Description
Whipping up this Key Lime Pie brings sunshine straight to your dessert plate, combining zesty citrus with creamy sweetness that feels like a Florida vacation. Smooth graham cracker crust and tangy filling make this classic treat a total crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling:
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 6 key limes
Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup melted butter
Garnish:
- Whipped topping
- Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice
Instructions
- Combine ⅓ cup melted butter and ¼ cup sugar in a medium bowl. Gently mix graham cracker crumbs into the buttery mixture.
- Press the crumb blend firmly into a 9-inch pie dish, ensuring an even layer across the bottom and sides. Use a measuring cup’s flat bottom for uniform distribution.
- Refrigerate the crust for 1 hour until completely set, or bake at 375°F for 5 minutes. Allow to cool completely before filling.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F, preparing for the pie’s final bake.
- Carefully zest 6 key limes to collect 2 teaspoons of zest. Juice the limes to obtain ½ cup liquid, supplementing with Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice if needed.
- Whip 4 egg yolks using an electric mixer until they transform to a pale yellow and thickened consistency. Gradually stream 14 ounces of sweetened condensed milk while continuing to mix.
- Incorporate the fresh lime juice and collected zest into the egg mixture. Blend until just combined, avoiding over-mixing.
- Pour the lime filling smoothly over your prepared crust. Bake at 350°F for exactly 15 minutes until the filling sets slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let the pie cool completely. Refrigerate for optimal texture and top with whipped cream before serving.
Notes
- Press the graham cracker crust firmly and evenly using a measuring cup or glass bottom to ensure a compact, sturdy base that won’t crumble when serving.
- Fresh key lime juice makes a significant difference in flavor, so squeeze your own limes if possible, but bottled key lime juice works perfectly fine as a backup.
- For a lighter version, swap regular sweetened condensed milk with a low-fat version and use a reduced-fat graham cracker crust to cut down on calories.
- When zesting limes, only scrape the green outer layer and avoid the bitter white pith underneath to maintain a clean, bright citrus flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg