The Best Key Lime Pie Ever is a classic dessert that combines the tangy zest of fresh key limes with the creamy richness of a smooth filling and the buttery crunch of a graham cracker crust. This pie strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet, offering a refreshing and satisfying flavor that melts in your mouth. Whether for family gatherings, dinner parties, or casual weekend treats, this pie will impress everyone who takes a bite. With its vibrant taste and simple preparation, it’s truly the ultimate tropical dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup key lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until evenly combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, key lime juice, and key lime zest until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and spread it evenly. Bake again for 10 minutes, just until small bubbles form on the surface but do not brown. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.
- Chill and top: Once cooled, refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours or until fully set. In another bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe the whipped cream on top of the chilled pie before serving. Garnish with additional lime zest or thin lime slices for an extra burst of flavor.
Servings
Makes about 8 servings.
Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 6g
- Sugar: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
Notes
Use fresh key limes for authentic flavor; however, bottled key lime juice works perfectly if fresh ones are unavailable. Do not overbake the filling—once tiny bubbles appear, it’s ready to come out. The pie will continue to set as it cools. Store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
