This is the Mr.’s favorite dessert: key lime pie.
What does this key lime pie taste like?
It’s creamy, sweet and tart all in one bite. I like it topped with whipped cream. It’s so rich that the whipped cream helps lighten it up.
Do you have to bake key lime pie?
Not this version. This recipe does not call for eggs so there’s no need to bake anything but the crust. However, you can get away with not baking the crust if you don’t mind it being a little crumbly or you can use a ready-made graham cracker crust. When you bake the crust you’re essentially melting the sugar to make ti stick together. So you could actually just press it into a glass pie pan, and then microwave it for about a minute and it would work just fine and hold together nicely.
So skip the baking, and make this a no-bake key lime pie which is just perfect for summer.
Good news: classic key lime pie is really easy to make.
For such complex flavors, this pie is actually really easy to make homemade. You can buy a ready-made graham cracker crust, or if you have some graham crackers laying around, it’s not hard to make your own crust. The magic happens in the middle so the crust isn’t as important.
What I really enjoy about this and what I consider the “secret” ingredient is the sour cream. It really compliments and enhances the natural juices of the key limes.
Where can you find key limes?
Well, depending on the season and the store, you may be bale to pick up a bag of key limes and fresh squeeze them. However, almost all store, any time of the year, carry bottled key lime juice.
This Nellie & Joe’s brand of key lime juice is usually easy to come by and so is what I normally use.
Ever been to Key West?
Slightly off topic but I mean, we are talking about key lime pies here! Where do you think this pie came from? 😉 I’m lucky enough to say that I’ve been to Key West several times. It’s one of my favorite places I’ve even been.
What I love about it is the tropical vibes, of course, but it actually has a small town vibe. So like imagine a small country town but add palm trees and tourists. Does that even make sense? It will if you ever go to Key West.
So, yes I’ve had Key Lime Pie IN Key West so I can tell you this recipe is right on the money when it comes to that same classic, authentic key lime pie taste.
If you’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a slice of authentic key lime pie then this will take you back! Whether you’ve been there or not though — this recipe will have you feeling the tropical vibes with each silky smooth bite.
Want the full experience of Key West at home?
Then you might like my simple Mojito and frozen Piña Colada cocktail recipes.
Want more dessert ideas?
Easy Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
- ⅔ cups key lime juice
- ½ cup sour cream
- 20 oz sweetend condensed milk
- Zest of 3 large limes
- Pinch salt
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ stick butter melted
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- whipped cream topping
Instructions
- For the crust: using a food processor, blend graham crackers with butter and brown sugar then press crumbs into a glass pie pan. Bake for 5 minutes or microwave for 1 minute then let cool while you prepare the key lime filling.
- For the filling: beat together key lime juice, sour cream, sweetened condensed milk, lime zest and salt.
- Pour into crust, smooth out the top, and chill ideally for 2 hours or more.
- Top with whipped cream poufs along the outside edge of the pie or if you're taking the pie somewhere, leave the whipped cream on the side. Garnish with 1 circular lime slice in the center of the pie. You could also spread whipped cream or Cool Whip across to whole top of the pie. Up to you!