Key Lime Pie Time | How to Make This Ultimate Zesty Dessert

This sweet and zesty dessert gets its name from the key flavor of key limes, which are grown in the Florida Keys. This is why the Key lime pie is the official pie of Florida.

So, grab your friends and family and whip up a key lime pie to celebrate this delicious citrusy dish.

Key Lime Pie Time!
Photo by : Kaouther Djouada

Main Ingredients in Key Lime Pie

Graham Cracker Crust

Traditionally a key lime pie will use graham crackers as the base ingredient in the crust, alongside sugar and melted butter. However, some recipes will also add nuts and coconut shavings in addition to these three main ingredients. 

Key Limes

Of course, it’s not a surprise you need key limes for this recipe. Key limes are smaller, sweeter, and have thinner skin than regular limes. Using key limes in your pie filling will help create a soft, pale yellow base and a sweeter flavor than conventional limes. Both the zest and juice are used in the cold pie filling and to garnish the pie. Typically, you will need the juice of 10-20 key limes per pie. However, the total number will depend on how juicy and ripe your citrus fruits are. 

Although key limes are more traditional, they can be hard to find. Therefore, you can use Persian limes (most commonly found in supermarkets) as the next best alternative. However, they may be bitter, so you may wish to balance this with extra sugar in the base or a sweet whipped cream topping. 

It is best to avoid using bottled lime juice instead of fresh key lime juice as this can be overly tangy. 

Condensed Milk and Egg Filling

Most filling recipes will use sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks for the bulk of the lime pie filling, flavored with lime juice and the zest to compliment the sweet and creamy filling. 

When baking your pie at home, all you need to do is whisk these ingredients together, pour them onto your crust, bake and then leave to cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving. Although, some egg-free pie fillings are not baked and will just need to be left to chill for 3-5 hours to set. 

Key Lime Pie Toppings

Not only does presentation matter, but these additional ingredients can also add texture and bring out the taste of the tangy lime filling. 

Take your key lime pie recipe to the next level with these topping ideas: 

• Whipped cream or pipe whisked, sweet heavy cream

• Fresh lime segments or lime zest

• Toasted macadamia nuts or almonds

• Graham cracker crumbs

• Meringue

A Slice of Key Lime Pie
Photo by : Takuya Nagaoka

Key Lime Pie Recipes

Classic Key Lime Pie

Whip up a traditional key lime pie with this recipe for a graham cracker crust, a punchy lime filling, and a light creamy topping. Full recipe on King Arthur Baking. If you can’t get a hold of key limes, you can try this recipe with ordinary limes.

Macadamia Nut Crust Key Lime Pie

For a twist on the classic, add macadamia nuts to your refreshing key lime pie. The nuts add a crunch to the graham cracker crust, which pairs beautifully with the slightly sweeter yet tangy key lime juice filling. 

To show off your kitchen skills, add some homemade meringue topping and a sprinkle of crushed macadamia nuts.  Full recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction.

Allergen-Friendly Key Lime Pie

This vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free recipe is an excellent option when you are cooking for family or friends with dietary needs. Although this recipe doesn’t use graham crackers in the crust, it ensures the whole family can enjoy it and it is just as tasty. Full recipe on From My Bowl.

Enjoy key lime pie at your local bakery or cafe.
Photo by: Pavel Reyes Valdes

Enjoy a Slice!

Enjoy a slice of your homemade creamy dessert using one of the suggested key lime pie recipes, or find a local bakery offering this traditional pie from Florida. You could even take things up a notch and imagine you are enjoying your key lime pie on a beach in Florida by serving your dessert with a refreshing key lime cocktail such as a lime colada or lime daiquiri.

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @hyphenatedmag when you post a picture of your key lime pie so we can share your creation on our story to inspire others to bake this exquisite dessert.