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Homemade Key Lime Pie

Deliciously tart and sweet, this Homemade Key Lime Pie uses simple ingredients to make the most scrumptious summer pie recipe!

A DELICIOUS SUMMER PIE RECIPE

I absolutely adore a Homemade Key Lime Pie, there is something about the yin and the yang of tartness and sweetness that makes a key lime pie work. You gotta get the balance just right though! I have been making this pie for years now since visiting Key West. I taste-tested a lot of pies in Key West to come up with (what I think) is the perfect Key Lime Pie recipe! This pie is sure to get eaten fast when you serve it!

Homemade Key Lime Pie on white plate topped with whipped cream and lime slice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I tell the difference between a lime and a key lime?

Not every produce department carries key limes. If they do, they will usually have a sign with the name of the fruit so it’s easy to identify. However, you can tell the difference between the two because key limes are smaller than limes. They sometimes have a lighter color than regular limes as well.

Can I use bottled lime juice?

Fresh really is best here. There truly is nothing like it and because it is the star of the show, you want it to have the most authentic flavor and bottled juices just don’t give you that. If you can’t find key limes, then just go with regular limes. It will still taste much better than bottled lime juice.
There is bottled key lime juice that you can buy (made by Nellie & Joe) that you could use if you really insist. Again, I’ve tasted it and don’t really love it. I would rather use fresh limes if I couldn’t find key limes.

Can I substitute the sour cream?

If you want to substitute the sour cream for something a little healthier you can go with plain non-fat Greek Yogurt.

Can I use a pre-made graham cracker crust?

If you want to cut some time then yes you can use a pre-made graham cracker crust for this recipe!

Does this pie have to chill?

Yes. To get the right texture and for it to set up properly, you will want to chill your Key Lime Pie for at least 3 hours.

How do I store?

Stored covered with plastic wrap, Key Lime Pie will keep for up 2-3 days in the refrigerator. This can also be frozen. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil and it will keep for up to 1 month. To defrost just remove to the refrigerator overnight.

Pinterest image of Homemade Key Lime Pie on white plate with whipped cream swirls and lime slice

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • graham cracker crumbs
  • granulated sugar
  • salted butter
  • fresh key lime juice
  • key lime zest
  • sweetened condensed milk
  • sour cream
  • egg yolks
  • whipped cream, optional
  • lime slices, optional
Ingredients needed: graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar. salted butter, fresh key lime juice, key lime zest, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream and egg yolks.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE KEY LIME PIE:

Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Prepare the crust adding the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and butter to bowl.

Graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in bowl.

Mix together until combined.

Spoon stirring up the graham cracker mixture.

Press it into a 9-inch pie plate and bake the crust for 10 minute, remove and set aside.

Crust pressed into bottom and up the sides of pie plate.

Make the filling by adding key lime juice, key lime zest, sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, and egg yolks to a bowl.

Filling ingredients in bowl.

Using a hand mixer, blend together the mixture until combined.

Hand mixer mixing up filling ingredients.

Pour the filling into the crust.

Bowl pouring filling into pie crust.

Bake the pie for 15 minutes. (Filling should be almost set).

Finished baked pie right out of oven.

Once the pie has cooled to room temperature, chill for 3 hours or more. Decorate with whipped cream and slices of lime, if desired.

Overhead of finished Homemade Key Lime Pie topped with whipped cream and lime slices.

Slice and enjoy!

Slice of Key Lime Pie on white plate with whole pie in background

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Square image of a slice of Key Lime Pie on white plate close up with whipped cream and lime

Homemade Key Lime Pie

Deliciously tart and sweet, this Homemade Key Lime Pie uses simple ingredients to make the most scrumptious summer pie recipe!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chill:: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 5 Tablespoons salted butter, melted

Filling:

  • 1 cup fresh key lime juice (about 9-10 limes)
  • 2 Tablespoons key lime zest
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 egg yolks
  • whipped cream and lime slices for topping (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Prepare the crust by combining 1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 5 Tablespoons salted butter, melted.
    Graham cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in bowl
  • Press it into a 9-inch pie plate and bake the crust for 10 minutes, remove and set aside.
    Crust pressed into bottom and up the sides of pie plate
  • Make the filling by adding 1 cup fresh key lime juice, 2 Tablespoons key lime zest, 2 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 cup sour cream and 2 egg yolks to a bowl.
    Filling ingredients in bowl
  • Using a hand mixer, blend together the mixture until combined..
    Hand mixer mixing up filling ingredients
  • Pour the filling into the crust.
    Bowl pouring filling into pie crust
  • Bake the pie for about 15 minutes. Filling may be just a little jiggly but should be mostly set.
    Finished baked pie right out of oven
  • Once the pie has cooled to room temperature, chill for 3 hours or more.
  • Decorate with whipped cream and lime slices, if desired.
    Overhead of finished Homemade Key Lime Pie topped with whipped cream and lime slices

Notes

  • If you can’t find key limes, regular lime juice and zest will work.
  • This pie can be frozen for up to 1 month.
  • If you want to cut time you can use a pre-made graham cracker crust.
  • If you are not a fan of sour cream, you can substitute with plain non-fat greek yogurt.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 289mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 64g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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2 Comments

  1. I cannot find key lime. Can I use regular lime? Someone gave me a piece and my grandson loves it. I want to make it for him and surprise him with it.

    1. You can, it just won’t have that signature tartness that you get with a traditional key lime pie. You could try adding a smidge of grapefruit juice to try and replicate that but to be honest, I’ve never done it.