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Home » My Latest Recipes

Creamy Key Lime Pie Recipe

Apr 30, 2022 · 31 Comments

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This tart, sweet and simple to make super creamy key lime pie is perfect for summer afternoons. If you are a lime-lover, like I am, it is a welcome dessert year round! It pairs perfectly with a graham cracker crust, a dollop of whipped cream and, of course, a freshly brewed espresso.

the perfect key lime pie from dessertswithstephanie.com

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Jump to:
  • What is a key lime
  • Top tip
  • Graham cracker crust
  • Ingredient tips
  • Mixing, baking and serving
  • FAQs
  • More lime desserts
  • 📋 Recipe

What is a key lime

What is a key lime? A key lime is a citrus hybrid fruit that is significantly smaller than its Persian cousins (a key lime is about the size of a ping pong ball). Regardless of their size, they pack a ton of flavor and are more acidic, aromatic and sweeter than other limes.

Top tip

I suggest making the dessert a day in advance of serving it. This allows the filling time to set up properly and the flavor will be enhanced. Each component of this recipe only takes a few minutes to make so take the time to make the pie in advance and you will thank yourself!

creamy key lime pie with condensed milk

Graham cracker crust

  • Key lime pie is traditionally made with a graham cracker crust pressed into a pie tin. If you are looking to save a step you may certainly use a store bought crust.
  • This recipe calls for 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs. If making your own crumbs in a food processor you will need about 15 full graham crackers.
  • I like to save a bit of the graham cracker mixture to put on the edges of the pie prior to baking. It enhances the look and the extra crust is a great texture with the creaminess of the pie.

Ingredient tips

  • Do you need to use key limes? No, but key limes are my preference. You will need approximately 12 - 15 key limes to achieve the 5 fluid ounces of juice needed in this recipe. Not everyone wants to spend time squeezing a dozen key limes. You will still get a spectacular pie using regular limes or my favorite lime juice from Nellie and Joe's.
limes for key lime pie

Mixing, baking and serving

  • The secret to the perfect key lime pie is in the mixing and baking of the pie. When combining the three ingredients for the filling (egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice), whisk filling slowly and completely until filling is well combined.
  • If air bubbles form during the mixing, simply tap the bowl on your countertop to allow bubbles to escape.
  • This pie needs to bake slowly at a low temperature to allow the custard to set evenly. After baking for 16 - 18 minutes the middle of the pie will still be a bit 'jiggly.' This is what you are going for and you don't want to overbake or you will have a cheesecake texture.
  • Serving:
    • As tempting as it may be to serve the pie shortly after baking, don't! Let the pie cool completely on a cooling rack then place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (overnight is preferable). This will allow the flavors to meld and the filling to set properly.
Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

FAQs

Can you freeze a key lime pie?

Yes! I have frozen quite a few key lime pies at the bakery with great success - there is no difference between my fresh baked pies and ones which were frozen. To defrost, place the frozen pie in your fridge for 3 - 4 hours and allow to defrost completely before serving.

Can you use regular limes for a key lime pie?

Yes, but key limes are my preference as they pack a lot of flavor! If you don't want to squeeze a ton of little key limes - purchase a key lime juice (my preference is Nellie and Joe's).

Is key lime pie gluten-free?

The filling for this pie is gluten-free but the crust is not. Gluten-free graham crackers are available and may be substituted for the crust.

More lime desserts

Love the flavor of zesty lime in your desserts? Check out a few of the following:

  • key lime Bundt cake for dessertswithstephanie.com
    Best Key Lime Bundt Cake
  • coconut lime macaroons on a stand with limes in the background
    Coconut Lime Macaroons
  • overhead view of a no bake lime chiffon pie with whipped cream swirls and lime zest
    No Bake Lime Chiffon Pie
  • GF lime cookies with one cookie bitten into
    Gluten Free Lime Cookies

📋 Recipe

slice of key lime pie

Creamy Key Lime Pie Recipe

A tangy, creamy key lime pie with a graham cracker crust.
5 from 43 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Resting Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 315 kcal

Equipment

  • Pie Pan 9"
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand whisk

Ingredients
 
 

Graham Cracker Crust

  • 2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • ⅓ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted

Key Lime Pie Filling

  • 4 Large Egg Yolks
  • 1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk (14 ounce can)
  • 5 Fluid Ounces Lime Juice

Instructions
 

Graham Cracker Crust

  • Preheat oven to 350℉
  • Melt butter in microwave or over stovetop.
  • Place graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Add melted butter to bowl and toss the mixture until butter is evenly distributed.
  • Gently press graham cracker mixture onto the bottom and up sides of pie pan.
  • Bake for 6 minutes. Cool completely before using.

Key Lime Pie Filling/Baking

  • Preheat oven to 300℉
  • Whisk egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk together.
  • Pour lime juice into bowl whisking slowly so as not to create air bubbles.
  • Pour filling into cooled pie crust.
  • Bake for 16 - 18 minutes, or until pie is set. The middle of pie filling will still be jiggling, do not overbake.
  • Remove from oven and place on cooling rack. Put in refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

If making your own graham cracker crumbs in a food processor, you will need approximately 16 graham crackers to make 2 cups of crumbs.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 227mgPotassium: 206mgFiber: 1gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 421IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 140mgIron: 1mg
Keyword easy key lime pie, easy pie crust, how to make a key lime pie, key lime crust, key lime pie recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kechi says

    July 13, 2024 at 6:53 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make, thanks so much your detailed instructions. The kids wanted to eat up the entire graham crust! LOL!

    Reply
  2. Ebony says

    January 25, 2024 at 12:45 am

    5 stars
    I made this for my family today and it was soooo good! I'm not even a great baker, but this recipe was so good and easy to follow! Can't wait to make this again!

    Reply
  3. Merideth says

    January 24, 2024 at 3:11 am

    5 stars
    Yum! I have been snowbound for the past week and this was the perfect thing to bring a little bit of sunshine into my kitchen! Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply
  4. TAYLER ROSS says

    January 23, 2024 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    This is the BEST key lime pie that I've ever had! Perfectly tart and creamy!

    Reply
  5. Tara Pittman says

    December 01, 2023 at 1:54 am

    This key lime pie sounds amazing. Could I use coconut condensed milk to make this dairy-free?

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      December 01, 2023 at 1:00 pm

      Hello Tara, Yes, you may use coconut milk in the recipe - use the full fat version and add a few tablespoons of sugar to the recipe.

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    June 23, 2023 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    The flavor of the lime really comes through in this pie and is balanced nicely by the sweetness of the sweetened condensed milk. Perfect summer recipe. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Ieva says

    June 23, 2023 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    This was probably the easiest key lime pie recipe I've ever tried, and it was actually one of the best! The flavour was delicious, sweet and tangy! 10 out of 10!

    Reply
  8. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    June 16, 2023 at 9:44 pm

    5 stars
    I love this pie!! The filling is sweet and tart - a perfect key lime flavor. And the directions were really easy to follow.

    Reply
  9. Nancy says

    June 16, 2023 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    I love key lime pie but they often are too tart for me. This one had a nice balance.

    Reply
  10. Nicole NK says

    June 15, 2023 at 3:13 pm

    5 stars
    I love how creamy the Keylime was. This was the best Keylime pie I’ve had in years. I used gluten-free gram, crackers for the crust, and it came out great.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      June 15, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you, Nicole. So nice to know you enjoyed this pie recipe.

      Reply
  11. Andréa Janssen says

    June 15, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is certainly going to be made more often. It was fresh with a perfect tart and sweetness balance. And easy to prepare. We loved it!

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      June 15, 2023 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  12. Kitty P. says

    May 23, 2023 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    I often order key lime pie while dining out but have never made it before. This recipe was spot on and equals some of the creamiest, tangiest key lime pies I've had in restaurants.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      May 23, 2023 at 1:34 pm

      Hi Kitty, thank you for your feedback on my Key Lime Pie recipe!

      Reply
  13. Monidipa says

    May 15, 2023 at 8:07 pm

    5 stars
    Your Key Lime Pie recipe is amazing! The instructions were easy to follow, and the end result was a delicious and creamy pie that my family couldn't get enough of. Thank you for sharing this recipe, it's definitely going to be a staple in our household from now on!

    Reply
  14. nancy says

    April 15, 2023 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    this key lime pie had a good balance of sweet and tart. It did not disappoint.

    Reply
    • dessertswithstephanie says

      April 15, 2023 at 3:53 pm

      5 stars
      Nancy, thank you for the feedback on the key lime pie. So pleased you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply
  15. Nicole says

    April 14, 2023 at 2:18 am

    5 stars
    I love key lime pie and this recipe did not disappoint. So easy to follow!

    Reply
  16. Melinda says

    March 29, 2023 at 1:30 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy to make. Great recipe for key lime pie! I ended up using a store bought crust since I had one in the freezer. Thanks for suggesting that as an option. Delicious dessert!!

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth says

    March 29, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    5 stars
    Great dessert for the upcoming Easter holiday!

    Reply
  18. Emily says

    March 29, 2023 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    I really enjoyed how quick this recipe was to put together. I mean what’s not to love in a 10 minute key like prep?! Thank you for such a quick, easy, and delicious recipe!

    Reply
  19. Giangi Townsend says

    March 29, 2023 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    Creamy and super delicious. We love everything about this key lime pie. We ate the whole pie in one sitting, my husband and I.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  20. Charles says

    December 28, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    5 stars
    This has everything I like about a key lime pie. I used the zest from one of my limes in addition to this recipe.

    Reply
  21. Colleen says

    October 25, 2022 at 10:50 am

    5 stars
    This is indeed the Perfect Key Lime Pie recipe. I cannot wait to make this in the Holidays! It's a great people-pleaser!

    Reply
  22. Mila Osman says

    October 24, 2022 at 2:23 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! An instant classic

    Reply
  23. Sara B says

    October 24, 2022 at 11:35 am

    5 stars
    Delish. I like the idea of added the graham crumble to the top of the pie.

    Reply
  24. CAROL Ann says

    October 20, 2022 at 11:31 am

    5 stars
    We love this pie at my house. Yummiest

    Reply
  25. Andy T says

    September 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was as good as ever! I like the idea of adding the extra graham crumbs to the top sides of the pie.

    Reply
  26. CanGee says

    September 15, 2022 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    Creamiest pie ever. Need to make sure it is whisked well.

    Reply
5 from 43 votes (39 ratings without comment)

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Welcome to Desserts With Stephanie. I hope you enjoy your visit. All the recipes and techniques I discuss on this site have been fully tested in my bakery for more than 15 years. Let's have some fun in the kitchen and put a smile on someone's face with a little sweetness.

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