Fresh and bright, Key lime pie is a much-loved dessert any time of the year.
Here, learn how to make key lime pie step by step.
Plus, find out where this favorite citrus pie really originated.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Ingredients
1(14-oz.)
Whisk together condensed milk and next 3 ingredients until well blended.
Pour mixture into piecrust.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Bake pie, then chill:
Bake at 350F for 15 minutes or until pie is set.
Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour).
Chill 1 hour before serving.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Top pie with whipped cream.
Garnish, if desired.
Where Did Key Lime Pie Originate?
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
You’re thinking Florida, right?
There’s hardly a restaurant menu in the Sunshine State without this dessert.
Turns out, the origins of the Key lime pie are a little murky.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Then, savvy Florida bakers swapped lemons for local Key limes, and Florida’s favorite pie was born.
Key Lime Pie Ingredients
This Key lime pie really is simple.
We’ve kept the ingredient list short and sweet so it’s ultimately an easy key lime pie.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Cover the pie plate in plastic wrap, and keep it in the fridge up to three days.
Can You Freeze Key Lime Pie?
Yes, you could freeze Key lime pie.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
And don’t add the whipped cream.
It won’t make it through the freeze and thaw cycles.
Once baked, let the freezer-bound pie cool completely.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Wrap the entire pan in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil.
Label the pie with the food’s name and the date you’re putting it in the freezer.
It can stay in the freezer up to three months.
Make the whipped cream topping just before serving.
Test Kitchen Tips
*Regular lime zest and slices may be substituted.
Chef’s Note:We tested with Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice.
However, Persian limes are more tart and lack the floral aroma of Key limes.
They’ll still make a perfectly delicious lime pie.
It just might be a bit different than what you’re expecting.
Key limes are tiny, about half the size of Persian limes.
It takes a baker a lot of work to get enough juice for a Key lime pie.
Key limes only grow in subtropical environments like Southeast Asiaand the Florida Keys!
The filling is added to a graham cracker crust, then baked.
Once cooled, it’s topped with whipped cream and served.
