Key Lime Pie Recipe + Video
This classic Key Lime Pie recipe is smooth and creamy, tart yet sweet, and super easy to make! Top it with freshly sweetened whipped cream for the perfect bite!
Key Lime Pie is one of my absolute favorite desserts! When I first made this key lime pie recipe in a bakery that I worked in, I was hooked! It’s so easy, and packed with citrus flavor!
There’s just something about a classic, no-frills recipe, that makes a huge impact on us. Sometimes simple is better.
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First, is the graham cracker crust. Crushed graham crackers, a little sugar, and butter to bind it. So easy! You could definitely cheat and use a store-bought crust if you are pressed for time, but the homemade crust is quite simple.
Next is the key lime pie filling. Zest is optional. I like it, but others might not. Totally up to you! As for the juice, key limes are much smaller than regular limes, but they pack a powerful punch of tart lime flavor. If you aren’t up for juicing a bunch of tiny limes (like 12+ key limes), then I recommend Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice.
After you have your lime juice, you simply mix it with sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and a pinch of salt. It thickens up for a great creamy filling.
Start to finish this pie takes like 30 minutes. That’s another reason why I love it so much. You do need to chill it, but it’s a fast pie to make!
I like to top my key lime pie with sweetened whipped cream. It rounds out the tartness and creates the perfect bite. Enjoy my friends!
Key Lime Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Crust:
- 12 graham crackers, (full sheets)
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 6-7 Tbsp (85-99 g) butter
Filling:
- 28 oz (792 g) sweetened condensed milk, (two 14-oz cans; I use fat-free)
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp key lime zest, (about 5-6 key limes) optional
- ¾ cup (177 ml) key lime juice, (12-18 key limes, depending on size)
Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup (237 ml) heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a food processor, crush graham crackers until they resemble fine crumbs. Add 1 Tbsp of sugar. Melt 6 Tbsp butter and add to crumbs. (If any crumbs are still dry, melt 1 more Tbsp of butter and add to crumbs.) Press evenly in the bottom of a standard 9-inch pie dish. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a medium bowl, just before crust is done, combine all filling ingredients with a whisk until well blended and thick. Pour into hot crust and bake an additional 10-12 minutes until filling is solid when jiggled in the pan.
- Cool completely and then refrigerate for 3 hours, or until chilled. Top with whipped cream before serving. (Whisk heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar in a stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Dollop or pipe onto top of pie.)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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One of the best Key Lime Recipes I’ve tried. And, I’ve tried a lot of versions. Seriously, easy and delicious. I made my Key Lime Pie the day before we planned on eating is and the flavors melded perfectly!
Follow the recipe (don’t substitute ingredients) and the end result will be perfect.
Thanks Connie! Your comment means a lot to me. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with the recipe.