• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pudge Factor

A food blog with everyday recipes, step-by-step directions and photos, and detailed recipes.

  • Recipe Index
  • Halloween Treats
  • Casseroles
  • Pasta
  • Just Recipes
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Halloween Treats
  • Casseroles
  • Pasta
  • Just Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pies

    Classic Key Lime Pie

    By Susan Ensley · Jun 16, 2024 · Updated: May 25, 2025

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    classic key lime pie
    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

    Ingredients for Classic Key Lime Pie

    Steps to Make Classic Key Lime Pie

    1. 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.
    adding sugar to graham cracker crumbs for crust
    1. 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
    adding melted butter to graham cracker mixture
    1. 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.
    pressing crust into pan
    1. 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.
    adding key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk to egg yolks
    1. Then, use an electric hand mixer to beat the filling for two minutes until it is smooth and creamy.
    beating classic key lime pie filling
    1. 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.
    adding key lime filling to baked crust
    1. 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.
    removing classic key lime pie from the oven

    Ingredients – Here’s What You’ll Need to Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream

    Ingredients for stabilized whipped cream

    Steps to Make the Stabilized Whipped Cream

    1. 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.
    adding powdered sugar to cream cheese for frosting
    1. Next, add the vanilla extract and cold heavy whipping cream. Then, beat everything together with the hand mixer until stiff peaks formed
    adding cream for frosting

    Steps to Finish the Classic Key Lime Pie

    1. Take the Classic Key Lime Pie out of the refrigerator and carefully remove the sides and bottom of the tart pan.
    key lime pie out of pan
    1. 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.
    placing whipped cream in piping bag
    1. 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.
    piping whipped cream on top of classic key lime pie

    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!

    Classic Key Lime Pie

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use regular limes instead of Key limes? 

    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.

    What is the difference between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk? 

    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.

    Can I use a pre-made graham cracker crust? 

    Absolutely! Pre-made graham cracker crusts are a convenient time-saver and work perfectly for classic key lime pie.

    How long will key lime pie last? 

    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

    • Berry Granola Tart
      Berry Granola Tart
    • toasted butter pecan Bundt Cake
      Toasted Butter Pecan Bundt Cake
    • Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
      Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Perfect Southern Pecan Pie
    • white chocolate coconut bundt cake
      White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake (AKA the Tom Cruise Cake)
    • Easy No-Bake Meyer Lemon Tiramisu
    • Death by Chocolate Mousse Tart
    • Italian Cream cake
      Italian Cream Cake - A Southern Classic

    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a review below. Then, share a picture on Instagram and tag @pudgefactor so we can see it.

    Don't forget to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, Flipboard, and Instagram.

    Thank you so much for visiting PudgeFactor. We hope you'll come back!

    Recipe

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, enjoy weekly doses of culinary inspiration as a bonus!

    Save Post

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Pudge Factor.

    Classic Key Lime Pie

    Susa Ensley
    Looking for a taste of paradise? Classic Key Lime Pie, the tangy & refreshing iconic dessert that perfectly captures the essence of Florida.
    5 from 4 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dessert, Pastry
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 338 kcal

    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!

    Tips/Notes

    The reason you should refrigerated it uncovered is that when you cover something at room temperature, then refrigerate it, condensation will form on top.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 338kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 6gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 706IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 147mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Classic Key Lime Pie
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @PudgeFactor or tag #pudgefactor

    More Pies

    • Easy Apple Pie Bites
      Quick and Easy Apple Pie Bites
    • Quick & Easy Mini Halloween S'Mores Pies
      Quick & Easy Mini Halloween S'Mores Pies

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Chula and Susan

    Welcome to PudgeFactor®.

    It’s great to have you here. We are Chula and Susan, a mother-and-daughter duo who love to cook and share our culinary creations with you.

    More about us →

    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Mail

    Beat the Heat with Frozen Treats

    • Mini ichocolate-dipped ce cream bars.
      Mini Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Bars
    • Chocolate cottage cheese fudgesicles.
      Creamy Chocolate Cottage Cheese Fudgesicles
    • Copycat Tropical Smoothie Hawaiian Breeze
      Copycat Tropical Smoothie Hawaiian Breeze
    • Nutella cottage cheese gelato.
      Viral TikTok Chocolate Nutella Cottage Cheese Gelato
    • Copycat Classic Orange Julius
    • Disney-Inspired Dole Whip.
      Easy Disney-Inspired Dole Whip
    • Homemade fresh peach ice cream.
      Homemade No-Egg Fresh Peach Ice Cream
    • Homemade Frozen Fresh Strawberry Yogurt

    See more Frozen Treat Recipes→

    Sites Featured In

    Popular Recipes

    • Easy Peasy British Sausage Rolls
      Easy Peasy British Sausage Rolls
    • Chicken Schnitzel with Mustard Cream Sauce
      Chicken Schnitzel with Mustard Cream Sauce
    • Homemade Waffle Cones
      Homemade Waffle Cones
    • Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies
      Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies

    See more Recipes→

    Footer

    © 2012–2025 · Pudge Factor®, LLC · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.