The BEST Key Lime Pie is the tartest in all the land! It’s not the best Key Lime Pie recipe if you don’t have to pucker up in my opinion. A super thick layer of zesty lime custard, a crunchy graham cracker crust, and a generous piping of lime whipped cream makes this classic dessert a dream come true! Originally published September 13, 2019.

key lime pie with graham cracker crust, whipped cream, and lime slices.
Table of Contents
  1. This is the BEST Key Lime Pie Recipe
  2. Why you will love this zesty Homemade Key Lime Pie 
  3. What is key lime pie?
  4. Best Key Lime Pie ingredients 
  5. How to make Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk
  6. How to serve this recipe for Key Lime Pie
  7. How to store a Key Lime Pie Recipe with Condensed Milk
  8. Best Key Lime Pie Recipe FAQs
  9. Homemade Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk Recipe

The other day I teared up a bit when a Little Mermaid song played on the kid’s radio station. And then later that afternoon I got weepy listening to a country song. A country song, you guys. Pretty soon I’m going to be crying over pet commercials. I don’t know what it is about being pregnant that makes women cry so much, but it is a seriously unjust situation.

Want to save this recipe?
Just drop your email here and I’ll send it right away! Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week. Yes please!
a key lime pie with whipped cream and lime slices with a piece cut out.

I almost cried again this afternoon, but it wasn’t hormones this time. Valentine is two and has decided that naps are not her thing anymore. The new toddler bed is not helping. (Where is the baby jail/crib when you need it??) She was very quiet for two hours, leading me to think she was asleep, but OH NO. She was busy silently emptying every single drawer of the dresser in her closet where we store our craft and office supplies.

a slice of key lime pie with whipped cream and lime slices.

At least it’s not as bad as an old friend of mine who had twin baby girls. She put them down for a nap in their new toddler beds, and she thought they were asleep but really they were busy dumping 20 gallons of water on the floor from the water bottles they had stored in the closet. They had to replace the flooring. See? It could always be worse!

a key lime pie with a graham cracker crust, whipped cream, and lime slices.

This is the BEST Key Lime Pie Recipe

My brother Nathan decided to make a key lime pie recipe a few weeks ago, and sent me his notes. Mastering key lime pie became my new obsession, and 5 pies later (seriously) I’ve found the version I love best! We’ve eaten a LOT of Key lime pies over the last few weeks and I’m not sick of it yet. Is there anything better than an ultra tart lime custard with a crunchy graham crust?? No. There’s really not. This pie is my favorite because it’s so thick and tart.

What are Key Limes?

Key limes are smaller and more acidic than the regular limes you see at the store (which are called Persian limes.) They are picked when green but turn yellow when ripe. There were groves of these fat and juicy limes in the Florida Keys back in the early 1900s, but a hurricane wiped them out and many farmers planted regular Persian limes in their place.

two limes zested in a white dish with a microplane grater.

(These are Persian limes. A microplane grater is your best friend when making a key lime pie recipe! We’re using a TON of zest!)

The “Key” limes you buy today (in the US) are usually from Mexico or Central America. They are tiny, seedy, rather bitter, and a pain in the neck to juice (and are NOT the same as the Key limes that became famous 100 years ago. So much for authentic key lime pie!)

Key limes are uncommon in most grocery stores and usually very expensive (and don’t even get me started on bottled Key lime juice. Don’t buy it! It’s overpriced and not fresh and no pie of yours should deign to it!) To read more about Key Lime history, read this article from Serious Eats called Key Limes? More like Key LIES.

using an electric juicer to juice limes, a measuring cup with lime juice.

(Long live the Persian lime. An electric juicer is your other best friend when juicing this many limes. More than a cup of juice is no joke.)

Can you substitute limes for key limes in key lime pie?

Bottom line is this: if you really love the flavor of key limes, hunt them down and spend the money. Otherwise, use the regular Persian limes that you can get at the grocery store. You are going to get a fabulous “Key” Lime Pie that will taste fresh and delicious. Use the same amount of zest and juice that the recipe calls for, whether using key limes or regular limes.

a slice of key lime with with a graham cracker crust, whipped cream, and lime slices.

Why you will love this zesty Homemade Key Lime Pie 

Homemade pie is better than store bought pie. If you’re intimidated by rolling out pie crust or don’t want to do all the work of slicing up a bunch of fruit, key lime pie is the perfect gateway to pie happiness. It starts with a simple graham cracker crust, to which we’re adding toasted almonds for amazing nutty flavor. Then we’re going to make an easy, lime-y, creamy filling. Finally, we’re whipping up some cream–to make LIME whipped cream. 

This is a dangerously quick pie to make. Once you see how fast you can throw it together, it may be appearing on your dessert plate more often than you planned. You’re welcome. 

What is key lime pie?

Key lime pie is a sweet, tart, creamy custard pie in a graham cracker crust, usually served with whipped cream on top. It traditionally includes lime juice and zest, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, and egg yolks. It’s refreshing in the summer, but perfect for making dessert ahead any time of year. You can even freeze it!

Why is it called key lime pie?

Key lime pie is named after the fruit of the same name, key limes, grown in the Florida Keys. If you’re not familiar with that part of the country, the Florida Keys are a string of islands off the coast of Florida. They’re tropical, so they’re an ideal place for growing citrus fruit. Key lime pie isn’t just any lime pie–it’s made with lime juice, lime zest, and sweetened condensed milk. Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, fresh dairy wasn’t as readily available in the Florida Keys. Sweetened condensed milk was a shelf-stable ingredient that made a perfect substitute for traditional custard pie ingredients in desserts. Voila – key lime pie. 

Best Key Lime Pie ingredients 

Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!

  • Slivered almonds
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Granulated sugar
  • Butter
  • Eggs
  • Sweetened condensed milk (2 cans)
  • Sour cream (full fat)
  • Limes, zest and juice (8-9 limes for filling and lime whipped cream, more to garnish)
  • Powdered sugar
  • Heavy whipping cream (not coffee creamer–heavy cream is in the dairy section with the milk and the half and half!)

How to make Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk

My main complaints about the Key Lime Pies I’ve had in the past are:

1) there is not enough lime flavor (when I eat a citrus dessert, I want to have to pucker up my face. I want it TART) and

a key lime pie with whipped cream and lime slices.

2) Many key lime pie recipes don’t have enough of the actual lime custard part. The custard often only goes up halfway to the top of the graham crust (like 1 inch or so), and then the rest is filled with whipped cream. No thank you. I want double the amount of tart and tangy limey custard, all the way to the tippy top of the graham cracker crust, and THEN add copious amounts of whipped cream on top. YES!

So that’s exactly what I’ve created here: the best key lime pie recipe. It’s actually really easy to make. A super tall, custardy layer of lime that fills the pie pan, that is so tart it will knock your socks off, and covered with generous lime whipped cream.

using a food processor to blend almonds into graham cracker crust.
pressing graham cracker crust into a glass pie plate.

1 – We’re starting off with a graham cracker crust that has a half cup of ground toasted almonds in it. I LOVE the nutty, tropical flavor this adds to the finished pie, but it is optional. You can use all graham cracker crumbs no prob.

mixing and measuring ingredients for key lime pie.

2 – On the left are 6 egg yolks beaten for 5 minutes. They turn a nice pale yellow color from all the air whipped into them.

3 – On the right is how much sweetened condensed milk you need from a second can (the recipe calls for one full can plus 2/3 cup from a second can. Yes, I know this is annoying, but I was really committed to having more volume in the recipe to get a taller custard, and 2 cans made it too sweet. Use the other half can to make these Buried Cherry Cookies!)

pouring lime custard into a graham cracker crust for key lime pie.

4 – Fill that custard all the way to the top! Go SLOW. You might need to discard (or eat) a tablespoon or so of custard, depending on how tall you made your crust. I was able to fit all of mine.

a baked key lime pie.

5 – Here is the pie just after baking. You can see just a few tiny bubbles that are about to pop, and that’s how you know your pie is done.

a slice of key lime pie with whipped cream and lime slices on a plate with a fork.

6 – Add the juice of one lime to your cream while you’re whipping it to give it a little bit of a kick, and then pipe it all over your chilled pie!

7 – Then try not to eat the whole thing.

My brother Nate spread sour cream all over the top of his pie and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. Then he added the lime whipped cream. The pie is great on it’s own, but I tried it that way and it was SO good! Sour cream: never a bad idea.

How to serve this recipe for Key Lime Pie

Once you’ve piped on the whipped cream, I recommend sticking the pie in the freezer (carefully, so you don’t ruin your beautifully piped lime whipped cream!). It’s best when it’s really cold. It’s a super refreshing dessert for summer! 

How to store a Key Lime Pie Recipe with Condensed Milk

Can you freeze key lime pie?

Yes! You can freeze key lime pie with or without the whipped cream. It will last for 1-2 months. When you’re ready to serve it, you can put it in the fridge, and it’ll be ready in 4 hours. If you want it to thaw faster, put it on the counter and you’re good to slice it in about half an hour.

Best Key Lime Pie Recipe FAQs

Is key lime pie a Florida thing?

Key lime pie was created in the Florida Keys, where fresh ingredients were hard to come by in the late 1800s and even into the early 1900s. However, locals DID have sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient of key lime pie. Of course today key lime pie is eaten all over the US, and certainly doesn’t require key limes–regular limes work just fine. 

What is key lime pie crust made of?

Key lime pies usually have a graham cracker crust, made of crushed graham crackers, melted butter, and a little sugar, pressed into a pie pan and baked. If you don’t like graham cracker crust (this is VERY hard for me to imagine, I could eat that stuff straight) you could use a traditional pie crust instead, blind baked. If you go this route, see my instructions for how to blind bake a pie crust

What causes a key lime pie to thicken?

Key lime pie doesn’t need any flour or cornstarch to thicken, as many custard pies do. The lime juice and sweetened condensed milk naturally react and thicken together. 

What makes key lime pie bitter?

If you’re using actual key limes in your pie, and you’re not used to the flavor, you may find them bitter. Key limes have a higher acidity than the standard limes you can buy at the grocery store and that acidity can come across as bitterness. Some people love this contrast; for others it may be acquired taste. If you’re unfamiliar with the taste of key limes, or worried about bitterness, just use regular limes.

Are key limes healthier than regular limes?

No. Key limes and regular limes both have vitamin C and fiber. There’s no special benefit to choosing key limes. Also…if you’re following this recipe you’re about to put them in a pie. Enjoy your pie with whatever limes you prefer and don’t worry about the health benefits this time.

More citrus desserts you are going to love!

The Best Lemon Curd (Easy!) << Have you ever spread your morning toast with lemon curd? SO good.

Creamy Lime Bars << this is an oldie but a goodie!

Meyer Lemon Tart << If you’ve never tried Meyer lemons, do it! Such a great flavor.

The Best Lemon Bars << Lemon Bars are probably my favorite dessert. This is the BEST recipe!!

Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars << Cheesecake ftw. These are very pretty, great for serving guests.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies with Lemon Frosting << The most delicious lemon cookies sandwiched with super tart lemon frosting!

Blueberry Lime Oatmeal Muffins << an unexpected and delicious flavor combo!

Lemon Curd Sugar Cookie Sandwiches << I love this combo!!

Fresh Blackberry Glace Pie << this is like a Strawberry Glace Pie, but with blackberries instead. SO good!

My mom’s Lemon Meringue Pie << I should update this soon! Love this pie!

Impossible Lemon Pie from Southern Plate

Orange Pie Bars from Back for Seconds

Grapefruit Cream Pie from A Spicy Perspective

Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

logo

Homemade Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk

4.79 from 14 votes
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Chilling Time: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 8
The BEST Key Lime Pie is the tartest in all the land! It’s not a good Key Lime Pie if you don’t have to pucker up in my opinion. A super thick layer of zesty lime custard, a crunchy graham cracker crust, and a generous piping of lime whipped cream makes this classic dessert a dream come true!

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds*, toasted
  • 1 & 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs, 12 full sheets
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted

For the lime custard

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 & 1/2 cans sweetened condensed milk, (1 can + 2/3 cup from a new can)
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons full fat sour cream
  • 2 & 1/2 tablespoons lime zest, about 5-6 limes**
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons lime juice, at least 7-8 limes**

For the lime whipped cream

  • 1 & 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • juice from 1 lime
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

To garnish

  • lime slices or wedges
  • lime zest

Instructions

  • Make the crust: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spread out 1/2 cup of slivered almonds on a baking sheet. When the oven is ready, toast the almonds for about 5-6 minutes, opening the oven to stir the almonds around every 2 minutes. The almonds are done when they are light brown and smell like heaven. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. 
  • Meanwhile, add 12 full graham cracker sheets to a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. (You could also buy a box of graham cracker crumbs. You need 1 and 1/3 cups. If you are skipping the almonds, add 1/2 cup crumbs.)
  • Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the toasted almonds to the food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Add 6 tablespoons melted butter and pulse until the mixture resembles wet sand.**
  • Press the mixture into a 9 or 9 and 1/2 inch pie plate. I like to use a glass to press it. Make sure it goes as far up on the sides as you can get it to go. (So that the custard doesn’t overflow)
  • Bake the crust at 350 for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely before adding the filling (I often stick mine in the fridge/freezer after it has cooled from the oven. If your pan is glass, you should be able to touch the pie plate with your hands before refrigerating (you don’t want to crack the glass from the temperature change)
  • Make the lime custard: Add 6 egg yolks to a large bowl or stand mixer. Beat on medium high speed for about 5 minutes. Your yolks will lighten to a pale yellow color. (You’re whipping air into them to make them nice and fluffy. Don’t skip it.)
  • With the mixer running, add in the sweetened condensed milk. You need 1 and 1/2 (14-ounce) cans. This is 1 full can plus 2/3 cup from a second can. (use the remainder to make these Buried Cherry Cookies!)
  • Add 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons full fat sour cream and combine well.
  • Zest about 5 or 6 limes until you have 2 and 1/2 tablespoons. Do yourself a favor and buy a Microplane zester for this job. This tool is so sharp and makes zesting a breeze. Add the zest to the bowl.
  • Juice your limes until you have 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons. I used an electric citrus juicer, which makes it so fast. It’s a worthy investment if you love citrus, or if you plan to make this pie!
  • Add 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons lime juice to the custard mixture and beat until just combined, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl until you’re sure it’s all mixed in.
  • Pour the custard into the cooled crust. Pour SLOWLY to make sure it doesn’t overflow.
  • Bake the pie at 350 for 25 minutes. You should see a few tiny bubbles on the surface of the pie. The pie will not look set and will be very wiggly. Never fear! It’s supposed to be like that.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack for about 45 minutes to an hour.
  • Cover the pie with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours. (You can make this pie up to 3 days ahead of time.)
  • Make the whipped cream: When you are ready to serve the pie, beat 1 and 1/2 cup whipped cream on high speed. With the mixer running, add the juice from 1 lime (do it while mixing to make sure you don’t curdle the cream)
  • Add 1/3 cup powdered sugar and continue beating on high speed for 2-3 minutes, until the cream is stiff.
  • Add the whipped cream to a piping bag set with a large star tip. (Or you could put it in a ziplock and snip the corner.) Pipe the whipped cream on top of the pie however you like. Save any remaining whipped cream for guests to add to their own slice. See note for alternative topping.
  • Garnish the pie with sliced limes and additional lime zest.
  • After decorating, you can freeze the pie for about 15 minutes before serving. Key Lime Pie is best served very cold!

Notes

*Make sure you get slivered almonds, not sliced. You don’t want any part of the dark brown exterior, just the white part. 
**Buy about 9-10 limes total at the store, just in case they are not very juicy (and so that you have plenty for garnish.) If you are using key limes, you will probably need over 30 limes. (Use an equivalent amount of zest and juice as the recipe calls for if using key limes.)
***If you don’t have a food processor, crush the crackers in a ziplock with a rolling pin. You will need to chop the almonds very very finely with a sharp knife. If you have any sort of nut chopper, that would be best.
Alternative topping: My brother Nathan made this and spread the top of the pie with 1/2 cup sour cream, then sprinkled the top generously with powdered sugar, THEN served with the lime whipped cream. I tried it, it’s so delicious! 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 700kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 261mg | Sodium: 380mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 1489IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 324mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 700
Keyword: best, key lime, pie, zesty
Did you make this? I’d love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Categorized as , , , , ,

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You May Also Like...

Comments

  1. Okay, you Totally saved Pi Day with this Fantastic recipe!!! I’ve never whipped egg yolks for so long, and it was kind of magical watching what happened to them! This is my husband’s very favorite kind of pie, and I have always bought it. I am getting big kudos for pulling this off, but all I had to do was follow your instructions exactly. Thanks so much!

    1. Oh Dana I’m so happy this pie was a hit!! Store bought pies are great, but homemade ones are even better :) :) so glad it all worked out and now you have an amazing key lime pie reputation!! 😂💕 Thanks for taking the time to comment!!

  2. 5 stars
    Hi Karen! I’ve made this pie on several occasions and everyone Loved it!! I’d like to try using your recipe to make mini pies. How long would you suggest to bake? My muffin tin holds 12. I will use paper cups to put the crust and pie in to hold everything. Also, should I bake at a lower temperature? TIA!

    1. Hi Angie! This sounds like such a great idea. I don’t think you’ll need to change the temperature. I recommend starting with 15 minutes for cooking time and checking to see if the mini pies are slight jiggly but not totally liquid. Remember that they’ll need plenty of time to cool and chill (though, of course, much less than a whole pie). If you try it, come back and let us know how it turns out – enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.