Best Key Lime Pie Ever

This Best Key Lime Pie Ever is a delightful and refreshing dessert that captures the bright flavors of the tropics in a simple and straightforward recipe. With its creamy filling made from key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and sour cream, this pie strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet.

The use of graham cracker or pastry-style crust adds a delicious crunch that complements the smooth filling beautifully. Ideal for warm weather gatherings, barbecues, or as a sweet treat any time of year, this key lime pie requires minimal effort and time, making it a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced bakers.

Chill it for a few hours, garnish with whipped topping and a slice of lime, and you’ll have a stunning dessert that’s sure to impress everyone at the table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

This Best Key Lime Pie Ever is bound to be a favorite dessert for several compelling reasons, making it an ideal choice for any occasion. Here’s why people will love this recipe:

Refreshing Citrus Flavor

The bright and tangy taste of key lime juice gives this pie a refreshing and zesty flavor that is perfect for warm weather. The combination of the tartness from the limes and the sweetness from the condensed milk creates a delightful balance that is both invigorating and satisfying.

Simple and Quick to Make

With just a few ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe allows even novice bakers to create a delicious dessert without the hassle of complicated techniques. The minimal preparation time makes it a convenient option for last-minute gatherings or family dinners.

No-Bake Convenience

This recipe requires only a brief time in the oven (5 to 8 minutes) to set the filling, making it a great choice for those who want a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. After baking, chilling the pie enhances the flavors and allows the filling to firm up, resulting in a refreshing treat.

Beautiful Presentation

The creamy filling garnished with dollops of whipped topping and a slice of lime not only enhances the flavor but also creates an attractive presentation. This makes it an excellent dessert for parties, potlucks, or special occasions, impressing guests with its vibrant colors and inviting look.

Customizable Options

This key lime pie is versatile and can be easily customized to suit individual tastes. You can add extra lime zest for more zing, incorporate a hint of coconut for a tropical flair, or even experiment with different crusts, such as a chocolate graham cracker crust, to change up the flavor profile.

Key Ingredients:

Key Lime Juice: The primary flavor component, key lime juice provides the tartness that defines this pie and gives it its refreshing character.

Sweetened Condensed Milk: This ingredient adds sweetness and creaminess to the filling, balancing the tartness of the key lime juice and creating a smooth texture.

Sour Cream: Contributes to the creamy consistency of the filling while adding a slight tang that enhances the overall flavor profile of the pie.

Grated Lime Zest: Adds an extra burst of citrus flavor and aroma, enhancing the key lime taste and making it more vibrant.

Pie Crust: You can use either a graham cracker crust or a pastry-style crust, providing a delicious base that complements the creamy filling.

Whipped Topping: Used for garnish, it adds a light, airy texture and sweetness, making the pie visually appealing and enhancing the overall flavor experience.

Best Key Lime Pie Ever

Ingredients

9 inch pie crust, pastry style or graham cracker

1 tbsp grated lime zest

3 cups Sweetened condensed milk

½ cup sour cream

¾ cup Key Lime juice

Instructions

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 350*

In a large bowl, mix the lime juice, lime zest, sweetened condensed milk and the sour cream

Step 2:

Pour this mixture into the prepared pie crust

Place in a preheated oven for 5 to 8 minutes.

The pie is done when tiny bubbles begin to pop on the surface. Do not leave it in the oven longer.

Step 3:

Chill the pie for at least three hours in the refrigerator.

Garnish with dollops of whipped topping with a slice of lime in each dollop.

Enjoy!

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Notes:

Simple Preparation: This recipe offers a straightforward method for making Key Lime Pie, making it accessible even for novice bakers.

Versatile Crust Options: The recipe provides flexibility by allowing the use of either a pastry-style or graham cracker crust, catering to personal preferences and dietary restrictions.

Bright and Tangy Flavor: The combination of fresh lime zest and juice, along with sweetened condensed milk and sour cream, creates a vibrant and tangy filling that is characteristic of Key Lime Pie.

Quick Baking Time: With a baking time of just 5 to 8 minutes, the pie can be prepared and baked relatively quickly, perfect for those craving a delicious dessert without a lengthy baking process.

Chilling Step: Chilling the pie for at least three hours in the refrigerator allows it to set properly and enhances the flavors, ensuring a refreshing and creamy texture.

Adaptability: The recipe accommodates substitutions, such as using bottled lime juice instead of fresh Key Lime juice, providing flexibility based on ingredient availability.

Make-Ahead Option: The pie can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, allowing for convenient preparation for gatherings or special occasions.

No-Bake Alternative: While the traditional recipe involves baking, the FAQs offer suggestions for creating a no-bake version using a premade graham cracker crust, catering to individuals without access to an oven or preferring a no-bake option.

Nutrition Information:

SERVING SIZE: 1

Amount Per Serving:

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh Key Lime juice?

Yes, you can use bottled lime juice if you can’t find or prefer not to use fresh Key Lime juice. However, using fresh juice will give your pie a more vibrant and authentic flavor.

What is the difference between Key Lime juice and regular lime juice?

Key Lime juice comes from Key limes, which are smaller and have a slightly different flavor compared to regular Persian limes.

Key Lime juice tends to be more tart and aromatic, which is why it’s commonly used in Key Lime pie recipes.

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

Absolutely! You can use either a pastry-style pie crust or a graham cracker crust, as the recipe suggests.

Store-bought crusts are convenient and work well for this recipe.

How can I tell when the pie is done baking?

The pie is done when tiny bubbles begin to pop on the surface, usually after 5 to 8 minutes in the oven.

It’s important not to leave it in the oven longer to prevent overcooking, as Key Lime pies are not typically baked for an extended period.

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes, this pie is great for making ahead of time.

After chilling the pie for at least three hours in the refrigerator, you can keep it covered in the fridge for a day or two before serving.

The chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the pie to set properly.

Can I use regular limes instead of Key Limes for the juice and zest?

Yes, you can use regular limes if Key Limes are not available. The flavor will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious.

Can I use a store-bought graham cracker crust for this recipe?

Absolutely! You can use a store-bought graham cracker crust to save time. Just make sure it’s the appropriate size for a 9-inch pie.

Is there a substitute for sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is a key ingredient in this recipe, providing both sweetness and creaminess.

There isn’t a direct substitute that would yield the same result, so it’s best to use it as listed.

How do I prevent the pie crust from getting soggy after baking?

Prebaking the pie crust for a few minutes before adding the filling helps create a barrier between the crust and the filling, reducing the chance of it becoming soggy.

Can I make this pie without an oven?

While the traditional recipe involves baking the pie briefly, you could try making a no-bake version by using a premade graham cracker crust and mixing the filling ingredients without baking.

However, the texture and flavor may be slightly different from the baked version.