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Key Lime Pie

[heart_this] · Feb 23, 2009 · 80 Comments

Key Lime Pie

I have been hearing about key lime pies for a while and I have been wanting to try one. Unfortunately I had been unable to find them, that is until last week. I was bit surprised when I saw them at the grocery store and I grabbed a bag of them immediately. A key lime pie is a pie that is made with key lime juice, egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and a pie crust. The leftover egg whites are commonly used to make a meringue topping. I decided to skip the meringue topping to keep things simple and the pie was really easy to make. Once you have a pie crust you pretty much just need to mix everything and then bake. The hardest part was juicing all of those little key limes. The key lime pie turned out great! It was a little bitter on the first day but it mellowed out nicely on the second day. The key lime pie was nice and cool and creamy and full of an amazing lime flavour. I served the key lime pie with whipped cream. The sweetness of the whipped cream and the graham cracker crust went well with the tartness of the key lime pie. This pie is disappearing quickly!

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie

Prep Time: 3 hours 20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes Servings: 6
ingredients
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1 graham cracker crust (prebaked)
directions
  1. Whisk the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, key lime juice and lime zest in a large bowl until smooth.
  2. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.
  3. Bake in a preheated 300F/150C oven until set, about 20 minutes.
  4. Let cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Graham Cracker Crust

Graham Cracker Crust

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 6
ingredients
  • 8 large graham crackers
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
directions
  1. Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until they become crumbs.
  2. Mix in the sugar.
  3. Mix in the vanilla and the butter.
  4. Pour the mixture into a pie plate and press it down firmly.
  5. Bake in a preheated 375F/190C oven until it just starts to brown, about 8-10 minutes.
Similar Recipes:
Meyer Lemon Bars
Lemon Meringue Pie
Blueberry Crumb Bars with Lemon Cream Filling
Lime Meltaways

Dessert, Food, Pie, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chocolate Shavings says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:34 am

    That looks delicious Kevin!

    Reply
  2. VeggieGirl says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:52 am

    MMM, FABULOUS!!

    Reply
  3. Bridgett says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:30 am

    A simple yet fabulous pie. This looks wonderful.

    Reply
  4. K. Grace says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:37 am

    my favorite dessert!

    Reply
  5. Sara says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:48 am

    This looks so delicious! I love key limes, I prefer them to regular limes.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:00 am

    this is probably the only dessert on the planet I haven’t tried yet. You are so tempting me.

    Reply
  7. jillian says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:01 am

    I love key lime pie. This looks simply wonderful!

    Reply
  8. Dana McCauley says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:16 am

    Great looking pie and very on trend! In fact, I’m posting tomorrow about how varietal citrus (meyer lemons, key limes, blood oranges) are trending up.

    Feel free to pop over tomorrow and add a link to your recipe in the comments section.

    Reply
  9. Foodess says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:35 am

    haha I love the photo of the crumbs! I’ve never made a key lime pie, either, only because I have never seen key limes in the market. Are they sweeter than regular limes, do you know?

    Reply
  10. Chris says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:53 am

    Great work, it looks amazing.

    Reply
  11. Elra says

    February 24, 2009 at 5:35 am

    This is a favorite of mine Kevin. Delicious indeed.
    Cheers,
    Elra

    Reply
  12. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:05 am

    Can I have a slice of that gorgeous pie, please ;-P?… Yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  13. Diana says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:20 am

    I was just telling my friend that I’ve never had key lime pie before! Yours looks really great — maybe I’ll have to whip one up to try sometime.

    Reply
  14. Nina Timm says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:37 am

    I would not have left even the crumbs on that plate, Kevin! Love, Love, Love key lime pie!!!

    Reply
  15. Adam F says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:44 am

    Sorry to hear that your first Key Lime Pie turned out bitter at first. I searched for her recipe to check it out to see if it was any different, my only suggestion is adding about 2 TBSP more of lime juice. (However, if the pie that you had was both sweet and tart[even more so than sweet] enough for you, I would forgo the extra juice if you ever make it again)

    This was one of my favorite desserts that my grandmother used to make for me. Once again though, you have me salivating, eagerly wishing that I could reach my hand through that screen, if only to take a small tasting.

    Reply
  16. Amanda says

    February 24, 2009 at 7:10 am

    looks ultra simple to make but so elegant at the same time.

    Reply
  17. The Cooking Ninja says

    February 24, 2009 at 7:29 am

    My mother in law would love this 🙂 That looks delicious.

    Reply
  18. PG says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:10 am

    I had not heard of this one before. I’m sure I’m gonna love this. Delicious!

    Reply
  19. chriesi says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:59 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  20. Leslie says

    February 24, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Oh how I LOVE Key lime pie. But you are riight those itty bitty Key Limes are a bitch to get the juice out of!!!

    Reply
  21. Hayley says

    February 24, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Beautiful pie Kevin! I’ve always wanted to do something with those tiny key limes. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  22. Darius T. Williams says

    February 24, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    This looks good sir…mighty good and I LOVE a good key lime pie – it’s actually one of my faves.

    Reply
  23. christina says

    February 24, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    i love key lime pie! it’s especially great in the summer – when frozen 🙂

    Reply
  24. Jenn Sutherland says

    February 24, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    This is quite possibly my favorite dessert of all time. I first tasted it when I was about 4 years old, while on vacation with my family in florida. I was hooked immediately on this tart-sweet dessert. This reminds me that I need to come up with a way to make a good gluten-free graham crust. YUM.

    Reply
  25. Katie says

    February 24, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    I love Key lime pie, but I hate juicing all of those tiny limes! Glad to see yours turned out well.

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Oh my,looks tempting Kevin..I just need one portion..

    Reply
  27. Sophie says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Kevin, you have done it again!!! this looks super delicious!!! MMMMMM….

    Reply
  28. lisaiscooking says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    Looks fantastic. Wish I could have a piece now!

    Reply
  29. creativecarryout says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    Key lime pie has been on my list too, but I can’t find the key limes around here. I’m keeping my eye out for them now, more than before. Yours looks yummy!
    Michelle
    http://oneordinaryday.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  30. Joanne says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    I am such a key lime pie lover…lime has always been one of my favorite flavors. I would have skipped the meringue as well…I don’t really love the texture. Looks fabulous!

    Reply
  31. Culinary Cory says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    The only thing I can say is YUM!

    Reply
  32. Adrienne says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:49 pm

    I made a key lime cheesecake for my roommate's birthday last year (http://hungrybruno.blogspot.com/2008/10/key-lime-cheesecake-for-hughs-birthday.html) and it was AWESOME. Also, if you like the flavor of key limes but want to skip the work, Nellie & Joe's bottled key lime juice does the trick nicely. Yum!

    Reply
  33. Kirby! says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    Key Lime Pie is one of my FAVORITE desserts (probably 2nd only to cheesecake!). The best piece I have ever had was in Key West, Florida, where I believe it originated…. this recipe looks very tasty too!

    Reply
  34. Debbie says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    Kevin, that looks just delicious!

    Reply
  35. Cheryl says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Ohh man everyone is making them, yours looks delicous!

    Reply
  36. Dana Treat says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    Good for you for waiting for the key limes. The flavor is so different from regular limes and is just so delicious!

    Reply
  37. JJ says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Just wanted to let you know you can use Nellie & Joe's key lime juice to make your key lime pie. You can check with your local grocer or you can order it online.
    http://www.keylimejuice.com/
    It's always worked well for me. I use the recipe on the bottle and top with fresh whipped cream.

    Reply
  38. lisa (dandysugar) says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    Ooh, I love key lime pie! It’e one of my favorites. This looks tempting!

    Reply
  39. Vij says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Gorgeous key lime pie! yummmmmmmmy!

    Reply
  40. Rita says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    I haven’t had a key lime pie in years. Looks like a nice slice!

    Reply
  41. Michelle says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    I LOVE key lime pie, its about time I try it at home, thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  42. Pam says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:56 pm

    Yum. I love key lime pie but have never made my own – this looks really tasty Kevin.

    Reply
  43. Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says

    February 24, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    Incredible looking!!

    Reply
  44. Jennifer says

    February 24, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    This must be key lime pie week as this is the second post I have found. My husband loves this pie and during the winter months when I am lazy, I try to keep him happy with key lime yogurt. lame eh?

    Reply
  45. Nirvana says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    this looks delicious! 🙂

    Reply
  46. Jeena says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    I’d love a slice of this. 🙂

    Reply
  47. Paula says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Mmmm … I laughed at the empty plate photo! Key lime pie is one of the all time great pies. Well done!

    Reply
  48. Natashya says

    February 24, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    I love key lime pie – looks wonderful!

    Reply
  49. Anonymous says

    February 24, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    Can you just say it serves 2, so we don’t feel bad for eating it all?

    Reply
  50. tigerfish says

    February 24, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    Now you see it, now you don’t! Hhaha!

    Reply
  51. dishesdone says

    February 24, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    My all time fave pie! Yours looks super!

    Reply
  52. Aggie says

    February 24, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Oh key lime pie is a favorite of mine! am bookmarking this recipe for the future!!

    Reply
  53. pigpigscorner says

    February 24, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Sounds like my kind of pie! Looks really delicious

    Reply
  54. Mike of Mike's Table says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    Being in Florida, it almost goes without saying that this is an old favorite. It looks great!

    Reply
  55. Elizabeth says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    I love that you skipped the meringue altogether! I hate meringue – the key lime is the best part of the pie!

    Reply
  56. Jennifer says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    Nothing beats a refreshing Key Lime pie! (my husbands fav)!

    Reply
  57. Melissa says

    February 24, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    mmm…I love key lime pie. It has so much flavor to it.

    Reply
  58. Karen says

    February 24, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Key lime pie is the best. I prefer it without the meringue, too.

    Reply
  59. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

    February 25, 2009 at 12:05 am

    I’m all for using bottled key lime juice to make key lime pie. Garnish with a few thin slices of key lime to get that fresh fruity flavor.

    Reply
  60. Anonymous says

    February 25, 2009 at 1:34 am

    Where did you find the key limes? And I’m so glad your pie filling isn’t that unappetizing shade of neon green…

    Reply
  61. cindy* says

    February 25, 2009 at 2:14 am

    yum! i love key lime anything.

    Reply
  62. Not Another Omnivore says

    February 25, 2009 at 2:33 am

    Second key lime pie I’ve seen today, and both have looked fabulous!

    NAOmni

    Reply
  63. Mrs Ergül says

    February 25, 2009 at 2:40 am

    I have never seen any key limes around too. Now I will grab them when I see them! I was just thinking if an automatic juicer will juice these tiny limes nicely?

    Reply
  64. Katie says

    February 25, 2009 at 6:52 am

    That looks delicious – reminds me of lemon pie! I’ve never tried it before but I will have to give that recipe a whirl – it seems so simple to make!

    Reply
  65. Anonymous says

    February 25, 2009 at 7:41 am

    Looks yummy! Loved the last pic where only the crumbs are visible 🙂

    Reply
  66. Gloria says

    February 25, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Love Pies Kevin and this look awesome!!! delicious!!! Gloria

    Reply
  67. elly says

    February 25, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    Key lime is one of my favorite pies, but I’ve never made one on my own. Seems easy enough so I will definitely give this a try if I find some key limes!

    Reply
  68. Lori says

    February 25, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    I haven’t had or made Key Lime Pie in so long. This looks so great! You’ve inspired me. It is the perfect spring/summer dessert!

    Reply
  69. meeso says

    February 25, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    Wow, really awesome… You can even make awesome desserts!

    Reply
  70. zerrin says

    February 25, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    Taht seems amazing! I’ve just tried the banana version. I’ll see the result tomorrow. Now it’s in the refrigerator, resting… I hope I won’t regret not seeing yours before.

    Reply
  71. Kevin says

    February 26, 2009 at 2:02 am

    Foodess: Key Limes are more acidic and have a stronger aroma than regular limes.

    Reply
  72. Jude says

    February 26, 2009 at 7:39 am

    I love tart desserts with citrus. Whenever I see key limes the first thing I think of are pies.

    Reply
  73. Ingrid says

    February 26, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    I’ll take a slice of that please!

    Love the specks of zest….makes my jaw start to tingle!
    ~ingrid

    Reply
  74. Samta says

    March 1, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    Awesome stuff – its my favourite dessert.

    You have an amazing blog Kevin.

    Reply
  75. Sara says

    March 3, 2009 at 8:02 pm

    I love key lime pie but just made it for the first time last year. I have been patiently waiting for the first bags of key limes to pop up at the store so I can start key lime pie mania 2009! Yours looks wonderful and is almost identical to my favorite recipe.

    Reply
  76. Anonymous says

    March 28, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    To juice those little Key limes easily, pick up a stainless steel garlic press with a removable strainer (about $8 at the grocery). Most bagged limes will work halved — some you’ll have to quarter. Takes the hard work out and leaves that perfectly fresh flavor you cannot find in a bottle! Bon apetit!

    Reply
  77. Anonymous says

    November 1, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    Another trick for juicing the limes is to use a potato ricer. Cut a lime in half, drop it in the ricer, and away you go.

    I have tried a very similar recipe, but I found that the sweetened condensed milk was a little too sweet. Instead, I've found that I prefer making a curd as the base for the pie.

    Reply
  78. Anonymous says

    January 5, 2010 at 10:48 pm

    Someone here said that those Key Limes are a Bitch to Get the Juice out of. That is an understatement. Back in the 90's I worked for Kutchie Pelaez at His Kutcharitaville Key West Cafe! One of my Jobs while working at Kutchie's was juicing those little Son's of Bitches! Three of us worked
    around the clock just juicing those little farts! Kutch also bought pure Key Lime Juice in gallon jugs full. You talk about
    Key Lime Juice, well that's a job
    that I never want to do again.
    Kutchie Pelaez Bakes "The World's Greatest Key Lime Pie", and That Is True! He just hardly can Keep-Up with the demand for those Pies! I haven't lived in Asheville
    for the past 10-years but I can Still Taste Kutchie's Awesome Key Lime Pies and His Goody Goody Cheese Burgers in Paradise. If I can Get a Vacation Next Summer, I think that we will head over to Kutchie's Little Island and Get Another Fix of Kutchie's Tastes of Paradise! I just thought that I
    would pass that along.

    thanks,…..Mark Bryant…El Paso,Texas

    Reply
  79. Daniella Reyna says

    November 30, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    I’m beyond impressed and this website never fails to disappoint me. I only had to buy two ingredients as i had everything in my pantry/fridge so, this was super friendly on my wallet. 5 ingredients? Call me in!!

    Reply
  80. Shirley Benner says

    April 4, 2019 at 8:20 pm

    I love yuzu flavor. Do you think the flavor world work for this recipe?

    Reply

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Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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