This Key Lime Pie is made with creamy condensed milk and plenty of key lime juicy in a graham cracker crust, for the perfect tart and sweet combination.
My super easy key lime pie recipe is just as delicious as my Key Lime No-Bake Cheesecake. Perfect for a cool and refreshing treat during the summer or any holiday.
Easy Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie is an iconic dessert. It’s tangy and refreshing!
We’re making this is Key Lime Pie with sweetened condensed milk, which results in a velvety smooth filling, in a crisp and buttery graham cracker crust, creating a lovely balance of flavors and texture.
What Are Key Limes?
A Key Lime is a type of hybrid lime commonly grown in the Florida Keys. They are usually smaller in size than normal limes and start to turn yellow as they begin to ripen. They taste slightly different than regular limes with a more citrusy flavor, which makes them a lovely variety to use in baking.
If you’re unable to get your hands on key limes, substitute them with a mixture of fresh lemon and lime juice (half lemon, half lime).
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need for this simple Key Lime Pie recipe. As always, you can find the full ingredient list in the printable recipe card below.
- Graham Cracker Crust – store-bought is so easy!
- Eggs
- Key Limes
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Sour Cream – full fat
- Whipped Cream – optional for topping
How To Make Key Lime Pie
This easy summer pie recipe starts with a graham cracker crust that is par-baked to firm it up, then making a custard-like sweet filling and baking it to perfection. Once set, its silky smooth texture is king in every slice!
Prepare The Crust
Brush the graham cracker crust lightly with beaten egg white then bake for five minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
PRO TIP: The egg white coating baked into the crust helps seal it and prevent it from getting soggy. It also firms it up for crisper slices that don’t crumble.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Make Key Lime Pie Filling
Meanwhile combine the egg yolks, key lime juice, lime-zest, sweetened condensed milk, and sour cream in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Transfer to Pie Crust
Make sure the crust is completely cooled, then pour the key lime pie filling into the prepared crust. It should almost fill the pie shell.
Bake for 25-27 minutes, then remove from the oven and let cool to room temp, 1-2 hours. It will still be slightly jiggly in the center. The pie will set firmly when chilled.
Chill in the fridge for at least three hours, then serve with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!
PRO TIP: In order for the pie filling to set correctly, the internal baking temperature should get to about 135 degrees. You can always check with an instant-read thermometer.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure you plan ahead for this pie recipe. Make it at least 4-6 hours before serving so it has enough time to cool and chill properly! Crisp slices depend on it.
- If you’re unable to get key limes, substitute them with a mixture of fresh lemon and lime juice (half lemon, half lime).
How to Store Key Lime Pie
Make Ahead: You can make the pie as directed and chill (covered) for 1-2 days before serving.
Refrigerate: Any leftovers should be refrigerated. They can be stored covered up to 3 days, but the crust will get soggy past 1-2 days.
Freeze: Chill the pie completely before placing in the freezer, uncovered. Once solid, wrap in foil and store in a large zip-close bag for up to 2 months. Defrost in fridge for 24 hours before serving.
More Summer Pie Recipes
These are a few of our favorite easy pies to make in summer. They’re fruity and refreshing!
This delicious Key Lime Pie Recipe is so silky in texture, tangy, and sweet. It’s the perfect summer pie to brighten your day!
Key Lime Pie Recipe
Ingredients
- 9 inch graham cracker pie crust
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
- ¾ cup key lime juice
- 1 ½ tsp lime zest
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- Whipped Cream, optional for topping
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the graham cracker pie crust with the lightly beaten egg white, then bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Reduce oven to 350 degrees F.
- Meanwhile combine the egg yolks, key lime juice, lime zest, sweetened condensed milk, and sour cream in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth. Pour into the prepared crust.
- Bake for 25 to 27 minutes, until the top is mostly set, but the whole pie is still a little jiggly, then remove from oven and let cool to room temp.
- Chill in fridge for at least three hours, then serve with whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
PIN THIS IMAGE TO SAVE THE RECIPE:
Yinny Chen
If I make my own graham cracker crust, should I have the crust already baked or unbaked for this recipe?
Shawn
If you do your own crust just press the crumbs into your pie dish and then brush with the egg whites like the recipe states. 🙂
Shauna
I followed the recipe. Used bottled lime juice and it tasted awesome! However it wasn’t firm as I want it. Is there any advice you can give me for a FIRM, tasty key lime pie?
Beth
I’m using a gluten free crust, do I still brush the egg white over it and cook it for 5 min?
Shawn
I would still do the egg white wash with the gluten free crust. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Kathy M
I was so thrilled to find bottled key lime juice. But Wow, the pie was tart. Any tips for bottled juice? Dilute it or use less? The pie was silky and beautiful otherwise.
Shawn
Key Lime juice is definitely on the tart side, if you want to tame the tart you could try to make a simple syrup with the key lime juice. In a small saucepan heat the lime juice with about 1/4 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved. Let it cool completely then measure out the 3/4 cups needed and continue with the recipe. Hope that helps!
Kathy M
Thanks for the clear explanation. I will give it a try.
Carmen
Just made it! Looks great…can’t wait to taste it!
Louise
Hi Shawn,
I wanted to try this lovely pie, but before I start, can you tell me approx. how big the pan or form you have used for it is? 🙂
Mariesa Danai
Hi can I use regular limes instead of key limes which we seldom see in Alberta? Looks great!
Shawn
Try an equal combination of lime juice and lemon juice if you can’t get ahold of key limes. 🙂
Nicole
I made this today for my husband for father’s day. It was so tasty!
Shawn
I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it! Thanks Nicole! 🙂
Michelle
Your pie looks gorgeous! I tried but somehow it didn’t harden in the oven (like it’s all watery in after 15 mins). It is suppose to harden up after chilling? Thanks a lot!
Shawn
Hi Michelle! Yes, the pie will still be quite soft when you take it out of the oven. Just make sure you see some tiny bubbles come to the surface before you remove it from the oven. Then let it cool at room temp, then in the fridge for 3 or more hours. The pie should be thickened by then, like a silky pudding. 🙂 hope that helps!
Diane {Created by Diane}
I just LOVE key lime pie and this looks yummy! It is going on my TO Do list right now.
Dave
Very Yummy!
Dina
classic recipe! yum!
Isabel
i LOVE key lime pie! i’ve been craving it ever since my son was born 3 months ago. i don’t have time during the day to bake anything but as soon as my hubby comes home he gets to babysit while i make yet another key lime pie.. if it weren’t for the calories… but a breastfeeding mother needs some extra, right?!
Amy
Looks great! I’ve never tried to make key like pie before, but you’ve inspired me. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Emily
Absolutely beautiful photography!
Shawn
Ah thanks Emily! I love these photos too, I am particularly proud of the first one. I think it could be a magazine cover…just sayin. Lol 😉
Steve @ The Black Peppercorn
Love Love Love key lime pie!! this looks delish!
Shawn
Thanks Steve! 🙂
nessa
The picture of Cassidy is so precious! And the pie looks sinful! I know what I’m having for dinner tonight…:)
Shawn
Haha, thanks Nessa! (btw- my daughter’s name is Twila. But Cassidy is cute too!) 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I so love this recipe Shawn! And the eating. Mine isn’t there yet – she’s too picky. She does, however, eat thirds of treats when I’m not looking. If only she’d go for the pasta!
Shawn
Thanks Dorothy, I bet our girls would get along just great! 🙂
Mel
We are on the same wavelength! Both of your pies sounds fabulous…seriously perfect for the warm summer. And don’t worry, console yourself knowing your kids aren’t the only ones having to fend for themselves. 🙂
Chels R.
I totally hear ya with the oldest daughter thing. My oldest daughter is 9 (EEEK) and she almost always gets an adult plate now and if we give her a smaller one, she complains, lol! And I know, training bras are right around the corner for us. We’ve already had to have the Aunt Flo talk because she was asking questions. Oh questions….! This pie looks amazing! My parents are huge Key Lime lovers so I’ll have to make this for them some time 🙂
Stephanie Daigneault
Cool! I have been craving key lime pie! Gonna try it.
Allison
This sounds awesome!! I love making pies but I’m sorry to admit I’ve never tried to make a key lime pie. :(. Now that I know I have a recipe from a fabulous source, I’m going for it! How many key limes do you suppose are needed for 3/4 cup?
Shawn
Thanks Allison!! It took me about 20 key limes to get the 3/4 cup of juice. I sure hope you like it as much as we did! 🙂