Easy Graham Cracker Crust

What You'll Need
1 Package Graham Crackers (~10 Crackers or 1&1/2 C)
1/3 C Sugar
6 Tbsp Oil or Butter

Makes one ~9" Pie Crust

Begin by pulverizing the graham crackers and sugar using preferably a food processor or mechanical blender. If without, place graham crackers in a zip bag and smash with a stout object.

The grind has a fairly critical role on the final graham cracker crust, think of the dessert you are preparing and consider the role you would like the crust to play. In delicate, more intricate dishes like a cheesecake the graham cracker crust should be a thinner crust, think background accessory player providing all reasonable benefits without any risk of detracting from the starring role of the cheesecake. However, in many other desserts such as a blueberry crumble or banana creme pie the graham cracker crust plays a much larger role and due to the natural instability these filling a thicker, sturdier crust is essential. Alas I digress, simply pulverize the graham crackers accordingly for the best performing crust;

Thinner - uniform and finer, like a coarse beach sand
Thicker - Coarsely ground, 25% of particles between a 1/4 to 3/8" in size

Back to the Recipe

Second, loosely mix the graham cracker powder with the 1/3 C sugar,

Next, combine the 6 Tbsp melted butter or oil with the graham/sugar powder until thoroughly coated.

Finally, take the mixture to your greased pie plate or baking pan, spread and compact the graham cracker mixture evenly, using a flat bottom utensil like a drinking glass or metal measuring cup. Thorough compaction will ensure the crust binds together.

For no bake dishes - Chill crust for 2 hours or until solid

For bake dishes - Blind bake in a 350 degree oven for 6 - 9 minutes to crisp surface of crust

Perfect for Banana Creme Pies

Item	Qty	Unit	Total Cost	Unit Cost	Recipe Cost	Store
Graham Crackers	10	Crackers	$6.68	$0.56	$0.56	Sams Club-4 Pack
Coconut Oil	6	Tbsp	$14.98	$0.13	$0.13	Sams Club
Sugar	1/3	Cup	$4.25	$0.44	$0.15	Sams Club
Total Shopping Cost			$25.91	Total Recipe Cost	$0.83

Save 50% compared to pre-made graham cracker crusts. For a store brand crust, it will run around $1.56 at the cheapest. As you can see above the cost for making this crust is about half of that at $0.83. Plus this was is even tastier! 

While the overall shopping trip isn't overly cheap, keep in mind that you will have more than enough ingredients to make other recipes or make up to 12 pie crusts and still have leftover sugar and coconut oil. If you plan ahead with trips like this, you may be able to make more recipes without doing any shopping.