Our dessert cups are made with whipped topping (or of course, you can use a homemade whipped cream), instant pudding, and poured into a graham cracker style crust.
I am a big fan of easy icebox-style pies and no-bake is a win-win when I am always busy making a big dinner, especially on our Sunday Traditional Italian Sauce dinners.
This crazy name for this dessert came from watching the movie The "Godfather" When they invented that famous alcoholic Godfather drink we decided to make a hot coffee beverage (shown in the recipe card below and this dessert filling) for all the women in the family.
The men enjoyed both so much it became a family favorite dessert all year long along with of course our Baked Cannoli Pie.
This dessert topped with a drizzle of our favorite Kahlua hot fudge sauce makes this over-the-top yummy.
This is one of those desserts everyone thinks it's gourmet because it's so rich and decadent but oh so easy peasy.
If you love no-bake easy pies, you may also like to try our No-Bake Pineapple Fluff Pie which is very versatile you can use any fruit you like!.
Scroll down to the recipe card to print off this easy recipe and don't forget to try our version of "The Godmother Hot Cappucino" recipe also below.
Ice Box Desserts
If you were wondering how this recipe came about, it dates back to the 1980s when the movie The Godfather came out dabbling with ideas watching that movie. and needed something super easy to make and fast not to miss anything but Italian style in flavors.
We always made icebox cake which of course is similar to using graham crackers and pudding in it even though back in the 1960s we used graham crackers but always cooked puddings and then topped it with real whipped cream which you can still use in this recipe.
The family gatherings back then were always around 20 people at the table and we all got together every Sunday for a huge meal and never had room for dessert, so it was jello pie or chocolate cream icebox pie.
Shopping List (to get full recipe scroll to the bottom and hit prints to remove ads and get free recipes)
- instant vanilla pudding
- instant espresso
- whipped topping
- graham crackers either regular cinnamon or chocolate
- butter
- refer to the recipe card for garnish suggestions
Suggestions and Tips
- use premade mini graham cracker crust or 9-inch pie shells premade
- any instant pudding flavor you prefer will work
- always refrigerate the dessert at least an hour before serving
- garnish with chopped pistachios and cherries for holiday colors
- top with ice cream toppings warmed
- keep leftovers in the refrigerator
- use real whipped cream and cooked pudding for the icebox original style
Other No-Bake Recipes We Love
Strawberry Cream Pie
Best Cannoli Pie
No-Bake Cheese Pie
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Decadent No-Bake Pie
If you love the taste of coffee or are an espresso lover, this super easy cappuccino cup or pie is perfect for you.
It's not too filling and tight and is the perfect ending to Italian meals.
For a perfect topping and a little more indulgent try our Kahlua Hot Fudge on top (for adults only), it's truly decadent.
Don't forget to try our hot alcohol drink in the recipe card below it's delicious also and for non-alcohol just use the flavored syrups available!
No Bake Godmother Cappuccino Cups
Yield: 10
Prep time: 10 MinInactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M
Our easy, no-bake pie uses French vanilla instant pudding and cinnamon graham cracker crust.
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 1 sleeve cinnamon-flavored graham crackers or chocolate or use plain put through the food processor (if using chocolate add a little pinch of cinnamon to the crackers if desired)
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- Note: you can also use premade chocolate or regular graham cracker pie shells sprinkled with cinnamon before adding the filling. You can also use mini pre-made graham cracker pie shells.
- Filling:
- 1 small box of instant vanilla pudding
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee granules
- 1 cup cold milk (for more coffee flavor add have brewed coffee and half milk)
- 1 - 8-ounce container of frozen whipped topping, thawed, and more for topping garnish
- Optional: 2 tablespoons Frangelico, or Amaretto drizzle on top
- Optional toppings:
- chopped pistachios, maraschino cherries, mini chocolate chips, more whipped topping, chocolate curls or
- hot fudge ice cream topping warm for garnish on top
- Plastic dessert cups of around 8 ounces each
- real whipped cream
Instructions
- Crust:
- Put the crackers (unless using a pre-made pie shell) in the food processor with melted butter and pulse until coarse-looking then set aside.
- Cappucino Pie Filling:
- In a medium bowl combine pudding mix and espresso coffee granules.
- Add milk, and combine until smooth looking and blended around 2 minutes.
- If using alcohol add in this step.
- Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Assembly:
- Put some of the graham crackers into the dessert cups or
- spoon the filling into the pie crust.
- Refrigerate until at least another hour before serving.
- Garnish pie with chopped pistachios, maraschino cherries chopped, mini chocolate chips, more whipped topping, chocolate curls or
- hot fudge ice cream topping warm for garnish on top
- The Godmother Hot Cappucino
- 5 oz Amaretto
- 5 oz Frangelico
- Hot Coffee
- Cream or half/half to taste
- Whipped Cream on top for garnish
- Directions:
- Pour in all ingredients, except for the Cream into an Irish Style Coffee mug. Stir well. Garnish with whipped cream and sliced almonds drizzle a little Amaretto over the top.
Notes:
Suggestions and Tips
- use premade mini graham cracker crust or 9-inch pie shells premade
- any instant pudding flavor you prefer will work
- always refrigerate the dessert at least an hour before serving
- garnish with chopped pistachios and cherries for holiday colors
- top with ice cream toppings warmed
- keep leftovers in the refrigerator
- use real whipped cream and cooked pudding for the icebox original style
Nutrition Facts
Calories
111.68Fat (grams)
5.90Sat. Fat (grams)
4.21Carbs (grams)
13.46Fiber (grams)
0.37Net carbs
13.09Sugar (grams)
10.81Protein (grams)
1.88Sodium (milligrams)
48.19Cholesterol (grams)
6.75Pin for later
More Easy Recipes We Love
Lady Finger Lemon Dessert
Old Fashioned Banana Pudding
Eggless Tiramisu