Key Lime Pie

Learn how to make the best key lime pie with a perfectly sweet and buttery graham cracker crust. This easy key lime pie recipe features fresh key lime juice for a tangy, refreshing filling, balanced with the sweetness of condensed milk. Ideal for summer gatherings or as a classic dessert, follow our step-by-step guide to create this homemade key lime pie that everyone will love!

This creamy key lime pie is one of the easiest pies on the planet to make…and definitely one of the most popular! It is something I love to bring to potlucks because it is always a hit at any party. Everyone seems to love classic key lime pie.

The best part is that it is both absolutely delicious and easy! We love an easy dessert recipe that anyone can make. I am going to share the tips and tricks for making it, answering frequently asked questions, and sharing how you can make the best key lime pie.

Why you will love this Easy Key Lime Recipe:

1. This pie recipe has it all…a creamy texture, tangy yet sweet flavor, all paired with a buttery graham cracker crust.
2. It calls for simple ingredients and is super easy to make so bakers of all skill levels can make this homemade key lime pie.
3. It stores super well so you can store any leftover pie covered in the refrigerator.

Easy Key Lime Pie Ingredients:

A traditional key lime pie is made with sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, lime zest, and egg yolks in a graham cracker crust.  The best key lime pie is made with a secret ingredient — sour cream.  It is what gives it the rich, creamy texture without adding more sweetened condensed milk. It perfectly balances out the sweetness of the sweetened condensed milk!

Graham Cracker Crust:

• Graham Cracker Sheets
• Salted Butter (melted)

The graham cracker crust is made with two simple ingredients — crushed graham crackers and melted butter. I prefer to use salted butter to balance out the sweetness of the filling so if you use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.

Key Lime Pie Filling:

• Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Egg Yolks
• Sour Cream (preferably full-fat)
• Key Lime Juice (or regular limes)
• Zest from 1 Lime

Homemade Whipped Cream:

• Heavy Cream
• Powdered Sugar

I love adding fresh sweetened whipped cream to my key lime pie. This is made by whipping heavy cream until soft peaks form and stirring in powdered sugar. It is so simple but is a must with this key lime pie recipe.

How to Make the Best Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Crust:

This homemade key lime pie recipe is made with a buttery graham cracker crust, a sweet, tangy, and creamy key lime filling, perfectly balanced with sweetened condensed milk, and topped with fluffy whipped cream. This is such an easy key lime pie recipe and is always a hit!

Graham Cracker Crust:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor, pulse graham crackers until fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter and continue to pulse. If you don’t own a food processor, place graham crackers in a large Ziploc bag and crush using a rolling pin until fine crumbs. Pour into a bowl and stir in melted butter. 
• Press firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, using the back of a measuring cup or small glass. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Key Lime Pie Filling:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice, lime zest, and sour cream. Pour into the graham cracker crust and bake for 10 minutes.
• Let it CHILL. It is important to allow it time to chill in the refrigerator because this allows it to set-up. It needs at least 4 hours before slicing the pie.

HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM:

• In a large bowl, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Fold in powdered sugar. Add a dollop of whipped cream to each piece or pipe over the entire pie. Garnish with fresh lime slices.

How to Decorate Your Key Lime Pie:

Keep the decoration simple to let the refreshing citrus flavor shine:

• Whipped Cream: A classic topping that adds a light, sweet contrast to the tart filling.
• Lime Zest & Slices: Sprinkle lime zest over the top and add a few quartered lime slices for a burst of color.
• Macadamia Nuts or Graham Cracker Crumbs: For added texture, scatter whole macadamia nuts or extra graham cracker crumbs over the whipped cream.

FAQ’s:

1. Can I make key lime pie ahead of time?

Yes! Key lime pie is best made a day in advance, allowing it to chill and the flavors to develop.

2. What’s the difference between key limes and regular limes?

Key limes are smaller, have a thinner skin, and are more aromatic and tart compared to regular limes. They are also slightly yellow when ripe. Can I use regular limes instead of key limes? You can substitute regular limes with key limes if you can’t find key limes.

3. How do I know when my key lime pie is done baking?

The edges should be set while the center has a slight jiggle. It will continue to set as it cools.

4. How do I keep the pie from cracking?

To avoid cracks in the filling, don’t overbake the pie. Bake it just until the center is slightly jiggly, then allow it to cool slowly.

How to store homemade Key Lime Pie:

Refrigerator: Store any leftover key lime pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To serve chilled icebox key lime pie, cut into wedges and garnish with fresh whipped cream and lime slices.

If you love desserts, check out some of my most popular dessert recipes:

SWEET LEMON SOUR CREAM PIE
KEY LIME CAKE
ITALIAN LEMON OLIVE OIL CAKE
ORANGE CAKE

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Check out this video to see how to make this Easy Key Lime Pie: