Learn how to make delicious key lime pie every time! This key lime pie recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart, and it is so easy to make. This pie is made with only 7 ingredients, including fresh limes and sweetened condensed milk. The filling is piled into a buttery graham cracker crust and topped with a sweetened whipped cream that will have you craving more.
KEY LIME PIE INGREDIENTS
Jump to the bottom of the recipe card below this post for full ingredient measurements and instructions.
- Fresh limes – plenty of fresh limes for juice and zest
- Sweetened condensed milk – 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, not to be confused with evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is thicker and sweeter, just as its name implies.
- Egg yolks – give the pie structure and help it set
- Sugar – granulated sugar and brown sugar
- Graham crackers – you’ll need about 12 crackers to make the crust
- Melted butter – about 6 tablespoons of butter, melted
HOW TO MAKE KEY LIME PIE
Follow these steps to make this recipe:
Make the crust: Crush the graham crackers using a food processor, blender, or by simply placing them in a bag and crushing with a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, sugars, and melted butter. Mix well with a fork. Using your fingers to mold the crust, press the graham cracker mixture into a greased pie pan. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
Beat the egg yolks: In a bowl, using an electric mixer, whisk the egg yolks for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the sugar and condensed milk: Add the ¼ cup sugar and sweetened condensed milk and beat together on high speed for 3 minutes.
Add the lime juice and zest: Add in the lime juice and zest, then mix on low speed until combined.
Pour the pie filling into the graham cracker crust and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the pie has just set. Remove from the oven, and allow it to cool on a wire rack before placing it in the refrigerator to chill.
The Perfect Key Lime Pie
8-10
servings20
minutes45
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Filling Ingredients
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 tsp lime zest (reserve 1 tsp for garnish)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Crust Ingredients
1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers (about 12 crackers)
3 oz melted butter (6 tablespoons)
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 pinch of kosher salt
- For The Whipped Topping
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1 tsp granulated sugar, optional
1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Crush the graham crackers using a food processor, blender, or by simply placing them in a bag and crushing with a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers, sugars, and melted butter. Mix well with a fork. Using your fingers to mold the crust, press the graham cracker mixture into a greased pie pan. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
- In a bowl, using an electric mixer, whisk the egg yolks for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Then add the sugar and sweetened condensed milk and beat together on high speed for 3 minutes. Add in the lime juice and zest, then mix on low speed until combined.
- Pour the pie filling into the graham cracker crust and bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the pie has just set. Remove from oven, and allow it to cool on a wire rack before placing it in the refrigerator to chill.
- Using a bowl with an electric mixer, add the cold cream, sugar and vanilla and whip until almost stiff. **Turn your bowl upside down. If it doesn’t move, it’s ready. Spread evenly on top of the cooled pie. You may also place in a piping bag or a sandwich bag and cut the tip.
- Garnish with fresh lime slices or zest and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Notes
- For best results, allow the pie to chill for at least 3 hours or even overnight before serving.
- Store leftover Key lime pie in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Did you make this recipe?
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While I have you here… may I suggest a few for you to try next:
- How To Make Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
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Until next time. Keep following and commenting. Join me on Youtube next week where I will be cooking up another recipe and maybe telling a few of my terrible jokes! Yes, that’s right.
