Looking for the best Key Lime Pie recipe that perfectly balances sweet and tangy flavors? Our Classic Key Lime Pie is an easy homemade dessert that captures the essence of Florida with its refreshing lime filling and buttery graham cracker crust. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to pies, this easy Classic Key Lime Pie is your ticket to dessert perfection.

Jump to:
- Why You'll Want to Make Classic Key Lime Pie
- Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Classic Key Lime Pie
- Steps to Make Classic Key Lime Pie
- Ingredients – Here’s What You’ll Need to Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream
- Steps to Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream
- Steps to Finish the Classic Key Lime Pie
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Other Great Desserts
- Recipe
Why You'll Want to Make Classic Key Lime Pie
- A Taste of Sunshine: Classic Key Lime Pie is a refreshing and vibrant dessert, perfect for capturing those summer vibes at any time of year. The tartness of the limes cuts through the sweetness, making it a lighter and more invigorating option than heavier desserts.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: Don't be fooled by the easy-to-find ingredients. A Classic Key Lime Pie boasts a beautiful presentation with its vibrant yellow filling and contrasting graham cracker crust. It's a dessert that impresses with minimal effort.
- Baking for Beginners: Classic Key Lime Pie is a fantastic recipe for bakers of all experience levels. The ingredient list is straightforward, and the method is achievable even for those new to the kitchen.
- A Slice of History: Baking a Classic Key Lime Pie connects you to a piece of culinary history. It's a way to experience a taste of Florida's sunshine and resourcefulness, all rolled into one delicious dessert.
Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Classic Key Lime Pie
Steps to Make Classic Key Lime Pie
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the graham cracker crumbs in a large bowl and add the white sugar. Then, use a fork to combine.
- Next, melt unsalted butter in the microwave, then add it to the graham cracker crumb mixture. Use a fork to stir the butter into the graham cracker crumbs until the mixture resembled wet sand
- Then, pour the crust mixture into a non-stick 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom, or pie plate. Using your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form the crust. Place the pan on a parchment- lined baking sheet, just in case the butter leaked out of the pan, and baked it in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Remove the crust from the oven and set it on a wire cooling rack.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling by placing the egg yolks in a large bowl, then add the Key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk.
- Then, use an electric hand mixer to beat the filling for two minutes until it is smooth and creamy.
- Using a large ice cream scoop, transfer the filling into the baked crust. Return the pan to the 350°F oven and bake the Classic Key Lime Pie for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature. Once it reaches room temperature, placed the pan, uncovered, in the refrigerator overnight. The reason to refrigerate it uncovered is that when you cover something at room temperature and then refrigerate it, condensation will form on top. After it has been in the refrigerator overnight, make the stabilized whipped cream for the top.
Ingredients – Here’s What You’ll Need to Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream
Steps to Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream
- Make this right before you're ready to serve the Classic Key Lime Pie. Start by placing the room-temperature cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Then, use an electric hand mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.
- Next, add the vanilla extract and cold heavy whipping cream. Then, beat everything together with the hand mixer until stiff peaks formed
Steps to Finish the Classic Key Lime Pie
- Take the Classic Key Lime Pie out of the refrigerator and carefully remove the sides and bottom of the tart pan.
- Then, place a large star tip in a piping bag and using a large ice cream scoop, add the stabilized whipped cream to the piping bag.
- Next, pipe a ring of stabilized whipped cream around the edge of the Classic Key Lime Pie. Then, garnish the top with small pieces of limes.
Mastering authentic Classic Key Lime Pie recipe brings a slice of tropical paradise to your table. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or simply craving a refreshing treat, this easy Classic Key Lime Pie with its vibrant citrus notes and creamy texture is sure to impress. Don't miss out on creating the best Key Lime Pie your family and friends will rave about!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute regular limes for Key limes. However, I don't recommend it. Key limes offer a more intense tartness and floral aroma that is characteristic of classic key lime pie. Regular limes may result in a slightly less tart and flavorful pie.
Sweetened condensed milk has sugar added, while evaporated milk does not. Sweetened condensed milk is essential for the thick and creamy texture of the key lime pie filling.
Absolutely! Pre-made graham cracker crusts are a convenient time-saver and work perfectly for classic key lime pie.
Store leftover key lime pie in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Key Lime Love: If you can find them, fresh Key limes offer the most authentic flavor. However, bottled Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice is a great substitute.
- Beat it Good: Beat the egg yolks, Key lime juice, and sweetened condensed milk together thoroughly until smooth and well combined. This ensures a silky texture in the finished filling.
- Patience is a Virtue: Let the pie chill for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. This allows the filling to fully set and develop its signature creamy texture.
- Pulse, Don't Pulverize: If you can't find graham cracker crumbs, pulse graham crackers in a food processor until they resemble coarse crumbs. Avoid over-processing, which can lead to a tough crust.
Other Great Desserts
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Recipe
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Classic Key Lime Pie
Equipment
- 9-inch tart or pie pan
- Electric hand mixer
- large ice cream scoop
- piping bag
- large star tip
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 ½ c Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 5 tbs Unsalted Butter melted
- 3 tbs White Sugar
For the Filling
- ½ c Key Lime Juice
- 6 Egg Yolks
- 15 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
For the Stabilized Whipped Cream
- 3 oz Cream Cheese at room temperature
- ⅓ c Powdered Sugar
- 1 c Heavy Whipping Cream cold
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
To Make the Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Place the graham cracker crumbs in a large bowl with the white sugar, then stir them together with a fork to combine.
- Add the melted unsalted butter, then stir into the graham cracker crumbs until it resembles wet sand.
- Pour the crust mixture into a non-stick 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom (or a 9-inch pie plate).
- Then, using your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the tart pan to form the crust. Place the pan on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the crust from the oven and set it on a wire cooling rack.
To Make the Filling
- In a large bowl, place the egg yolks, the Key lime juice, and the sweetened condensed milk.
- Using an electric hand mixer, beat the filling for two minutes until it is smooth and creamy.
- Then, using a large ice cream scoop, transfer the filling into the baked crust. Return the pan to the 350°F oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack until it reaches room temperature. Once it reaches room temperature, place the tart pan, uncovered, in the refrigerator overnight.
To Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream
- (Make this right before you are ready to serve the pie.) Place the room-temperature cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large bowl. Beat for 2-3 minutes using an electric hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the vanilla extract and cold, heavy whipping cream. Beat with the hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
To Finish the Classic Key Lime Pie
- Remove the Classic Key Lime Pie from the refrigerator. If you used a tart pan, carefully remove the sides and bottom of the pan. If you use a pie pan, you can leave it in the pan.
- Then, place a large star tip in a piping bag and using a large ice cream scoop, add the stabilized whipped cream to the piping bag.
- Next, pipe a ring of stabilized whipped cream around the edge of the Classic Key Lime Pie. Garnish with small pieces of limes.
- Yield 12 servings. Enjoy!
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