Key Lime Pie

Indulge in a slice of this delicious key lime pie, made with a simple and foolproof recipe that will have you craving more. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

There is nothing quite as scrumptious as a fresh homemade Key Lime Pie. In fact, this is one of my favorite desserts. It really is quite an easy pie to make, even with a homemade graham cracker crust and the fresh flavor of key limes. This easy recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more. It is perfect for summer parties or a decadent dessert for a quaint dinner party. You don’t have to go to the Florida Keys to get your key lime pie fix.

You Gotta Love It!

• This easy lime pie is so incredibly delicious. It will quickly become a family favorite for birthdays, holidays, and potlucks.
• With a four-ingredient crust and four-ingredient filling, this pie comes together quickly and easily with great results.
• All the ingredients for this scrumptious dessert are readily available at your local grocery store.

Ingredients for Key Lime Pie

For the graham cracker crust

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: 12 graham crackers yield about 1 1/2 cups when finely ground
• Butter: salted or unsalted
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon: just a touch

For the key lime pie filling

• Sweetened condensed milk: not to be confused with evaporated milk
• Key limes: for zest and juice, use Persian limes if they are not available
• Sour cream: full-fat, please

Whipped cream topping

• Whipping cream
• Powdered sugar: to add a little sweetness
• Vanilla extract: the pure stuff, please

Why Use Key Limes?

The key lime is smaller, more yellow than green when ripe, and has both a sweet and tart taste. These delectable little limes are usually only available during the summer months here in the United States.

However, this pie is scrumptious when made with regular limes, too. If you get the chance to make this delectable pie with honest-to-goodness key limes, don’t pass up the chance. You will be delighted with the results, and you can be the judge of which one you like better.

How To Make Key Lime Pie

This is the nutshell version. See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.

In a medium bowl, stir together the graham crackers, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Press into a 9-inch pie plate and bake in the oven for about 7 minutes.  Let cool for about 30 minutes. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, sour cream, and lime zest. Pour the mixture into the cooled pie crust and bake for 9-10 minutes. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack before placing it in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours. 

Once the pie has chilled, using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe over the fully chilled pie. If desired, garnish with lime zest and lime slices.

Recipe Tips

• Key limes are a little less tart than Persian limes. However, they are usually only available here in the United States during the summer months.  I have found this pie just as delectable (albeit a little more tart) with Persian limes or, as we refer to them, regular limes.
• Making your own graham cracker crust is a breeze. Crush the graham crackers in a mini food processor or in a large zipper bag with a rolling pin. Then, press the crumbs into the pie plate using a spoon or the bottom of a metal measuring cup.
• Do not bake this pie for more than 9-10 minutes. Tiny bubbles will start to surface on the pie, but you can barely see them.

Storage Options

If preparing the whole pie in advance, it is best to stabilize your whipped cream.  That way, you are not in the kitchen piping your whipped cream at the last minute.

Store covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or flash freeze by putting it in the freezer until frozen, then covering it with several layers of plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

More Pie Recipes

Chocolate Pie

Strawberry Cheesecake Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Banana Cream Pie

Southern Pecan Pie

Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

This homemade key lime pie is an amazing treat! It’s a perfect combination of tart and sweet from key limes and creaminess from sour cream. Refreshing, flavorful, and sure to please any crowd!

5 from 49 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 323kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 6 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Key Lime Pie Filling

• 2 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
• ¾ cup key lime juice
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons grated key lime zest

Whipped Cream

• 1 cup whipping cream
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix the graham crackers, melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon together.  Press into a 9-inch pie pan and bake in the oven for 7 minutes.  Let cool for 30 minutes before starting the key lime filling.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, sour cream, and lime zest.  Pour into the cooled pie crust and bake for 9-10 minutes.  Cool to room temperature before placing in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.  While the pie is chilling, place the bowl and beaters for whipping the cream in the freezer.
• Once the pie has chilled, using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.  Spread or pipe over the fully chilled pie.
• If desired, garnish with lime zest and lime slices.

Notes

• Key limes are a little less tart than Persian limes. However, they are usually only available here in the United States during the summer months.  I have found this pie just as delectable (albeit a little more tart) with Persian limes or, as we refer to them, regular limes.
• Making your own graham cracker crust is a breeze. Crush the graham crackers in a mini food processor or in a large zipper bag with a rolling pin. Then, press the crumbs into the pie plate using a spoon or the bottom of a metal measuring cup.
• Do not bake this pie for more than 9-10 minutes. Tiny bubbles will start to surface on the pie, but you can barely see them

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

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