicious!
Oh my goodness…I LOVE that!
This looks wonderful. I've done something similar with cream cheese, cool whip, and jell-o. I can't wait to try this!
I'm going to have to try the cream cheese, cool whip, and jell-o idea too! 😉
Just made this….family loved it
I'm so glad to hear this!
Who Knew Kool-Aid was so versatile. I made Kool-Aid popcorn a few weeks ago. I'll have to try this out. Thanks for the recipe.
I know right?! I've even heard of Kool Aid ice cream too 😉 Gonna have to try the popcorn 😉
Can you use a regular baked pie crust?Baking it first,of course. That is what I have on hand.
I have had trouble with baked pie crusts getting soggy if not consumed completely once cut into. Not sure about this filling though.
We have not tried it with a regular baked pie crust. It has always been the graham crust. The filling is pretty thick and holds up well. I say give it a try and find out…and let us know what happens 😉
Sounds creamy delicious! I must try this all year!
Hope you enjoy it!
I've had this recipe for about 12 years and love it. If you use strawberry Kool-Aid, you can put fresh sliced strawberries on it. Lemonade is a great flavor for it too. A friend's elderly mother can't chew anything but needs the calories,so I put it in bowls for her and just sprinkled the top of each with graham cracker crumbs,
That's a good way for her to get her calories in 😉 We haven't tried lemonade yet. Gonna have to do that!
Oh love this pie. Have made it several times, one with mandarin oranges and orange koolaid and one with strawberries and strawberry koolaid. Both are delish. And i only used one pkg of the unsweetened koolaid, might use two next time.
We made the orange and the strawberry one on July 4th 🙂 They were soooo good too! 😉
Hi. Im in the UK and I've never heard of koolaid. What is it and do you know of an alternative?
Thanks x
It is a powdered soft drink mix, to which you add water and sugar. Here is a link to a UK source for Kool-Aid: http://www.koolaidworld.com/en/
You can freeze it too like ice cream pie!
Really?! That is awesome! Next time we make them, we're going to have to freeze them and see how they are 😉
Do you use the little packets of Kool Aid ? I went to WalMart today & they don't have the pigs of presweetened Kool Aid. I really want to make this for our ladies night on Friday. Thnx
Yes…you use a 0.16 oz. pack 🙂
I will have to try this. I have put koolade in with the mix for a angel food cake, gives it a slight tang, a good flavor, and a pretty color.
Ohhhh…what a great tip! Gonna have to try that next time 😉
Frieda, do you use 6 8oz yougarts?
MISTAKE, JUST USE 1 8OZ OF YOGURT. SORRY.
I have made this pie in orange, was delicious tasted like cream sicle. The lemon aid one was lime the lemon icebox pie with lemon juice! My strawberry one didn"t set up for some reason, think my cool whip wasn't cold enough. I forgot to put it out of the freezer to thaw.The pie is in the freezer right now hoping it will set that way! Linda
I hope it was able to set Linda. We have tried the orange flavor and loved it! 😉
Thanks for recipe. My mom always made Grape kool-aid with Sliced bananas in it. We kides would fight over the bananas. Thinking this would be awesome combination
I haven't heard of that combination yet. Interesting 🙂
this sounds sooooooo good my fathers birthday is in sept, he will be 92 he loves any thing lemon i think i will it as a ice creem on the side & THE ANGLE FOOD CAKE IN LEMON for him he will loveeeeeeeeeee it im so sure i ty ty ty ……..
You are very welcome 😉 Oh that sounds like a great combination!
I was wondering can u cook the koolaid pies with regular crust in how to do it
I have not tried this method. We always use the graham cracker crust. However, if you do decide to use a regular pie crust, I would bake the actual crust first, then fill it with the rest of the Kool Aid ingredients. After the filling is incorporated into the baked crust, place it in the fridge to chill and set. Hope this helps. Let us know how it turns out 🙂
If you are making the jello and yogurt version, how much yogurt do you use and can you use yogurt in the koolaid version. Thank you.
I saw this on another site but couldn’t remember how to make it, once I read your instructions I felt silly, IT IS SO EASY! I a making it tonight, we have unexpected guests so it will be an easy dessert!!
And since I am super fast in the kitchen I know it will take me no time at all to whip it together. Thank you for this quick and easy idea!
I can’t wait to taste it, since I am making it I will be the fist 🙂 I usually don’t sample my own cooking but I have a feeling this one will be irrisistible!!
Hi Tonia! It is a very easy pie to make! I hope you enjoyed it 😉 It’s a family favorite around here 😉
I just made a version of this pie but crumbled golden Oreo cookies and it has been in fridge for 21/2 hours and still runny. Should I try freezing?
Did you use the Oreo cookies as the crust? Also, did you substitute any of the other ingredients in the recipe?
I would try putting it in the freezer for a few hours to see if that will help it set. Hopefully that will help.
I just read this and can’t wait to make it! I’m diabetic do will use KoolAid with sweetener, sugar free Cool Whip and homemade sweetened condensed milk.
If I wanted to use the concentrated KoolAid that comes in portable little bottles, how much would I use? I have the generic little bottles, too, in various flavors, so might try that!
Hi Lauren! I am not sure how many packs of the concentrated KoolAid you would need. I would probably see how many will be equivalent to 1 regular pack of KoolAid. That’s how I would calculate it. Maybe 1 or 2. Hope this helps some and enjoy the recipe 😉
We LOVE to make this pie during the spring and summer seasons!
All the Kool aid flavors are GREAT for summer, and during cooler temps or winter, I like substituting the Kool aid with instant cappuccino topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate sprinkles, AWESOME!
Ohhhh that sounds delish! Thank you so much for sharing that tip with us! I need to try that 😉
Quick, Easy, and Delicious! Great for last minute: ” Please bring a plate to share” summer cookouts!
Yes! Exactly Pete!
So I know this recipe is apparently so easy that anyone can do it. I’ve made a lot of different kind of cool whip pies over the years but wondering if anyone would know why when I did this one it was just completely runny. I had it in the fridge overnight and when I served it it was like soup, somebody cut a piece out and everything just filled in the gap:-( anyone have an idea of what could cause it to not hold a shape? I used the same ingredients mentioned
I just made this and OMG!!!!!!!!! My whole family fell in love with it. Thank you so much.