The Finest Key Lime Pie Recipe (+ Video!)

This traditional key lime pie is tremendous easy to make with just some elements, completely tart and creamy, and with a buttery graham cracker crust. You should use recent key limes, or bottled key lime juice so this comes collectively simply! Prime with whipped cream for a dessert I do know everybody will love.

Okay, buddy. Meet my favourite dessert. The important thing lime pie. I want I had identified my love for this dessert earlier in life. I’ve to confess I didn’t have my first slice of this tart creamy citrus pie till I used to be in my 20’s.

I really introduced this selfmade key lime pie to a get collectively not too long ago very uncertain of how it might be obtained. The truth is I introduced a again up dessert (sure I’m that loopy individual). I introduced this Irish apple cake with custard sauce simply in case. I imply would everybody be a fan of key lime pie like I used to be?! Seems the 2nd dessert wasn’t wanted (nonetheless devoured thoughts you, however not wanted) as a result of everybody was SO EXCITED about this key lime pie. 

Seems I’m not alone. Key lime pie rocks. Like my Key Lime Cheesecake Recipe. Or my straightforward key lime bars. Or mini key lime cheesecakes. It’s superb. ‘Nuff mentioned. Let’s make some.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Simply 6 Components – Yup that’s it. Solely six elements is all you want. 
• Prep Time Is Minimal – In nearly 20 minutes you’ll be able to throw this pie collectively. Okay positive it’s bought set it up and bake nonetheless however 20 minutes of precise arms on time is all this takes!
• Easy To Make. The toughest half is usually determining the best way to get that meals processor lid to connect so I can flip it on. Inform me I’m not alone right here! However significantly, that’s the toughest half. In any other case these couldn’t be easier.

Recipe Components

The entire elements are proven under and some ingredient notes price mentioning:

• Graham Crackers – I flip these into crumbs utilizing my meals processor however you can additionally throw them in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. 
• Granulated sugar – For the crust
• Butter – I like to recommend utilizing unsalted butter vs. salted butter so I can management the quantity of salt.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk –  Ensure you seize the best can, and never evaporated milk! They don’t seem to be the identical factor. You want two cans.
• Key Lime Juice – You’ll be able to squeeze a bunch of tiny key limes however I desire to make use of this superior bottled juice as a substitute making this one of many quickest pies each to throw collectively. You can even use common lime juice if you happen to can’t discover both.
• Lime Zest – Okay now I used common limes however you’ll be able to add key lime zest if you will discover key limes.
• Egg yolks – For assistance on separate your eggs cleanly, learn the best way to separate eggs (6 methods!).
• Sugar – I used granulated sugar, however brown sugar within the crust can be an ideal swap!

How To Make Key Lime Pie

Prep your oven. Preheat the oven to 350^oF (180^oC) and place a rack within the middle of the oven. 

Make the crust. In a meals processor, grind the graham crackers, sugar and salt into tremendous crumbs.

Pour the crumbs into a big bowl and stir within the melted butter till the crust comes collectively. It ought to resemble moist sand.

Press the crust evenly over the underside and up the edges of a 9-inch pie pan. I do that with the underside of a dry measuring cup.

Bake for 10 minutes, till the crust is golden brown and baked by way of.  Take away from the oven and let the crust cool on a wire rack. 

Make the filling. In a big bowl, whisk collectively the condensed milk, key lime juice, egg yolks, lime zest, and the salt till easy.

Pour the important thing lime filling into the partially baked crust. 

Bake the pie. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, till the pie is about however nonetheless just a little wobbly within the center if you shake it. Take away from the oven and let cool utterly on a wire rack. Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days (though I’ve had it last more!).

Make the whipped cream: Place your mixing bowl in your freezer for about 10 minutes. You can also make this in your stand mixer, electrical hand mixer, or with a whisk.  

Within the chilled bowl  mix the cream, confectioners sugar, and vanilla and whip till the cream holds stiff peaks.  If you take the beaters or whisk out of the bowl the peaks ought to stand on their very own and the whipped cream needs to be billowy and fluffy.

I retailer my whipped cream in an hermetic container and it holds up effectively for as much as 3 days.  Proper earlier than serving, you’ll be able to pipe or unfold a beneficiant layer of whipped cream on prime of the pie earlier than serving. 

For extra step-by-step photographs try my full Whipped Cream recipe!

If you’re able to serve the pie, prime with the selfmade whipped cream!

Recipe Ideas

• Use The Backside Of The Measuring Cup. To press down the crumbs into the pan. It actually does make quick work of it.
• Don’t Overbake. Chances are you’ll wish to bake this pie previous the time steered as a result of it nonetheless seems to be just a little wobbly within the center however don’t fear it’s going to proceed to arrange after you’re taking it out of the oven. I search for the sides to be set however the center to be nonetheless wobbly.
• Chill The Pie. This pie wants to sit back and arrange earlier than serving. I refrigerate mine and let it arrange for 2-3 hours earlier than serving.
• Use bottled juice to make this pie occur sooner. I used Nellie and Joe’s Well-known Key Lime juice and bought ion Amazon. However I’ve seen it in my grocery retailer so that you would possibly wish to strive there first.
• Use common limes. If you happen to can’t discover key limes, you need to use common limes, in any other case often known as Persian Limes.

Topping This Pie

I topped this key lime pie with my straightforward selfmade Whipped Cream. My whipped cream will maintain up for two days (though I’ve pushed it to three days no downside) within the fridge. So you may make it forward of time and have it able to serve on prime of your pie. I might not prime the pie with the whipped cream although till able to serve so it holds up effectively. 

You can even strive my stabilized whipped cream, which incorporates gelatin. It holds up for much longer!

Storage And Make Forward Directions

You can also make this pie as much as 2 days forward of time, and the whipped cream as much as 3 days forward of time. Retailer them every, separate, coated, in your fridge.

I retailer this in my fridge coated with plastic wrap for as much as 2 days (however I’ve had good luck having it final a pair days longer!). I retailer mine with out whipped cream and prime the pie with whipped cream proper earlier than serving. 

And it’s also possible to freeze a key lime pie for as much as 3 months. I like to recommend freezing with out whipped cream on prime.

Recipe FAQ’s

​Extra Recipes To Attempt

If you happen to’re craving extra citrus desserts, then it’s important to strive my lemon meringue pie! With a selfmade pie crust, tart lemon filling, and a marshmallow meringue topping that will get torched. It could possibly’t be beat!

If you happen to’re within the temper for one thing a bit simpler to make, then make sure you strive my straightforward lemon pie! Made with a graham cracker crust and easy whisk collectively filling.

• Prep your oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180℃) and place a rack within the middle of the oven.

• Make the crust. In a meals processor, grind the graham crackers into tremendous crumbs. Add the sugar and butter and pulse till it the combination comes collectively. Press the crust evenly over the underside and up the edges of a 9-inch pie plate. I do that with the underside of a dry measuring cup. Bake for 8-10 minutes, till the crust is golden brown. Take away from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. 1 ½ cups (12 full rectangle graham crackers, 180 g) graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar 5 Tablespoons (71 g) unsalted butter

• Make the filling. In a big bowl, whisk collectively the condensed milk, key lime juice, egg yolks, lime zest, and the salt till easy. Pour into the partially baked crust. 2 14-oz sweetened condensed milk cans ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons (210 ml) key lime juice 4 massive egg yolks 1 teaspoon grated lime zest ¼ teaspoon tremendous sea salt

• Bake the pie. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, till the pie is about however nonetheless just a little wobbly within the center if you shake it. Take away from the oven and let cool utterly on a wire rack. Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days (althoughI’ve had it last more!).

• Make the whipped cream: Place your mixing bowl in your freezer for about 10 minutes. You can also make this in your stand mixer, electrical hand mixer, or with a whisk. Within the chilled bowl mix the cream, confectioners sugar, and vanilla and whip till the cream holds stiff peaks. If you take the beaters or whisk out of the bowl the peaks ought to stand on their very own and the whipped cream needs to be billowy and fluffy. I retailer my whipped cream in an hermetic container and it holds up effectively for as much as 3 days. Proper earlier than serving, you’ll be able to pipe or unfold a beneficiant layer of whipped cream on prime of the pie earlier than serving. 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Storing: I retailer this in my fridge coated with plastic wrap for as much as 2 days (however I’ve had good luck having it final a pair days longer!). I retailer mine with out whipped cream and prime the pie with whipped cream proper earlier than serving.
• Make Forward: Sure you may make this pie as much as two days forward of time, and the whipped cream as much as 3 days forward of time. Retailer them every, separate, coated, in your fridge.
• Contemporary Key limes:  You have to fairly a number of key limes as they’re smaller (about 12-14). I’ve a tough time discovering these in my retailer so I persist with the juice.
• Common limes: It gained’t be true key lime pie, however I’ve made it with common lime juice and it turned out nice. I used about 7 or 8 limes.
• Gluten Free: Simply use gluten free graham crackers as a substitute.
• Graham Cracker Substitution: Gingernsap cookies or Nilla wafers can be an ideal substitution.
• Key Lime Bars: I haven’t examined it however I feel it might work OR simply use my Key Lime Pie Bars as a substitute!

Energy: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fats: 22g | Saturated Fats: 12g | Trans Fats: 1g | Ldl cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 798IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg