This key lime pie recipe is a classic. Four ingredients for the filling and three ingredients for the crust. Get rave reviews about your pie that was easy to make.
There are affiliate & ad links throughout this website. I will receive a commission. More information in the about us section.
Tropical Key Lime Pie
Make a traditional key lime pie. Bring the tropics home with this pie recipe. It just tastes like summer; however it is delicious anytime of year, even for the holiday table. Make the graham cracker crust, mix the filling, bake 15 minutes and serve with whipped topping and lime zest. So light, tangy, and refreshing.
Yes, it is possible to make a key lime pie with four ingredients and ordinary limes.
There are so many classic recipes like this one here. I am sharing another one of our family favorites with you. The taste is so creamy and luscious with a bit of tang. It is incredibly EASY to make too. Even if you are new to baking, you can master this recipe. It is simple and fool-proof.
This recipe comes out perfect every time.
Traditional Flour Pie Crust Versus Graham Cracker Pie Crust
While I show this pie with a graham cracker crust, you could certainly make this with a traditional pie crust too. Here is my traditional pie crust recipe. You can certainly use a traditional pie crust; however, our family prefers the buttery flavor of the graham cracker crust with this key lime pie. To us, it just tastes great together.
The homemade graham cracker crust is so easy to make too.
Lime Juice
While it is nice to be able to use key limes for this pie, if you are not able to find them, by all means, you can use bottled key lime juice to make this recipe. You would not have the lime to zest of course; however, you will still have a very tasty and successful pie that is a crowd pleaser.
Juicing Limes
This recipe is perfect for using fresh limes. However, the right tools with help you get the most juice out of the lime. First microwave for 10 seconds. This will help release the lime juices before it is even cut open.
Second, use a juicer. While you can use a hand-held juicer like this one, which is a best seller on Amazon. I prefer this juicer and for limes, lemons, and oranges. It is easy on the hands, and catches the juice perfectly. It is called a jar juicer. Just place it on a mason jar and you are good to go.
Even better, it does not take up too much room in my kitchen gadget section. I have a small kitchen, so the tools that I keep in my kitchen must be used often if I am going to make a storage place for it.
Doesn’t this Key Lime Pie look yummy?
Between the buttery and crunchy crust, tangy custard filling, and the essential creamy topping- no dessert can rival key lime pie!
How to Make Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie has a few simple steps. I love making it in the summer when all I want to do is spend time outside.
- Make the Crust: Use a food processor to get a nice fine graham cracker crumb or get it already done in the grocery. Combine with melted butter and sugar, then press tightly into a pie dish.
- Pre-Bake the Crust: Pre-bake the crust before pouring in the key lime filling. Pre-baking solidifies the crust and allows for easy slicing once the pie is ready to serve.
- Make the Filling: Whisk together the few filling ingredients– it will be starting to thicken. Pour into the warm crust.
- Bake the Pie: Key lime pie bakes for only 15 minutes. Once completely cool, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour prior to serving.
- Garnish: I like to garnish this with fresh whipping cream and a bit of lime zest.
Simply the Best Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- 1 1/4 Cup graham crackers Ground fine
- 5 Tbl. Melted Butter
- 1/3 Cup granulated sugar
Key Lime Pie Filling
- 4 Egg Yolks slightly beaten
- 14 Oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk (1 can)
- 2/3 Cup Fresh Lime Juice (you could use the lime juice in the container too)
- 1 Lime Zested
Whip Cream Topping
- 1 Cup whipping cream
- 2 Tbl. confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- In a medium sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and the sugar, mixing to incorporate the sugar throughout the graham crackers.
- Melt butter and add to the graham cracker and sugar mixture. Stir to combine.
- Transfer to a 9 inch pie plate.
- Press crumbs firmly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate. As I noted, it is easier to use the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Bake it at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes. Let cool and add your ingredients.
Key Lime Pie Filling
- While the graham cracker crust is resting and cooling, in a medium-size mixing bowl, whip the egg yolks until they are a light lighter in color and slightly frothy.
- Add the lime zest and the sweetened condensed milk, continue to mix until thick. Approximately 3 minutes.
- Add the lime juice a little at a time and continue mixing at a lower speed until incorporated.
- Pour mixture into the pie crust and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Once the pie has been cooling approximately 20 minutes, it should be cool enough to add the whip cream topping.
Whip Cream Topping
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the whip cream and mix until the cream is holding its shape. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract. Continue to mix until stiff peaks form.
- You can serve on the side, add a dallop on top when serving, use a pastry bag to pipe a fancy design on the pie, or spread it over the top of the pie. No matter which way you decide, it is just one more element that makes this pie taste wonderful.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Your Own Private Notes
Video
Notes
Nutrition
A few of my favorite things
The Power of Positivity
If you loved this post, please share. It helps to show me that these types of posts are helpful – thank you!
I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has worked in restaurants for many years. Her many crochet patterns and quilt patterns are enjoyed by many. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.