“Key” Lime Pie
When life gives you lemons, swap them for limes (my oh so favorite citrus) and make this pie. I know before I told you to make these cookies, which are great too. But if pie is more your thing, then this one’s for you.
And as if lime wasn’t a good enough reason to whip up this confection, there’s also its graham cracker crust. Don’t get me wrong, ever since I perfected the art of making homemade pie crusts, I can’t get enough of them. But sometimes (or most times for this chica), you want something that easy and simple. Just mix graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, press into a pie pan, bake for a few minutes and voila! – You have a graham cracker crust. No frills. Easy. And delicious.
Making the filling is just as easy. Beat the yolks with the zest, add the condensed milk and beat again then add the lime juice and voila! – You have your pie filling. Can’t find key limes to juice? No fret – just use regular limes like I did.
The third component of this pie is one you should NOT skip. And don’t even think of using the store-bought stuff. Take the extra, um, one minute to make fresh whipped cream at home.
Now the last part is the most difficult. This pie has to chill for a few hours in the fridge so that you have a nice slice to enjoy (as opposed to a goopy mess). I know that’s kinda mean but trust that it will be worth the wait.
"Key" Lime Pie
Ingredients:
1 cup plus 2 1/2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 tablespoons lime zest (about 2 limes)
3 egg yolks
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugarDirections:
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Pulse cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a food processor to combine. Press evenly into bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes, and let cool.
In a medium bowl, beat lime zest and egg yolks with a hand mixer until pale and thick for about 5 minutes. Add the condensed milk and beat until thick, for another 3-4 minutes. Add the lime juice and mix until smooth. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust and bake until the filling is just set in the middle (with a bit of jiggle) for 8-10 minutes. Let the pie cool.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the cream and confectioners' sugar with a hand mixer to stiff peaks. Spread the whipped cream over the top of the pie and chill for 2-3 hours before slicing and serving.
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Rosa — June 27, 2011 @ 1:37 am
I love lemons, but adore limes just as much! That pie must taste just heavenly.
Cheers,
Rosa
Prerna@IndianSimmer — June 27, 2011 @ 3:24 am
It wa snot before I came to the US that I learned that lime and lemons are two different things
really! In India we only get limes and if they get yellow then they become lemons.
I am a HUGE fan of anything citrus and key lime pie is definitely on top of my list!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes — June 27, 2011 @ 8:15 am
Looks like a fabulous key lime pie. One of my favorites too.
Joanne — June 27, 2011 @ 9:09 am
I am ALL about limes. And cookies. And pie. I’ll take all three.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic — June 27, 2011 @ 9:24 am
I was just telling my friends that I will attempt to bake a key lime pie this coming weekend! Thanks for the recipe!
CookiePie — June 27, 2011 @ 10:02 am
YUM – love pie, and Key lime is so perfect for summer!!!
Amy — June 27, 2011 @ 10:09 am
Pie is my holy grail…and printing!
Yvette — June 27, 2011 @ 10:54 am
I have to confess…I have NEVER made a key lime pie — and it’s my hubby’s favorite. This easy and beautiful recipe has definitely inspired me. My hubby will be so happy
Jackie — June 27, 2011 @ 11:00 am
I love key lime pie, but I’ve never made it.. I just plunked down $10.00 for an Edwards pie from Shop rite, lol..shame on me. I think you are giving me the push I need to make this pie..yum!
J
JulieD — June 27, 2011 @ 11:44 am
I have never made a key lime pie before…it really is comfort food. I need to check out if they are in season right now (key limes) and try this!
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets — June 27, 2011 @ 1:30 pm
Lovely — I love the tart lime flavor.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction — June 27, 2011 @ 4:01 pm
This looks amazing! Lime is my favorite, too… Can’t wait to make some pie!
Duchess — June 27, 2011 @ 4:25 pm
i LOVE key lime pie. Serious love affair with the stuff. I’m gonna try this one!
Rox — June 27, 2011 @ 4:39 pm
Beautiful. I love the simple presentation. This recipe is perfect for this hot summer too! Thanks for sharing.
Biz — June 27, 2011 @ 5:53 pm
Eliana – that looks amazing! I have a tart palate so I am sure I would love it – and I think its inslin worthy!!
Gretta — June 27, 2011 @ 7:09 pm
Thank you so much for this post! It looks awesome. I am obsessed with key lime pie and have actually hosted two key lime pie taste testing parties- you can find more info on my blog: http://grettabell.blogspot.com/2009/06/key-lime-pie-test-ii.html!
Lori — June 27, 2011 @ 8:31 pm
I was just thinking this weekend that I need to make a Key Lime Pie for my brother’s upcoming birthday. So glad you shared this! It looks so good. I could go for a piece right now.
Vanessa — June 27, 2011 @ 11:02 pm
Oh my God! That looks delicious! I gotta make that some time soon!
Gloria — June 28, 2011 @ 2:11 am
I have a huge bag of limes in my fridge and now I have something to do with them over the upcoming holiday weekend! I love graham cracker crust. Your pie is making my mouthwater.
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum — June 28, 2011 @ 7:38 am
Ahh yes. Love the limes. And love dessert. So naturally I love this pie.
Spike — June 28, 2011 @ 11:24 am
graham cracker crusts are the best!
Hannah@ Bake Five — June 29, 2011 @ 10:00 am
a hundred times YUM!
Baking is my Zen — June 29, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
Love lime in anything! I’m like you…can’t get enough of the citrus!
Carmen
Kim — June 29, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
YUM!!! Love key lime pie. This look perfect!
Bren — July 4, 2011 @ 1:31 am
oh my gosh! great minds think alike! I just made one, too! and i’m not even a fan. urs looooooks like I need to have a serious bite. or half.
The Duo Dishes — July 4, 2011 @ 11:28 pm
There must be something in the air because this is the 4th key lime pie out on the blogosphere this week (including Ms. Bren’s!). Citrus is taking over!
Leslie — July 6, 2011 @ 11:12 am
Superb receipe. It was a wonderful dessert on 7/4. The directions are exact…foolproof.
naomi — July 17, 2011 @ 12:43 am
This is absolutely one of my favorite pies and you did such a great job with it. Gorgeous photo!!!
apaler1 — July 18, 2011 @ 3:49 pm
Key Lime Pie is one of my favorites as well! This recipe is wonderful. Print.
Velva — March 14, 2012 @ 8:32 pm
Delicious! I agree with the fresh cream.
The Key lime pie uses the small key limes…can you find them in NY easily? I know in South Florida they are abundant.
Cheers.
Velva