This classic, easy, Key Lime Pie recipe is a refreshing treat! Start with a simple homemade graham cracker crust, fill it with a 3-ingredient key lime filling, and top everything off with a sweet, fluffy whipped cream.
This is a simple, refreshing, and timeless dessert. I taste-tested so many variations before settling on this final recipe, and it’s definitely a keeper! I hope you love it as much as my family does! Be sure to check out the video at the bottom of the recipe for step-by-step instructions.
I get this obnoxious notion in my head once a recipe’s been on my site for too long that I didn’t do it proper justice the first time around. For example, I originally shared this Key Lime Pie recipe over 3 years ago as a gift for my Dad on Father’s Day. I vividly remember laboring over the recipe until I was finally happy with it, and I distinctly recall that it was well-received and promptly devoured.
But when I decided I wanted to make a video and breathe new life into an old recipe, I was sure that my original recipe could be improved on. I mean, haven’t I learned so much in the past 3+ years? Surely I could make a better pie, right? And so I tried.
I tried variation after variation, playing with vanilla extract additions, renditions made with sour cream instead of egg yolks, visa versa, and combinations of the two. Cream was added, condensed milk was added in a number of different measurements, and I kept a chart of everything different about each version of the recipe.
And then, I made my dad (and at least 5 other members of my immediate family, but it’s my Dad’s favorite dessert so he’s the authority) come over and blind taste-test each one and give me their verdict, voting for which was the ultimate, best.
And the winner was….
The very same recipe I originally shared over 3 years ago. Yup.
If I had any faith in myself I could have spared my local grocery store well over a gallon of condensed milk and myself hours of time, but here we are back at the beginning and I’m happy to (re-)share the verified best Key Lime Pie recipe with you.
So, What Makes a Good Key Lime Pie?
This was tough, and everyone has different tastebuds, but my taste-testers and I agreed that the BEST version would be one that was:
- Definitively tart, without making your mouth totally pucker — you need to be able to eat the whole slice and some pies are so tart I can’t make it past one or two bites!
- Sweet, but in a way that complemented the tartness without overwhelming it.
- Simple to make; why change a good simple classic by complicating it with fancy ingredients or techniques!?
- No frills, no surprise twist, just a comfortingly predictable and classic, crumbly graham cracker crust, a creamy filling with a tart lime bite, and a fluffy, thick, sweet homemade whipped cream topping.
Check, check, check, and check.
Classic Ingredients
In addition to the staple graham cracker crust and the (not-so) optional whipped cream, a classic Key Lime Pie has just three ingredients:
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Egg yolks
- Key lime juice
After a lot of experimentation (ahem, see above), I definitely believe that keeping it simple with just these three ingredients is best. I tried versions with vanilla extract (it just detracts from the pure key lime flavor of the pie, don’t do it!) and sour cream (not bad, just simply not as good, it works great in my cheesecake recipe but not here), but in the end, the classic won.
Can I use Regular Limes?
No. Key limes aren’t just smaller and more obnoxious to squeeze than regular limes, they also have a different acidity and flavor to them. While some people will argue that you can substitute an equal amount of lime juice for key lime juice, I cannot recommend it myself (at least not without further testing, and I’m currently all test-ed out).
I am OK, however, with using bottled key lime juice if you are unable to find fresh key limes in your supermarket. It’s very difficult for me to find fresh key limes where I live and when I do find them they’re usually of questionable quality, so I’ve used the bottled version with success many times — do make sure it’s bottled key lime juice, though!
How to Store
This pie will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, just cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If you’d like to freeze your pie, wrap it tightly and completely and it will keep for up to a month in the freezer.
If using whipped cream topping, do not add this before freezing your pie.
Enjoy!
More Recipes You Might Like:
Recipe video at the bottom of the post! If you enjoy watching my cooking videos, Iโd love it if you would consider subscribing to my YouTube channel <3
Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 ยฝ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar sugar
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) butter melted
Filling
- 2 cups (475 ml) sweetened condensed milkยน
- 6 large egg yolks
- โ cups (160 ml) key lime juiceยฒ
Whipped Cream
- ยพ cup (180 g) heavy whipping cream
- ยผ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
- ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C).
Graham Cracker Crust
- In a medium-sized bowl, stir together graham cracker crumbs and sugars. Stir in melted butter until well-combined.1 ยฝ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs, 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar sugar, 6 Tablespoons (85 g) butter
- Press crumb mixture into bottom and up the sides of a 9.5″ pie pan.
- Set pie crust in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling.
Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together condensed milk and egg yolks until well combined.2 cups (475 ml) sweetened condensed milkยน, 6 large egg yolks
- Stir in key lime juice and whisk until slightly thickened (about 2 minutes).โ cups (160 ml) key lime juiceยฒ
- Pour into pie crust and bake on 350F (175C) for 18 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before transferring to refrigerator.
- Chill overnight or at least 6 hours.
Homemade Whipped Cream Toppingยณ
- Before serving pie, combine heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat until stiff peaks are achieved (the mixture should have a thick, light, “Cool-Whip” like consistency).ยพ cup (180 g) heavy whipping cream, ยผ cup (30 g) powdered sugar, ยฝ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pipe or spread over chilled pie. Slice and serve.
Notes
Storing and Freezing
This pie will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator, cover with plastic wrap or foil.ย If freezing, do not add whipped cream until you are ready to serve. To freeze, wrap tightly and thoroughly with plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to one month. If thawing the whole pie, return to the refrigerator several hours before serving and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator, if thawing a single slice allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for 45-60 minutes before enjoying.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Since I originally shared this recipe for my dad on Father’s Day, I’m leaving in this photo from the original post — here’s my dad making an embarrassing reference at my wedding.
Recipe originally published 06/22/2015, photos and text updated 08/29/2018. Not the recipe, though, that was evidently just right as written and remains the same, albeit with a few additional (hopefully helpful) notes.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
Awww, you look gorgeous on your wedding, Sam! And this lime pie looks yummylicious.
Sam
๐ Thank you Anu! ๐
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four
What a beautiful post, Sam! I love the photo of you and your dad from your wedding – so sweet! As for this pie, it looks so refreshing and fitting for summer. You’re right; this is one pie that just screams pool days and summer! And the fact that you won over chocolate lovers with this just shows how delicious it must be. I will definitely bookmark this to make for my next bbq! Thank you! ๐
Sam
Thank you so much Beeta! ๐
Vanessa @ Vanessa Baked
I would love a slice of this pie! You look beautiful, on your wedding day!
Sam
Thank you Vanessa! ๐
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies
That key lime pie looks fabulous, al that fluffy, dreamy whipped cream is what my dreams are made for. Would really love to have a slice.
Sam
Thank you Katalina! ๐
GiGi Eats
Never in my life have I ever had a key lime pie, and sadly, I don’t think I ever will be able to! I have to experiment hard core in the kitchen to find something I can chow down on!
Sam
Oh no! I’m sure you will figure something out experimenting, though! Good luck Gigi!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter
Your key lime pie looks perfect! Love that you made this classic dessert for your dad! What a great picture of you and your dad too, you look beautiful!
Sam
Thank you so much Kelly!
Kimberly@The Little Girls Bakery
That key lime pie looks delicious! I made my dad a carrot cake yesterday and I know exactly what you mean about having “endless compulsions to tweak recipes”, but sometimes you just gotta stick with the classics :). And I love the wedding pic!
Sam
It’s just so hard to just follow a recipe ๐ Thank you Kimberly! ๐
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
Classic key lime pie is the best! Yours looks stunning!
Sam
Thank you Jen!! ๐
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
I love key lime pie. . one of my faves. . and this one looks amazing!!!! Your father sounds like a great man. . hope you guys celebrated in style yesterday! So great to meet you and your blog, Sam!
Sam
Thank you Alice! Thanks so much for stopping by! ๐
Mir
I love that wedding pic! You look so happy. And it’s a dad’s job to embarrass his little girl!
This pie is perfect, Sam! Always a huge fave of mine.
Sam
Haha he’s pretty good at that ;). Thank you Mir!!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext
Love key lime pie! This looks stunning, Sam!
Sam
Thank you Jess!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
This pie is all I ever need to eat ever!
Sam
Haha, thank you Jocelyn! ๐
Sarah | Broma Bakery
This looks wonderful Sam! And what a great picture of you and Dad. You look gorgeous!
Sam
Aw you’re gonna make my head big ๐ Thank you Sarah!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Key lime pie definitely screams summer to me, Sam! This looks absolutely gorgeous! What a refreshing and delicious dessert!
Sam
Thank you Gayle!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Sam, these photos are stunning! Love this pie and that pic of you and your dad is too cute ๐ Pinning!
Sam
๐ Thank you so much Medha!