Description
This Easy Key Lime Pie recipe delivers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors with a buttery graham cracker crust and a creamy, luscious filling made from fresh key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, this classic dessert is simple to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup freshly squeezed key lime juice
Topping
- Whipped cream for topping
- Optional: lime zest for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pie crust and filling.
- Prepare Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted unsalted butter until evenly mixed. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a pie dish to form the crust.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Remove and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Make Filling: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they become light and fluffy. Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk and freshly squeezed key lime juice, whisking continuously until the filling is smooth and well combined.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the filling mixture into the cooled crust, spreading it evenly. Bake in the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes until the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool and Chill: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours to allow it to fully set and chill.
- Serve: Before serving, top the pie with whipped cream and garnish with lime zest if desired for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the crust is fully cooled before adding the filling to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- The pie is best served chilled, so allow enough refrigeration time.
- You can substitute regular lime juice if key limes are unavailable, but flavor will differ slightly.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best tartness and aroma.
- To make the whipped cream topping more stable, whip cream with a bit of powdered sugar.
