How to Make the Perfect Easy Key Lime Pie
American · Easy · 30 min · 8 servings
This easy key lime pie is tangy creamy and perfectly sweet making it one of the most refreshing kid friendly recipes for warm weather. Kids adore the bright green color and the fun crumbly graham cracker crust they can help press into the pan.
Why this recipe works
This Easy Key Lime Pie recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 380 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 0.33 cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 cans sweetened condensed milk
- 0.75 cup key lime juice fresh or bottled
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 cup whipped cream for topping
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Graham Crust
Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and mix until the texture resembles wet sand. Press mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes until set and lightly golden.
Step 2: Make the Lime Filling
Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and egg yolks in a bowl until completely smooth and slightly thickened. The acid in the lime juice begins to thicken the filling even before baking which is culinary magic kids love to see.
Step 3: Bake and Chill
Pour lime filling into the warm crust and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle. Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Step 4: Top and Serve
Slice the chilled pie and top each piece with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a thin slice of lime for garnish. The cold creamy tangy slices are an instant hit with kids especially on hot summer days.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- key lime juice → regular Persian lime juice as an easy substitute
- graham cracker crumbs → crushed vanilla wafers for a sweeter crust
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overbaking the filling which causes it to crack and lose its creamy smooth texture
- Not chilling the pie long enough resulting in a filling that is too soft to slice cleanly
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 380 calories, 6g protein, 44g carbs, 20g fat, 1g fiber.
Ready to cook?
Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.
View full recipe →