The Perfect Key Lime Pie Recipe: Tangy, Sweet & Irresistible

Key lime pie tantalizes taste buds with its vibrant, zesty profile and creamy texture that dances between sweet and tart.

Originating from tropical regions, this dessert captures the essence of sunshine in a single slice.

Bakers appreciate its deceptively simple preparation and elegant presentation that impresses guests without requiring complex techniques.

Crisp graham cracker crusts provide a sturdy foundation for the silky, bright filling that promises rich sensory delight.

Whisked condensed milk and fresh citrus juices create a harmonious blend of smooth, intense flavors that refresh and comfort simultaneously.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of creamy richness and bright, tangy notes that awaken the palate.

Careful preparation refines basic ingredients into a dessert that feels both nostalgic and sophisticated.

Your culinary adventure promises a delectable journey into a classic summer treat that never fails to spark joy.

Key Lime Pie: What Makes It Zingy and Bright

• Create a Tropical Flavor Explosion: This Key Lime Pie bursts with zesty, tangy lime goodness that transports you straight to a sunny beach vacation with every single bite.
• Creamy Texture Perfection: The silky smooth filling combines sweetened condensed milk and sour cream, creating an incredibly luxurious and velvety mouthfeel that melts perfectly on your tongue.
• Easy Weekend Dessert Magic: Requiring just simple ingredients and basic baking skills, this recipe delivers professional-looking results with minimal effort, making it ideal for home bakers wanting to impress without stress.
• Stunning Make-Ahead Dessert: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, which means you can prepare this delightful pie in advance, allowing flavors to meld and giving you more time to enjoy with family and friends.

Key Lime Pie Ingredient List

• Graham Crackers: Classic base for pie crust with a sweet, crunchy texture and rich graham flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps bind the crust mixture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a cohesive crust that holds together.

• Key Limes: Signature citrus fruit with a tart, bright flavor unique to this pie.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy base that adds sweetness and smooth consistency to the filling.
• Egg Yolks: Provide richness and help set the filling with a silky texture.
• Sour Cream: Adds tangy flavor and helps create a creamy, smooth filling.
• Lime Zest: Intensifies lime flavor with aromatic citrus oils.

• Heavy Cream: Creates light, fluffy whipped cream with a rich texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complementary flavor to the whipped cream.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
• Lime Slice: Fresh garnish that signals the pie's key lime flavor.

Bake a Tangy Key Lime Pie

Step 1: Prepare Graham Cracker Base

• Graham crackers
• Sugar
• Butter

Crush crackers into fine crumbs. Mix in sugar, then fold in melted butter until well combined. Set aside of mixture for later topping if desired.

Step 2: Shape and Bake Crust

Press the cracker mixture into a 9-inch deep dish pie pan. Smooth it evenly across the bottom and sides. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 6-8 minutes until edges turn golden. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 3: Create Zesty Lime Filling

• Fresh limes
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Sour cream
• Egg yolks

Zest and juice the limes. In a mixer, combine lime juice, condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolks, and lime zest. Start mixing at low speed, then increase to medium-high for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens beautifully.

Step 4: Bake the Filling

Pour the lime mixture into the cooled crust. Return to the 350°F oven and bake 15-20 minutes until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Remove and let cool for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Chill and Set

Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours to allow it to firm up completely.

Step 6: Craft Dreamy Whipped Topping

• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar

Transfer to a piping bag with a star tip for an elegant finish.

Step 7: Final Flourish

• Piped whipped cream
• Extra lime zest
• Reserved graham cracker crumbs
• Fresh lime slice

• Use fresh lime juice for the brightest flavor
• Chill your mixing bowl before whipping cream for maximum volume
• Allow pie to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving for perfect texture

Serving Suggestion: Serves 8-10 pie lovers looking for a tangy, creamy dessert adventure!

Pro Tips for Key Lime Pie Success

• Choose Fresh Limes: Select ripe, bright green key limes for the most authentic and vibrant citrus flavor, avoiding bottled lime juice.
• Press Crust Evenly: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to firmly pack graham cracker crust, creating a uniform and compact base that won't crumble.
• Prevent Curdling: Gently mix filling ingredients and avoid overbeating to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without scrambled egg bits.
• Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate pie for at least 3-4 hours to allow filling to set completely and develop deeper flavor profiles.
• Garnish Strategically: Pipe whipped cream just before serving to maintain its fluffy texture and prevent weeping or deflation.

How to Store Key Lime Pie for Later

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store leftover key lime pie covered in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep pie away from strong-smelling foods to preserve its delicate flavor.
• Freezing Option: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pie maintains quality for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating Tips: Enjoy chilled pie directly from the refrigerator for best taste. If you prefer a slightly warmer slice, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soggy and compromise the pie's creamy texture.

Pairing Notes for Key Lime Pie

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Grab a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the pie's tangy lime flavor. These light, zesty wines cut through the creamy richness and enhance the dessert's bright citrus notes.
• Serve with Tropical Cocktail: Mix a refreshing mojito or key lime martini alongside the pie. The cocktail's similar lime profile will create a delightful flavor harmony that intensifies the dessert's citrusy essence.
• Cool Down with Iced Tea: Brew a cold, unsweetened green tea or a classic southern sweet tea. The tea's clean, subtle taste provides a perfect balance to the pie's sweet and tart characteristics, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Match with Vanilla Ice Cream: Scoop some creamy vanilla ice cream next to a slice of pie. The smooth, neutral ice cream softens the pie's sharp lime flavor and adds a luxurious cold contrast to the dessert's texture.

Key Lime Pie Variations You’ll Love

• Tropical Coconut Remix: Replace graham cracker crust with toasted coconut crumbs, add coconut extract to filling, and top with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical flavor profile.
• Spicy Chili Lime Edition: Incorporate a small amount of green chili powder into the filling, garnish with candied jalapeño slices for a zesty kick that balances the pie's sweetness.
• Berry Fusion Approach: Swirl fresh raspberry or strawberry puree into the filling before baking, creating a beautiful marbled effect and adding fruity complexity to the classic key lime pie.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Blend fresh basil or mint leaves into the filling, giving the pie an unexpected herbal undertone that complements the citrusy lime flavor.

Key Lime Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 51 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Key Lime Pie invites palates on a tangy tropical journey through Florida’s citrusy culinary landscape. Sweet graham cracker crust cradles silky lime custard, crowned with pillowy whipped cream that promises refreshing indulgence for summer dessert lovers.

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Ingredients

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Graham Cracker Crust:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted

Key Ingredients:

• 2 cans (14 ounces/396 grams each) sweetened condensed milk
• ¾ cup key lime juice
• 2 large egg yolks
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2–3 key limes, zested

Finishing Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) heavy whipping cream
• 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2–4 tablespoons powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 9-inch deep dish pie pan and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) for the graham cracker crust.
2. Transform graham crackers into fine, uniform crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin.
3. Melt unsalted butter and allow to cool slightly.
4. Combine graham cracker crumbs with granulated sugar, then gently fold in melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand.
5. Set aside of the crumb mixture for potential garnishing later.
6. Firmly press the remaining crumb mixture into the bottom and sides of the pie pan, creating an even layer.
7. Bake the crust for 7-9 minutes until it turns a delicate golden color, then remove and allow to cool completely.
8. Zest 3-4 key limes, ensuring to capture only the green outer layer without the bitter white pith.
9. Juice the zested key limes until you have approximately of fresh juice.
10. In a mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, egg yolks, lime juice, and lime zest.
11. Blend the mixture on low speed, then increase to medium-high for 2-3 minutes until the filling becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
12. Pour the lime filling into the cooled graham cracker crust, spreading evenly.
13. Bake for 16-18 minutes, looking for a slight jiggle in the center when gently shaken.
14. Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
15. Refrigerate the pie for a minimum of 3-4 hours to allow complete setting.
16. Chill a mixing bowl and whisk for preparing the whipped cream topping.
17. Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form, approximately 3-4 minutes.
18. Gently fold in vanilla extract and powdered sugar until the cream reaches desired consistency.
19. Transfer whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
20. Garnish the chilled pie with piped whipped cream, additional lime zest, reserved graham cracker crumbs, and a fresh lime slice.
21. Serve chilled and enjoy within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Chill all dairy ingredients before preparation to ensure a smooth, creamy filling and perfect whipped topping texture.
• Use fresh key limes for the most authentic and vibrant citrus flavor, avoiding bottled lime juice whenever possible.
• Make the graham cracker crust ahead of time and let it cool completely to prevent a soggy bottom and ensure a crisp crust.
• Avoid overmixing the filling to prevent air bubbles and maintain a silky, dense consistency when baking.
• Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours to allow the filling to set properly and develop a rich, tangy flavor profile.
• Decorate just before serving to keep the whipped cream fresh and the garnishes crisp and visually appealing.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 26 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 475 kcal
• Sugar: 48 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg