Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie

The best creamy key lime pie in a buttery graham cracker crust with fresh sweetened whipped cream. 

This is one of the easiest pies on the planet. Oh 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.  Since Easter is coming up, this will be a perfect dessert to serve your family.

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!

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.

One of my favorite appliances to use is a food processor because I can whip up a graham cracker crust in 30 seconds! If you don't have a food processor, a large Ziploc bag and a rolling pin will work as well.

If you can't find key limes or don't want to spend the time to juice those teeny, tiny limes, you can buy regular limes or key lime juice.  I am always a fan of fresh limes but if you are in a pinch, you can buy the key lime juice.  This recipe does call for lime zest, which is a game-changing ingredient since it adds so much freshness. I am a huge fan of this zester!

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:

1.  Start by making the graham cracker crust.  Make sure the graham crackers are finely ground and then well mixed together with the 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.
2. Make the filling by whisking together sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice, lime zest, and sour cream.  Pour into the graham cracker crust and bake for 10 minutes.
3. 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 2-4 hours before slicing the pie.
4. Make homemade whipped cream. This is made by whipping heavy cream until soft peaks form and fold in powdered sugar. You can always add in vanilla extract but I usually keep it pretty simple.

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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5 from 3 votes

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Key Lime Pie

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

18 mins

Total Time

33 mins

 

A rich, creamy, tangy key lime pie in a buttery graham cracker crust with sweetened whipped cream. 

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: key lime pie

Servings: 8

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust:

• 12 Graham Cracker Sheets
• 6 Tablespoons Salted Butter (melted)

Key Lime Pie Filling:

• (2) 14-ounce cans Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 2 large Egg Yolks
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream (preferably full-fat)
• 3/4 cup Key Lime Juice (or regular limes)
• Zest from 2 Limes

Homemade Whipped Cream:

• 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
• 1/4-1/3 cup Powdered Sugar

Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust:

1. 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. 

2. 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:

1. 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.

2. 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 2-4 hours before slicing the pie.

3. 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.