Key Lime Pie
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Posted: 06/17/24
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Indulge in the tangy and sweet flavors of Key Lime Pie with this simple and delicious recipe, perfect for any occasion and easy enough for beginners to make – the creamy filling and buttery crust are a match made in dessert heaven!
Key lime pie is the ultimate summer time dessert! This incredibly easy recipe makes the most creamy and tangy pie that is just loaded with flavor. From the crumbly graham cracker crust to the smooth and creamy key lime filling, everything about this recipe is downright drool-worthy.
Key lime pies and lemon meringue pie cheesecake are two of my favorite desserts during the summer. The tart citrus paired with creamy ingredients is just too yummy to resist! It’s a dessert that’s not too rich, but not too light — it’s juuust right! This is truly the best key lime pie recipe and is really easy to make, even for beginners. So grab those graham cracker crumbs, and the rest of your pie ingredients, and let’s get started.
Why You’ll Love this Key Lime Pie Recipe
- This is a wonderful make-ahead recipe since it needs to chill for a few hours anyway. Prep it the day before you need it and then dessert is ready to go!
- Key lime pie is always a crowd favorite which makes it great for parties, cookouts and any other gathering. It’ll go fast though, so make sure you’ve got plenty.
- Everything is made from scratch, even the crust. So this easy key lime pie recipe has out of this world flavor.
Ingredients Key Lime Pie
- Graham cracker crumbs – To make a buttery, crumbly graham cracker crust, you’ll need finely crushed graham crackers.
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar will add a yummy caramel-like flavor to your pie crust.
- Melted butter – Use melted butter to help bring together the dry ingredients to make the pie crust.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Make the most delicious key lime pie filling with sweetened condensed milk.
- Light sour cream – My secret ingredient to the most creamy filling is light sour cream! You could also use some Greek yogurt.
- Key lime juice – Juice fresh key limes to make a tangy and flavorful filling.
- Lime zest – Using both lime zest and fresh lime juice will ensure the most flavorful filling!
- Heavy whipping cream – Grab some heavy whipping cream to make a fresh whipped cream topping.
- Powdered sugar – Sweeten the whipped cream topping with some powdered sugar.
- Vanilla extract – For a little extra depth of flavor, throw a splash of vanilla extract into the whipped cream!
Helpful Tools
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pie dish
- Citrus zester
- Citrus juicer
How to Make Key Lime Pie
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then begin prepping the graham cracker crust.
Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a small bowl until it resembles wet sand. Press the crumb mixture into a 9 inch pie dish and bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven.
Once baked, allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.
Keep the oven on and preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest in a medium bowl.
Pour the mixture into the prepared graham cracker crust and bake for 10 minutes. Let the pie cool slightly before chilling. Chill for at least 3 hours.
Just before serving, beat together the heavy cream and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Add then vanilla and beat it in until mixed.
Spread or pipe the whipped cream topping on top of the cooled pie and then garnish with additional lime zest if desired.
How to Store Homemade Key Lime Pie
FRIDGE: Tightly wrap the pie dish in plastic wrap and then store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FREEZER: You can actually freeze leftover key lime pie too! Just place the pie, uncovered, in the freezer for about 2 hours. Then wrap it very tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place into a freezer bag if it will fit. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight.
Why is it called a key lime?
This bright flavored citrus fruit is named after the Florida keys, where they are most historically grown in the U.S. Key limes are smaller in size, have a higher acidity content and a very strong aroma. Their flavor is different than regular limes, which is what makes key lime pie so tasty!
Can I store-bought pie crust?
While I personally prefer a homemade graham cracker crust, you can absolutely use store-bought if you need to save some time. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture will be different than a crust made from scratch.
Pro Tips for the Best Easy Key Lime Pie
- Be careful not to over-bake your crust! It won’t take long to bake and over-baking can result in a really crumbly crust.
- It is VERY important to let the crust cool before adding the filling and let the filling cool before your decorate with whipped topping.
- For ease of storage, slice your key lime pie and freeze the individual slices instead of an entire pie.
If you love this key lime pie, then you’ve gotta check out my no bake banana cream pie too. Gimme ALL the delicious pie recipes!!
More Summer Dessert Recipes!
- Combine the best features of this recipe and cheesecake with this No Bake Key Lime Cheesecake.
- This Lemon Lush Dessert is citrusy, creamy, and so easy to make! A favorite for all your summer cookouts.
- Need a quick and easy sheet cake? Then check out this Strawberry Lemon Cake.
- There’s nothing quite like a cold Root Beer Float on a hot summer day. A wonderful summer dessert recipe!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Key Lime Pie
Indulge in the tangy and sweet flavors of key lime pie with this simple and delicious recipe. Perfect for any occasion and easy enough for beginners to make!
Video
Ingredients
Graham cracker crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 8 Tablespoons butter melted
Key Lime Filling
- 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup light sour cream
- ¾ cup key lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons lime zest
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Graham cracker crust
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a small bowl. Press the crumb mixture into a 9 inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes in preheated oven. Cool for at least 30 minutes.
Key Lime Filling
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest in a medium bowl. Pour into the prepared graham cracker crust and bake for 10 minutes.
- Let the pie cool slightly before chilling. Chill for at least 3 hours.
Whipped Cream Topping
- Beat heavy cream and sugar together in a mixer until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla. Spread or pipe the whipped cream on top of the cooled pie. Top with additional lime zest if desired.
Tips
FRIDGE: Tightly wrap the pie dish in plastic wrap and then store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FREEZER: You can actually freeze leftover key lime pie too! Just place the pie, uncovered, in the freezer for about 2 hours. Then wrap it very tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place into a freezer bag if it will fit. Freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 436kcal (22%), Carbohydrates: 54g (18%), Protein: 7g (14%), Fat: 23g (35%), Saturated Fat: 14g (88%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 68mg (23%), Sodium: 228mg (10%), Potassium: 331mg (9%), Fiber: 0.4g (2%), Sugar: 46g (51%), Vitamin A: 741IU (15%), Vitamin C: 7mg (8%), Calcium: 231mg (23%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
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