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Dessert Recipes

Root Beer Float Pie

This root beer float pie is a no bake frozen dessert made with root beer, vanilla pudding, and whipped topping in a graham cracker crust.

Prep
15 min
Serves
8 slices
Calories
290
Root Beer Float Pie

This root beer float pie takes everything you love about a classic root beer float and turns it into a creamy, no bake frozen dessert. Vanilla pudding gets whisked with real root beer, evaporated milk, and root beer concentrate for that true float flavor, then folded with whipped topping and frozen in a graham cracker crust.

Root beer float pie topped with whipped cream and maraschino cherries

It’s an easy make ahead pie that’s perfect for summer cookouts, birthday parties, or anytime you want that nostalgic soda fountain flavor without a spoon and a glass.

What You Need for This Root Beer Float Pie

  • Instant vanilla pudding forms the creamy base of the filling.
  • Cold root beer brings the classic float flavor right into the pudding mixture.
  • Evaporated milk adds richness and helps the filling set with a smooth texture.
  • Root beer concentrate intensifies the root beer flavor beyond what soda alone can do.
  • Whipped topping, thawed and divided, folds into the filling and tops the finished pie.
  • A graham cracker crust is classic and so easy with a premade.
  • Maraschino cherries finish the pie with that classic root beer float garnish.
root beer float pie ingredients

How to Make This Frozen Root Beer Pie

Add the pudding, root beer, evaporated milk, and root beer concentrate to a mixing bowl and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth. Refrigerate for 5 minutes.

Whisked root beer pudding filling for root beer float pie

Reserve 1/2 cup of whipped topping and set it aside in the refrigerator. Fold the remaining whipped topping into the pudding mixture and spread it into the graham cracker crust. Cover and freeze overnight.

Root beer float pie filling spread into a graham cracker crust

When ready to serve, remove the pie from the freezer and top with the reserved whipped topping and cherries. If desired, pipe the whipped topping on using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip before topping with cherries. Serve.

Serves 8.

Overhead view of root beer float pie sliced and topped with cherries

Tips for the Best Root Beer Float Pie

This pie is good frozen or slightly thawed. I tested it both ways, and either texture works well. If you prefer it a little softer, it thaws quickly, usually within 10 to 15 minutes depending on how warm your kitchen is.

Keep it cold until serving. Since it thaws fast, especially on a hot day, it’s best to leave the pie in the freezer or fridge until right before you plan to serve it. Setting the pie pan into a larger dish filled with ice is also a good way to help it hold its texture a little longer once it’s out.

Look for naturally colored cherries. Cherries made without the bright artificial red dye are a good option if you’re trying to avoid heavily dyed ingredients, and they still give the pie that classic root beer float look on top.

Slice of root beer float pie on a plate with whipped cream and cherry

More Frozen and No Bake Pie Recipes to Try

If you love a make ahead, no bake dessert like this one, you’ll want to check out our grasshopper pie recipe, a creamy frozen mint pie with an Oreo crust. Our lemonade pie is another frozen favorite with a bright, citrusy twist.

For more classic pie inspiration, browse our cherry pie filling recipes or try our southern sweet potato pie for a traditional baked option.

Fork holding a bite of root beer float pie on a plate

Ingredients

8 slices

Steps

  1. 1

    Add pudding, root beer, evaporated milk, and root beer concentrate to a mixing bowl and whisk for 2 minutes until smooth. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes to allow to firm a bit.

  2. 2

    Reserve 1/2 cup of whipped topping and set aside in the refrigerator.

  3. 3

    Fold remaining whipped topping into the pudding mixture and spread into the graham cracker crust. Cover and freeze overnight.

  4. 4

    When ready to serve, remove pie from the freezer and top with reserved whipped topping and cherries. If desired, put whipped topping into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto the pie. Top with cherries and serve.

Nutrition

Calories
290

Estimates for one serving.

Filed under Dessert Recipes No Bake Desserts

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