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    Home » Recipes » Pies & Tarts

    Key Lime Pie

    Published: May 20, 2019 · Last modified: Jan 22, 2023 by Leslie Kiszka / This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.2 from 6 votes
    Key Lime Pie | Stress Baking

    This key lime pie is tart, sweet, creamy and easy to make! Only four ingredients in the easy key lime filling and three ingredients for the graham cracker crust.

    Key Lime Pie slices on a blue and white dish towel

    I have a confession to make: I never liked key lime pie. I love basically anything else lime-flavored, but key lime pie was always a no-go for me.

    I’ve never been able to pinpoint exactly what it is that I don’t care for, and I’ve tried all sorts of various kinds served in restaurants, made by friends… I just couldn’t get on board. Until now.

    I think this is the best key lime pie recipe. Even I will sit down and happily chomp away at a creamy slice of this pie!

    Key Lime Pie with a lime and zester
    Key Lime Pie

    Key lime pie is always a hit

    I’ve had a ton of different taste testers over the years and this is the recipe that people rave about.

    I’ve made mini key lime pies for Friendsgiving celebrations, I’ve made key lime pie bars for work parties, and I’ve made it in its original key lime pie form (like you’ll see in this post). Every time it’s been a hit.

    I once made the pie for a Fourth of July party where there was going to be ten people, so I sliced them into sixteen smaller slices (since it’s usually eight slices). I showed up and put it in the fridge, walked away for about fifteen minutes to say hi to everyone, and by the time I came back to the kitchen to help setup there was one sliver left.

    Key Lime Pie slices on a blue and white dish towel

    What’s the difference between limes and key limes?

    I’ve always wondered what the heck the difference is between limes and key limes, so I did a little research and here’s what I learned:

    • The limes you usually see in grocery stores are called persian limes, and actually turn yellow when they’re fully ripe, but they’re only sold when they’re still green.
    • Key limes are slightly more yellow in color, and used to be more prevalent in the United States before the 1920s when a hurricane wiped out many of the groves. 
    • Key limes are smaller, tarter, and their juice is more aromatic and intense.
    • And the zest of a key lime has more… well, zest, than a persian lime. 

    Can I use bottled lime juice?

    Key limes are harder to find in stores, but don’t despair! Most stores sell bottled Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key Lime Juice, so if you can’t get your hands on key limes you can still make key lime pie. 

    Now – let’s make some pie, shall we?

    Key Lime Pie

    Making the graham cracker crust

    The crust is super easy if you have a food processor, and still easy if you don’t!

    1. Either pulse your graham crackers in a food processor or crush them in a large resealable bag with a rolling pin, and then pour them into a large bowl.
    2. Add melted butter and granulated sugar, and stir to combine.
    3. Press the mixture into a 9″ pie pan and bake it for 8-9 minutes.

    That’s it!

    Step by step photos of making a graham cracker crust

    Making the key lime pie filling

    Making the filling is also all sorts of easy:

    1. You’ll combine egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and lime zest in a large bowl.
    2. Either use a hand mixer on low speed to combine, or just whisk it by hand until it’s all combined.
    3. Pour it into your prepared crust. 

    The end.

    Step by step photos of making key lime pie filling

    Once everything is ready to go, you’ll throw it back in the oven until the filling is mostly set and the center is just a little bit jiggly (for me it’s always 20 minutes). 

    Let it cool on a wire rack and then store it in the fridge until you’re ready to decorate it!

    Key Lime Pie

    Decorating key lime pie

    I don’t think you need to invest time in some fancy key lime pie decoration. I love making my mascarpone whipped cream to pipe around the border, and then add thin, quartered lime slices. People have commented that having a less-sweet whipped cream on top creates a really nice balance between the sweet and tart pie.

    And if you’ve never had my mascarpone whipped cream, it’s my favorite thing and I want to put it on absolutely everything. It’s less sweet than your typical canned whipped cream, and it’s stabilized so it won’t fall apart on you once you’ve piped it (but it’s not stiff like buttercream).

    How to store key lime pie

    Store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3 days.

    Can I freeze key lime pie?

    Without decorations or garnish, wrap the pie in two layers of plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Key Lime Pie
    Key Lime Pie

    So once your pie has cooled, you could decorate it with the whipped cream ahead of time to save yourself a few minutes before serving.

    I’m also a big fan of a big dollop of whipped cream with a cute little twist of lime right in the center. Then I add some fresh lime zest all over the top, and we’re all set.

    It makes a pretty presentation, don’t you think?

    Key Lime Pie slices on a blue and white dish towel

    How many slices does this recipe make?

    You can slice it into 8 slices, or – if you’re better and slicing pan than me – you can manage to get 16 thinner slices out of it. 

    Or you can just slice it in half, lift one side onto a plate and hand the pie plate with the other half to your significant other and call it a day. I’m not here to judge.

    I recommend using a 9″ pan, because it gives you a decently thick crust and filling with some height. We’re not talking Cheesecake Factory towering heights or anything, but it’s respectable.

    Key Lime Pie slices on a blue and white dish towel

    Does anyone else feel like they’re really bad at cutting pie? I am consistently terrible at it. The cuts are never straight, I lose part of the crust along the way, and they always just look… weird.

    I really don’t know why this is so difficult for me. If you have some pie-cutting magic, please share it with me so I can stop being so bad at this.

    Case in point:

    Key Lime Pie slice on a blue and white dish towel

    Sharing is caring, so invite a friend over to help you demolish the pan.

    I’m including the below picture because I think that piece of pie looks like a little lime-eared bunny and it makes me laugh.

    LOOK AT ITS LITTLE WHIPPED CREAM NOSE. I slay me.

    Key Lime Pie slices on a blue and white dish towel

    FAQs

    How do I store key lime pie?

    Store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3 days.

    Can I freeze key lime pie?

    Without decorations or garnish, wrap the pie in two layers of plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    What’s the difference between limes and key limes?

    The limes you usually see in grocery stores are called persian limes, and actually turn yellow when they’re fully ripe, but they’re only sold when they’re still green.

    Key limes are slightly more yellow in color, and used to be more prevalent in the United States before the 1920s when a hurricane wiped out many of the groves. 

    Key limes are smaller, tarter, and their juice is more aromatic and intense.

    And the zest of a key lime has more… well, zest, than a persian lime. 

    Can I use bottled lime juice?

    Key limes are harder to find in stores, but don’t despair! Most stores sell bottled Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key Lime Juice, so if you can’t get your hands on key limes you can still make key lime pie. 

    How many slices does this recipe make?

    You can slice it into 8 slices, or you can manage to get 16 thinner slices out of it. 

    After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!

    Key Lime Pie

    Key Lime Pie

    4.17 from 6 votes
    This key lime pie is tart, sweet, creamy and easy to make! Only four ingredients in the key lime filling and three ingredients for the graham cracker crust.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Chill time 1 hour
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
    Servings 8 slices
        ✓ Read the recipe from beginning to end
          ✓ Check oven calibration
            ✓ Check expiration dates
              ✓ Properly measure ingredients
                ✓ Check butter temperature

    Ingredients
     
     

    Graham Cracker Crust:

    • 1 ½ cups graham crackers, ground in crumbs (about 12 sheets)
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

    Key Lime Filling:

    • 4 egg yolks
    • 2 14 ounce cans full-fat sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 cup key lime juice, fresh squeezed or bottled
    • Zest of 2 limes, about 2 tablespoons

    Toppings (optional, but encouraged):

    • Mascarpone whipped cream, or your favorite recipe
    • Lime slices
    • Lime zest

    Instructions
     

    Crust:

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • In a food processor, pulse graham crackers until they form small crumbs.
      1 ½ cups graham crackers
    • In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter and stir until combined.
      ⅓ cup granulated sugar | 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9″ pie dish. Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Set aside, and leave the oven on – you’ll need it soon!

    Filling:

    • In a large bowl, used a hand mixer on low speed to combine egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and lime zest. You can also whisk by hand if desired.
      4 egg yolks | 2 14 ounce cans full-fat sweetened condensed milk | 1 cup key lime juice | Zest of 2 limes
    • Once combined, pour into your prepared crust.
    • Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is set to the touch and appears just a little bit jiggly in the center if you wiggle the pan.
    • Let cool for at least 30 minutes on a wire rack, preferably until completely cooled. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge until ready to serve, or for at least for 1 hour.
    • Top with whipped cream and lime slices, slice and serve. Enjoy!
      Mascarpone whipped cream | Lime slices | Lime zest

    Video

    Notes

    How long does key lime pie last? Stored properly in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, it will last for up to 3 days.
    Can you freeze key lime pie? Yes! Without decorations or garnish, wrap the pie in two layers of plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
    Key lime juice: Key limes are harder to find in stores, but don’t despair! Most stores sell bottled Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key Lime Juice, so if you can’t get your hands on key limes you can still make key lime pie. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 408IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Author Leslie Kiszka
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating!

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    Leslie Kiszka in a red dress

    About Leslie

    I'm the hot mess behind every recipe you see here! I use baking as an outlet for relieving stress and anxiety to provide you with approachable homemade recipes and a little humor, for good measure.

    learn more about Leslie →

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Steve

      May 21, 2019 at 1:37 pm

      4 stars
      As a key lime pie purist, I love your recipe. However, I’d like to offer a correction and a recommendation. You reference (and link to) a bottled product, however, this product is NOT key lime juice as the label (and ingredient list) states. “Key West Lime Juice” is exactly that, (regular) Persian lime juice from concentrate, reconstituted, preserved and bottled in Key West. One would b much better off using fresh Persian limes (sans sodium benzoate) than this bottled product, which we recommended for stripping paint or removing rust but has no place in a food product.

      Again, I love the recipe and methods you use, the pie looks great.

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        May 21, 2019 at 1:58 pm

        Thanks for stopping by to offer up your thoughts!

        Reply
    2. Whitney Bond

      May 20, 2019 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      I have a friend with a key lime tree, calling her today & telling her to bring me some so I can make this pie!

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        May 20, 2019 at 2:09 pm

        You serious?! That’s so awesome!

        Reply
    3. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

      May 20, 2019 at 8:37 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never made a key lime pie, but they always look so pretty and summery. If I can find key limes or key lime juice around here, I’m definitely giving this one a try this summer!

      Reply
      • Leslie Kiszka

        May 20, 2019 at 8:40 am

        Even if you can’t, see if you can find the bottled Nellie & Joe’s lime juice!

        Reply

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