Key Lime Pie Recipe - Tastes Better From Scratch (2024)

This easy Key Lime pie recipe is one of my all-time favorites, made with a homemade graham cracker crust and a simple, 4-ingredient filling.

My love for homemade pie is no secret, and if you’re looking for pies that are no-bake, or extra quick and easy try my Peanut Butter Pie, No Bake Cheesecake, or Pecan Pie.

Key Lime Pie Recipe - Tastes Better From Scratch (1)

What I love about this recipe:

  • EASY – The most amateur baker in the world will look like a pro after making this key lime pie. It’s so simple and fool-proof.
  • Three-Ingredient Crust – Store-bought crusts are flavorless and flimsy! My easy graham cracker crust recipe makes this pie next-level. A gingersnap cookie crust is also delicious with it, especially around the holidays.
  • Fast and Can Make Ahead – You can make and bake this pie in about 35 minutes, and it’s a great one to make in advance because it stays good for several days.

Ingredients Needed:

  • Graham cracker crust: Please take 5 minutes to make it from scratch! Tastes so much better!
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Cream Cheese: Use full fat cream cheese, and make sure it has softened to room temperature. It adds stability and extra creaminess to the filling.
  • Key Lime Juice: (available bottled, at most grocery stores)
  • Lime Zest
  • Heavy Cream, for garnish
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How to Make Key Lime Pie:

Beat Cream Cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth.

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Add sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest and mix until smooth.

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Pour into crust and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.

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Refrigerate: Allow the pie to cool completely, then refrigerate for a few hours to give it time to set up, before serving.

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Limes vs Key Limes; What’s the difference?

The most common limes found in US grocery stores are called Persian limes.You’ll notice key limes are a lot smaller than regular limes (only around 1 ½ inches in diameter) have a more intense flavor, and contain more seeds.

Pro Tips:

  • Use Key Lime Juice: There are 2 ways you can get key lime juice for this recipe. Juice about 20 of your own small key limes, or do what I do and buy a bottle of Nellie’s Key Lime Juice (available at most grocery stores). I don’t recommend substituting regular lime juice for key lime juice, but if you have to, make sure the limes are fresh squeezed.
  • The Secret Ingredient: The addition of a little cream cheese adds stability to the filling and an extra smooth and creamy texture. You won’t notice a cream cheese taste.
  • Use Full Fat Cream Cheese and Sweetened Condensed Milk: The low fat options won’t allow the pie to set up as well.
  • Fresh Lime Zest is Essential! It gives an extra boost of flavor and it adds little specks of green to the filling that help give the pie it’s signature look.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: You can make the graham cracker crust and mix the filling a few days in advance and store in the fridge until ready to assemble and bake. Baked key lime pie will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To Freeze: Allow pie to cool completely. Add a small piece of parchment paper on top of the pie, then cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze key lime pie for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator.

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Recipe

Key Lime Pie Recipe - Tastes Better From Scratch (7)

4.93 from 232 votes

Key Lime Pie

The BEST Key Lime Pie recipe is one of my all-time favorites, made with a homemade graham cracker crust and a simple, 4-ingredient filling.

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Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 20 minutes mins

Total 35 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Graham cracker crust:*

  • cups ground graham crackers (about 12 full sheets, crushed)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons butter , melted

Key Lime Filling:

  • 2 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • ¾ cup key lime juice*
  • zest from 2 regular limes , or 4 key limes

Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350F. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl.Pour crumb mixture into an 8" – 9.5" pie pan and press it firmly in the bottom of the pan and a little bit up the sides of the pan.Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

For the Filling:

  • Make the filling: Add cream cheese to a mixing bowl and beat well with electric beaters until smooth.Add both cans of sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest and mix again until smooth.Pour into prepared graham cracker crust.

  • Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Allow pie to cool for about 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours, before serving.

  • Whipped Cream Toppings: Add heavy cream to a mixing bowl and beat with electric mixers for 1 minute.Slowly add powdered sugar and vanilla and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe the whipped cream on top of the cooled pie.

Notes

Gingersnap Cookie Crust: Assemble and bake the same way.

  • 1 ½ cups crunchy gingersnap cookie crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted

Key Lime Juice: either juice about 20 small key limes, or (recommended) use a bottle of Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice (available at most grocery stores).

Make Ahead Instructions: You can make the graham cracker crust and mix the filling a few days in advance and store in the fridge until ready to assemble and bake. Baked key lime pie will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezing Instructions: Allow pie to cool completely. Add a small piece of parchment paper on top of the pie, then cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze key lime pie for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 7gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 242mgPotassium: 309mgSugar: 46gVitamin A: 780IUVitamin C: 6.4mgCalcium: 222mgIron: 0.6mg

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I originally shared this recipe August 2017. Updated November 2019 and May 2022 and November 2022.

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Categories

  • 4th of July
  • Dessert
  • Holiday
  • Pie
  • Special Occasion
  • Thanksgiving

About The Author

Key Lime Pie Recipe - Tastes Better From Scratch (12)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Key Lime Pie Recipe - Tastes Better From Scratch (2024)

FAQs

How do I make lime taste like key lime? ›

What is a key lime juice substitute: According to the internets, 1/2 lemon juice, and 1/2 regular lime juice.

What is the difference between key lime pie and Florida key lime pie? ›

The main difference seems to be that it requires a lot more of that aromatic Key lime juice to make the famous pie sing. It is worth the elbow grease, though, to get that true floral Key lime flavor—unless of course you can't find Key limes.

Can I use regular lime juice instead of key lime juice for a key lime pie? ›

Unless you live in the Florida Keys, key limes are near impossible to find. Furthermore, they're so tiny that you'd need to juice at least twenty of them for this recipe. No thank you! Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice.

What causes a key lime pie to thicken? ›

Combining the lime juice with the egg yolks and condensed milk creates a chemical reaction that causes the mixture to thicken all on its own (the acid causes the proteins in the yolks and milk to bond together).

How can I enhance the flavor of lime? ›

Some of the best dishes to compliment lime are those with strong flavors. For example, dishes with lots of spices or chili peppers can really benefit from the addition of lime. Its tartness can cut through the heat and really enhance the flavor of the dish. Another great example is seafood.

What makes Key lime flavor? ›

The Key lime has thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic and more aromatic than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). It is valued for its characteristic flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie.

Do key limes taste better than regular limes? ›

Key limes have a flavor that is different from regular limes. They are more acidic and have a more intense, tangy taste – more “lime-y,” if you will. Some people describe the flavor of key limes as slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness. They also have a floral aroma that is more noticeable than regular limes.

What does real Key lime pie taste like? ›

What does key lime pie taste like? Citrusy, sweet, and tart are the three words that come to mind when I think of key lime pie. Traditional key lime pie filling contains key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks giving it a sweet and slightly bitter flavor.

Why is my Key lime pie runny? ›

Why is my key lime pie filling runny? ​The filling is most likely under-baked when the filling is runny. Always check the consistency of the filling before taking it out of the oven - it should jiggle slightly when tapping the side of the pan. It should not look like liquidity at all.

What is Key lime pie filling made of? ›

Key lime pie ingredients are simple: sweetened condensed milk, lots of lime zest and juice (preferably from key limes), and just enough egg to give it a good set. Pour the filling into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, bake briefly until the pie is set, and let it chill. Top the pie with whipped cream and serve.

How do you cut limes for Key lime pie? ›

For a smaller lime, you can cut each half in half again lengthwise to create four wedges. For a larger lime, cut each half into three pieces for six wedges. Keep in mind that the wedge needs to be large enough to squeeze to remove the juice. You don't want to make it too small that you can't squeeze any juice out.

Can you overcook Key lime pie? ›

Don't overcook: Be careful not to overcook the filling. You want to bake the pie until it just sets with a slight giggle. If the pie becomes overcooked, it will have a rubbery and spongy texture as opposed to smooth and creamy.

Why is my Key lime pie crust soggy? ›

Finally, remember to pre-bake the crust first and then let it cool for 10–15 minutes before pouring in the filling. That goes for whether you're using graham crackers or ignoring our advice and trying pastry instead. Both will end up a soggy mess if you skip this step.

Why does my Key lime pie have bubbles? ›

If over cooked, even by a few minutes, it will result in a thicker undesired texture. After the 10 minutes you will begin to see little bubbles forming at the surface of the pie.

Do limes and Key limes taste the same? ›

Key limes tend to be small and seedy, with a distinctive lime flavor that is tart but not too acidic. They also have a distinct aroma, far more aromatic than common limes. 2 Grocery store limes, generally speaking, are Persian limes, the most widely commercially cultivated variety of lime.

What is key lime seasoning? ›

Key Lime Seasoning adds a tropical citrus flavor that can only come from Key West. This seasoning adds Key Lime flavor to shrimp, pork, seafood, and chicken dishes. Excellent when used for rimming a Margarita glass. Key Lime Seasoning- 5 OZ quantity.

What if I can't find Key limes? ›

NYT Cooking - If you can't find key limes, use regular limes in a pinch.

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