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Home » Baking

No-Bake Bourbon Butterscotch Pie

Published: Oct 29, 2025 by Jessica Morone · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Overhead shot of full bourbon butterscotch pie

When the weather starts to cool down and the air smells faintly of cinnamon and leaves, I crave cozy desserts that feel rich and comforting, and this No-Bake Bourbon Butterscotch Pie is exactly that. It's silky, sweet, and full of that classic butterscotch flavor, with a splash of bourbon that adds warmth and depth. The best part? It's completely no-bake, which means it's as easy as whisk, pour, and chill.

This pie is a dream for fall gatherings, dinner parties, or those times you just want an impressive dessert without turning on the oven. It also happens to be a perfect make-ahead option for Thanksgiving, freeing up precious oven space for the main event.

Close up slice of butterscotch pie

Why You'll Love This Pie

  • No baking required: This uses a store bought graham cracker crust, so you just mix, pour, and chill. No oven is needed! You CAN pre-bake the crust for some more stability, but it isn't necessary.
  • Make-ahead friendly: The pie sets in the fridge and is even better the next day.
  • Rich, cozy flavor: Butterscotch and bourbon make the perfect fall combo.
  • Perfect for holidays: It's festive, simple, and guaranteed to impress guests.
Overhead shot of butterscotch pie and slice of pie

Ingredients for Butterscotch Pie

  • Graham Cracker Crust: A buttery, sweet base that complements the butterscotch filling and keeps this recipe totally fuss-free.
  • Instant Butterscotch Pudding Mix: The star of the pie! It gives you that smooth, caramel-like flavor with no cooking required.
  • Cold Milk: Helps the pudding set to that perfect creamy texture, but make sure it's cold so it thickens properly.
  • Bourbon: Adds warmth and depth, balancing the sweetness with a subtle kick of flavor that makes this pie special.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the butterscotch flavor and rounds everything out.
  • Butterscotch Chips or Toasted Pecans: A fun add-in for texture.
  • Heavy Cream: The base of your homemade whipped cream, adding lightness and richness.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without making it grainy.
  • More Bourbon + Vanilla: Infuses the whipped cream with the same warm notes as the filling for a perfectly balanced finish.
Close up image on the side of a slice of bourbon butterscotch pie

How to Make No-Bake Bourbon Butterscotch Pie

Step 1: Make the Butterscotch Filling
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the instant butterscotch pudding mix and cold milk. Whisk in the bourbon and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in the butterscotch chips or toasted pecans if using.

Step 2: Make the Bourbon Whipped Cream
In a separate bowl, beat the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, bourbon, and vanilla together with a hand mixer or a stand mixer until soft peaks form.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie
Pour the butterscotch filling into the graham cracker crust and smooth the top. Spread or pipe the bourbon whipped cream evenly over the filling.

Step 4: Chill and Set
Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until fully set and chilled.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Right before serving, garnish with extra butterscotch chips, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a pretty finish. Keep any leftovers refrigerated.

overhead image of bourbon butterscotch pie and a slice of pie

FAQ

Can I make this pie without bourbon?
Yes! If you'd like a non-alcoholic version, simply replace the bourbon with an equal amount of milk, or add a teaspoon of caramel or maple extract for a similar rich flavor.

Can I use a homemade crust instead of store-bought?
Definitely. A homemade graham cracker crust or even a chocolate cookie crust would be delicious here. You can also bake the crust if you prefer it to be less crumbly, just make sure it's completely cool before adding the filling.

How far in advance can I make this pie?
You can make the pie up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep it covered and refrigerated, and add the whipped cream right before serving for the freshest texture.

Print

No-Bake Bourbon Butterscotch Pie

A slice of bourbon butterscotch pie on a plate
Print Recipe

A creamy, no-bake bourbon butterscotch pie made with instant pudding, butterscotch chips, and homemade bourbon whipped cream in a buttery graham cracker crust. This make-ahead dessert is perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy fall celebration.

  • Author: JessLovesBaking
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Scale
1 (9-inch) store-bought graham cracker crust

2 (1 oz) boxes instant butterscotch pudding mix

2 cups cold milk

2 tablespoons bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup butterscotch chips (or toasted chopped pecans - or leave them out if you prefer a smooth filling)

For the Bourbon Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream, cold

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 tablespoon bourbon

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Garnish

Butterscotch chips

Crushed toffee bits

Caramel drizzle

Instructions

  1. Make the Butterscotch Filling: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the butterscotch pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until it begins to thicken. Add the bourbon and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth and creamy. Stir in the butterscotch chips or toasted pecans if using.

  2. Make the Bourbon Whipped Cream: In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, bourbon, and vanilla together until soft peaks form.

  3. Assemble the Pie: Pour the butterscotch filling into the graham cracker crust and spread evenly. Top with the bourbon whipped cream, spreading or piping it over the filling.

  4. Chill and Set: Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until fully set and chilled.

  5. Serve and Enjoy: Before serving, garnish with extra butterscotch chips, toasted nuts, or a drizzle of caramel sauce if desired. Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

  • If you'd like to make this pie non-alcoholic, replace the bourbon in both the filling and whipped cream with an equal amount of milk, or use caramel or maple extract for flavor.

  • The pie firms up beautifully after chilling, making it ideal for making a day ahead.

  • For an extra pretty finish, pipe the whipped cream on top before chilling.

  • This bourbon pie has a rich, buttery flavor with a touch of warmth that makes it the perfect fall or holiday butterscotch pie.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us - we can't wait to see what you've made!

Other Recipes to Try:

  • No-Bake Oreo Pie
  • Bourbon Apple Butter Recipe
  • Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Cookies


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Welcome!

I'm Jessica Morone and I love cooking and baking. I live in NJ and Iike to spend my free time coming up with new recipes and sharing them. I am also a food photographer, and all images on this website are my own.

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