Classic Key Lime Pie

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.
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Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

This all-American Classic Key Lime Pie may be one of the easiest pies that you have ever made.

It certainly will be one of the most delicious. The filling is creamy and smooth, with the bright, zesty flavour of lime which is balanced by the sweetened condensed milk. And then the irresistible creaminess of the filling is offset by the crisp, buttery, biscuit-crumb crust.

To begin with, although Key limes are, of course, recommended, it may not be possible to find them. I have used the Tahitian lime, also known as Persian lime.

My green-grocer tells me that the Tahitian lime is the variety most commonly found in grocery stores. The Tahitian lime tree is free of thorns, the fruit it produces is thicker-skinned and larger than the Key lime.  These qualities, and the fact that it keeps longer make it a more viable commercial crop.

On the other hand, Key limes are much smaller than Tahitian limes, are thin-skinned, have very thorny branches and often contain some seeds. As Key limes are more acidic than Tahitian limes, I have added some lemon juice to this recipe to add acidity.

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

Why you’ll love this Classic Key Lime Pie:

I love how simple and easy this pie is to make. For a start, it does not have a pastry base so there’s no making dough and rolling out a crust. Further, there’s no lengthy list of hard to find ingredients. Just six every-day ingredients are needed to make this American classic dessert.

I am certain that this American classic, which is the perfect combination of zesty and refreshing yet fabulously creamy and smooth, will become a family favourite. Before you attend your next family celebration or large gathering, you can quickly and easily make this Classic Key Lime Pie. Further, it makes a fabulous Christmas dessert. Moreover, it is portable and would be a welcome addition to a pot-luck party.

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

I use these ingredients to make the Classic Key Lime Pie:

Granita biscuits:

I like the flavour provided by these crumbly, golden wheat biscuits. However, you could also use Graham crackers or a digestive biscuit.  Also, to make a gluten-free dessert, you can use a gluten-free biscuit for the crust.

Butter:

I melt the butter and add it to the biscuit crumbs to make the base for the pie.

Egg yolks:

I have used just the egg yolks here. The fat in the egg yolks adds a pleasant smoothness to the filling. They also add richness and creaminess and help to set the pie. I have saved the egg whites to use in another recipe.

Fresh limes:

I use freshly squeezed lime juice which adds a fresh, zesty, vibrant flavour to the pie. I would strongly encourage you to not use bottled lime juice; it lacks the bright, zesty flavour of fresh lime juice and often contains a preservative.

Condensed milk:

I think that most of us are familiar with this fabulous ingredient which adds richness and sweetness to many recipes. It is, essentially, cows’ milk with added sugar and about 60 per cent of the water content removed. It is rich and thick, with a golden-yellow colour and a luscious, sweet flavour.

Heavy cream:

Heavy cream, which is also known as thickened cream or whipping cream, has a fat content of about 35%. These are suitable creams to whip. I add some whipped cream to the top of the finished pie. This is optional but I think it is an important step to add a finishing touch. 

What is the difference between a Tahitian lime and a Key lime?

The differences between the two types of lime are subtle. The Tahitian lime, also known as the Persian lime, is the variety most commonly found at the greengrocer or supermarket. The fruit is larger and thicker-skinned than the Key lime and it keeps longer which makes it more commercially viable.

On the other hand, the fruit of the Key lime, also known as the West Indian lime, is smaller than the Tahitian lime and contains more seeds. Whilst they are similar in taste, the Key lime is slightly more acidic with a complex aroma and more intense flavour.

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

This is how I make the Classic Key Lime Pie:

To begin, I make a simple, crisp, buttery, biscuit-crumb base. I whiz some biscuits in a food processor until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. To the biscuit crumbs, I add some melted butter and whiz them together until they are well combined. I turn this mixture into a pie pan and then, using the back of a spoon or a flat-bottomed glass, I press the mixture onto the base and up the sides of the pan. I bake the crust for about 10 minutes to make it crisp.

Whilst the base is cooling, I prepare the filling. In a medium-size bowl, I add egg yolks and condensed milk and whisk to combine them. Then, I add lime and lemon juice and whisk again. It is so simple and easy; the filling comes together in no time.

Once the base is cool, I carefully add the filling and bake the pie for about 15 minutes or until the centre is just set. As tempting as it may be to eat straight away, you must set the pie aside to cool and then place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. Finally, I top the pie with whipped cream and it is ready to serve and enjoy.

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

Further ways to use these ingredients:

I have used a biscuit-crumb base in my delicious:

Fresh lime juice can be used in:

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

For leftover egg whites:

Leftover egg whites can be frozen for future use. Add the whites to containers which are suitable for the freezer. Seal the container and then label with the date, the number of egg whites and then freeze. Or, individual egg whites can be frozen in an ice cube tray. When frozen, they can be transferred to a container or zip-lock bag.

Alternatively, use them to make the following recipes:

When it comes to serving:

After chilling the pie, I top it with some whipped cream, either spreading it across the top of the pie or piping some rosettes around the edge. I like to add some thinly sliced lime and lime zest to emphasise that it is a lime pie.

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

You can bake the pie a day ahead. However, it is best to add the whipped cream shortly before serving. Store the leftovers, if you have any, in the refrigerator.   

This is a versatile pie. It is so easy to make that it is suitable for weeknight family dinners. On the other hand, it is also an elegant dish which is ideal for special occasions. Also, it is portable, ideal to take to celebrations with family or friends.

Please let me know in the comments below if you make the pie.
Alex xx

Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.
Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.
5 from 29 votes
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Classic Key Lime Pie

One of my favourite desserts is Key Lime Pie. There is a reason that this beloved American classic is so popular. There is nothing quite like a slice of this luscious dessert; the filling is tart and not too sweet with an irresistible creaminess which is offset by the crisp, biscuit crumb crust. This pie will become a family favourite and you will love that it is so easy to make.

Course Dessert, Sweet
Cuisine American
Keyword citrus, delicious, easy, key lime, lime, pie, simple, sweet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cooling 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 8 people
Calories 447 kcal
Author Alexandra

Ingredients

Pie Crust:

  • 250 g plain sweet biscuits See Note 1
  • 80 g melted butter

Pie Filling:

  • 395 g sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 large egg yolks See Note 2
  • 1/2 cup lime juice, strained See Note 3
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, strained

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional) See Note 4
  • 1 tsp icing/confectioners' sugar
  • fresh lime slices – to garnish

Instructions

Pie Crust:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 Degrees C (350F).


    Place the biscuits in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they resemble fine breadcrumbs.

    Add the melted butter to the biscuit crumbs and process until well combined.

    Bowl of biscuit crumbs, combined with melted butter.

  2. You will need a 9” / 23 cm pie plate.

    Tip the biscuit and butter mixture into the pie plate. Using the back of a dessert spoon, or the base of a flat-bottomed glass, press the mixture over the base and up the side of the pie plate.

  3. Place the pie crust into the pre-heated oven and bake until golden, about 8-10 minutes.

    Remove the crust from the oven and set aside to cool completely. This will take about 15 minutes.

Pie filling:

  1. Whisk the condensed milk and the egg yolks together in a large bowl.


    Add the lime and lemon juice and continue to whisk until they are well combined.

  2. Carefully pour the filling into the pie crust and bake until the centre of the pie and bake for 15 minutes, or until the pie is just set.

    Pie filling in pie case (prior to being baked).

  3. Set the pie aside and allow it to cool completely. This will take about 1 hour.

    Cover the pie with cling wrap and place it in the refrigerator until cold; for at least one hour

    Cooked pie, fresh from the oven, on a cooling rack.

For the topping:

  1. Whisk the cream and icing/confectioners’ sugar until it forms soft peaks. Do not over-whip the cream. Top the pie with the whipped cream or place it into a piping bag and pipe some rosettes around the edge of the pie. Decorate with lime slices or zest.

    Classic Key Lime Pie. A recipe by It's Not Complicated Recipes.

Recipe Notes

  1. As alternatives, you could use Graham Crackers or gluten-free biscuits.
  2. In the main text I have suggestions for ways to use the leftover egg whites.
  3. I only use freshly squeezed lime juice as the flavour is brighter and fresher. Bottled lime juice lacks the bright, zesty flavour of fresh lime juice. Furthermore, the bottled variety often contains a preservative.
  4. In Australia, heavy cream, which is also known as thickened cream or whipping cream, has 35% milk fat.
  5. In Australia the tablespoon is 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. This means you may have to adjust your measurement. In essence, my measure for lemon juice is 6 teaspoons.
Nutrition Facts
Classic Key Lime Pie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 447 Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 151mg50%
Sodium 293mg13%
Potassium 263mg8%
Carbohydrates 53g18%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 37g41%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 731IU15%
Vitamin C 7mg8%
Calcium 173mg17%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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128 Comments on “Classic Key Lime Pie”

  1. Reply

    5 stars
    What a delicious looking pie! Citrus tarts are my all time favourite and your looks just WAY too appetising!! Love the crunch of the base with the tanginess of the filling – such a perfect dessert!

  2. Reply

    5 stars
    It is one of my favorite pies! So creamy, so sweet. And that crust… oh my! I can’t way to be dissolved in the deliciousness of this recipe!

  5. Reply

    5 stars
    Key limes can indeed be a challenge to find. However, I’ve noticed that a lot of stores here in the States sell bottles of key lime juice. (Some stores put it in the ‘cocktail mixers’ section, though.) Just a thought! Either way, I absolutely love a good key lime pie, and this one looks delicious! Two thumbs up, Alex!

  10. Reply

    5 stars
    This recipe is so well explained, I feel like anyone could do it- including me! Your photos are exceptional and now i’m going to the store to get everything to make this!

  21. Reply

    This is so visually appealing and I’m trying it for my house party tonight. Hope it turns out as well as your pie did. Thanks !

  22. Reply

    5 stars
    I do love key lime pies, they are so refreshing, especially in summer. I don’t like very sweet desserts in the hot summer. I didn’t know this recipe was so easy to make.

  28. Reply

    Oh my goodness, this looks like such a delicious recipe! With so many autumn parties coming up in the near future, this would be a great thing to make when either hosting your own, or being invited to someone else’s!

  37. Reply

    I like how you balanced the smooth texture with rough edges.. lime? yes. pie? not so much.. lime pie? May be. Send some over so I can taste it lol

  40. Reply

    5 stars
    Wow, never have tried making one. I think I’m going to make this recipe over the weekend. I love trying new recipes. Thanks for sharing.

  43. Reply

    5 stars
    I remember playing Farmville 2 cuz of this key lime pie. It looks so cute just like the one it the app. Love it.

  45. Reply

    I can tell immediately that I’m gonna love it. I think the flavors are so good. Lime is my all time favorite and so will be this dish.

  49. Reply

    I am 49 years old and just tasted Key Lime Pie for the first time a few years back. Boy, I didn’t know what I was missing! It is really delicious.

  50. Reply

    OH MY GOSH! You outdid yourself! This made me want to cook again haha I do meal preps, not baking lately…my . nephews will love it!

  52. Reply

    oh yum, I love key lime pie! I’ve not been brave enough to make my own but I’ll give this one a go!

  60. Reply

    5 stars
    Biscuits in a pie? I want that! I love pies and I must agree that your recipe sounds like it would indeed be easy to make. Oh that crust…and your setup of that pie makes me salivate! So yummy!

    1. Reply

      Thank you, Dalene. A biscuit crust is much quicker and easier to make than pastry so you can get this pie ready very quickly. It is delicious. 🙂

  62. Reply

    5 stars
    The ingredients are so simple and seems easy to make, thanks for sharing this recipe. I will definitely try this sometime.

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