Key Lime Pie

There’s a reason why my daddy asks me to make this Key Lime Pie recipe over and over again. It’s something else y’all! It starts with a crisp, buttery homemade graham cracker crust that’s filled up with a creamy, sweet and tart filling that’s baked up and served with a whipped cream garnish. It’s so chill mode to make and such a treat to indulge in. I can’t even imagine having restaurant or store-bought key lime pie again after having this recipe.

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An overhead of a freshly baked key lime pie recipe with a slice taken out on a white plate

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My daddy’s fave pie in the world is key lime. No need to front. He absolutely loves it. And let me tell ya, it gets expensive having to indulge his cravings at restaurants where a slice the size of my pinky is 10 bucks or more. No ma’am! Not today! So what do you do to save a few pennies? You make your own at the crib and have a whole pie the family can enjoy.

What is Key Lime Pie?

This sweet and tart pie came right out of Key West, Florida, hence the name boos. Because fresh milk and refrigeration weren’t as common until the 1930’s, this pie used up a ton of pantry faves and fresh fruit like sweetened condensed milk and fresh tropical key limes. Basically a creamy custard filling that’s tart from key limes is added to a crust and baked until its set. The key limes make the difference in the flavor since they are more tart and acidic than your regular degular limes.

The Lowdown on the Best Key Lime Pie Recipe

  • Cuisine Inspiration: American Classic specifically Floridian
  • Primary Cooking Method: Whisking and Baking
  • Dietary Info: You can adapt this with a few swaps for dietary restrictions
  • Key Flavor: Tart, Sweet, Creamy, Crisp
  • Skill Level: Beginners Rejoice! No sweat, fam!

Ingredients to Make this Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

An overhead of ingredients like used key limes, egg yolks, vanilla, sweetened condensed milk and graham cracker crumbs on a white background
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: This base ingredient is gonna give our crust that perfect crunchy texture.
  • Melted Butter: This helps bind our crust together keeping it firm and adding richness.
  • Granulated Sugar: This adds just a touch of sweetness to our crust.
  • Egg Yolks: Our custardy filling needs these. They help set up our filling providing structure.
  • Condensed milk: This sweetens, smooths and creams up our filling.
  • Key lime juice: It gives the perfect amount of tangy, citrus flavor. Fresh is always best but bottled works in a pinch here.
  • Vanilla extract: This adds a nice depth of flavor and complexity.

How to Make Key Lime Pie

Step 1: Prep the Graham Cracker Crust

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then mix up the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl until combined.
  2. Add the mixture to a 9 inch pie plate and press down and around the sides until it’s all even and looking good. Let it bake up for 10 minutes..

PRO TIP: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to create a smoother, more even texture. It gives that professional look y’all.

A collage of butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs in a clear bowl before mixing and pressing into a pie plate

Step 2: Make the Filling

  1. Whisk together egg yolks, key lime juice, condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
  2. Pour filling into baked pie crust.
A collage of egg yolks, key lime juice, condensed milk and vanilla and it whisked up before adding to a baked graham cracker crust.

Step 3: Bake, Refrigerate and Decorate!

  1. Bake for 15 minutes to let that custard set up. Then let it cool to room temp.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours then garnish with whipped cream, maybe a little lime zest and serve up the best key lime pie recipe ever!

PRO TIP: Cover your crust with a little foil or a pie shield so it doesn’t brown up too quickly on that second bake!

A traditional key lime pie against a gray background with key limes in the background and a spatula to serve

How to Serve Traditional Key Lime Pie

Recipe Substitutions

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs: Replace your crumbs with crushed shortbread, vanilla wafers or any fave crumbly cookie you love!
  • Key Lime Juice: If fresh isn’t available, grab bottled.
  • Vanilla Extract: You can throw in vanilla bean paste for a super intense vanilla punch of flavor.

Recipe Additions and Variations

  • Vegan: First you gotta replace the butter with a vegan butter or margarine stick. Swap out the eggs for a vegan egg replacer. The replace the sweetened condensed milk with a vegan brand at the grocery store or make your own with 1 can of full-fat coconut milk and a 1/3 cup of sugar or maple syrup. Bring it to a boil and simmer it for 30-45 minutes, whisking every 5 minutes. Once it’s reduced and thickened, let it cool and use in place of condensed milk.
  • Don’t Throw Out the Egg Whites: Instead of topping with whipped cream, whip up a nice meringue topping. Add the egg whites with a sprinkle of sugar to a stand mixer and whip until stiff peaks form.
  • Gluten-Free: Replace the cookies with a gluten free variety. Make sure you check the labels as well.

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • Be picky about ingredients. No need to have a super involved key lime pie recipe with a ton of ingredients. Because this has under 10 ingredients total, you gotta make them count. High-quality ingredients will completely change the depth of flavor in your pie. 
  • Bake that Crust: If you skip this part, your pie crust won’t be crispy, it will be super soggy.
  • Slice it Right: In order to get nice clean slices, dip a super sharp knife into hot water then slice. Make sure to wipe the knife clean in between cuts for a super flawless finish.
  • Pay attention to crust consistency. Youโ€™ll want the crust to be even throughout the pie. Be sure to crush the graham cracks to a uniform texture and size.
  • Use a Pie Shield: Because the crust will essentially be baked up twice, make sure you guard it on that second bake so it doesn’t brown too quickly. You can either use a pie shield or use foil to cover the pie while baking the filling.

A slice of classic key lime pie being eaten on a white plate

How to Store Southern Key Lime Pie

  • Fridge: Leftovers of this easy key lime pie recipe should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: You can keep it in the freezer for up to a month.
  • Serving Again: If you froze the pie, just let it thaw on the counter for about 20 minutes before serving it up. It might need longer if its been in the freezer for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a lime and a key lime?

One of the main differences between regular limes and key limes is the size and color of the limes. Key limes are smaller and more yellow with thinner skin and more seeds.ย Key lime has a stronger, more intense taste than lime. It brings a unique zesty flavor to the key lime pie. In a pinch, you can totally substitute one for the other!ย 

What is the best way to crush graham crackers for this key lime pie recipe?

If you have a food processor, throw those cookies in there and crush them up fast. You can also add them to a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. I love to get my daughter involved in this.

My key lime pie didn’t set! What’s wrong?

You may not have let it chill long enough. You can’t rush that process. Let it set in the fridge for at least 4 hours so it can firm right on up.

My Fave Zesty Citrus Recipes

A close up of a key lime pie with slices removed

Key Lime Pie

This classic Key Lime Pie recipe features a crisp, buttery homemade graham cracker crust, creamy sweet-tart filling and whipped cream garnish!
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 8 slices

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Filling:

  • 3 large egg yolks
  • ยฝ cup key lime juice
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Optional: Whipped Cream for garnish

Instructions

For the Crust:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar in a bowl.
  • Pour the mixture into a 9 inch pie plate and press down into the plate and around the sides. Bake for 10 minutes to set.

For the Filling:

  • Whisk together egg yolks, key lime juice, condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
  • Pour filling into baked pie crust.
  • Bake for 15 minutes until set then let rest until it cools to room temperature.
  • Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, garnish with whipped cream if desired and serve.

Video

Notes

How to Store Your Key Lime Pie
  • Fridge: Leftovers of this easy key lime pie recipe should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: You can keep it in the freezer for up to a month.
  • Serving Again: If you froze the pie, just let it thaw on the counter for about 20 minutes before serving it up. It might need longer if its been in the freezer for a while.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 468IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 1mg
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Filed Under:  Dessert and Baking, Father's Day, Oven, Pies

Comments

  1. Instead of having to cook down the coconut milk and sugar, would a can of sweetened condensed coconut milk be a non-dairy substitute for the sweetened condensed milk?

  2. I would love to know if there’s a sugar free substitute for condensed milk? My dad is diabetic and loves key lime pie.

    1. Yes I’ve seen some sugar free condensed milk recipes online that would be a good replacement to try.

  3. gorgeous, and love the tartness in key lime pies to cut the sweetness, and nice from scratch crust too, thank you!

  4. This was so flavorful and when your a big fan of key lime pie like we are!!! this will be the best addition to my collection of recipes!

  5. I lived in Florida for many years and that’s where I learned to love key lime pie. It truly is a taste of Florida.

5 from 7 votes

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