Easy Key Lime Pie with just six ingredients, the entire recipe is done and ready to cool in just 15 minutes. A perfect summer dessert!
Summer desserts like Easy Fruit Salad, Mixed Berry Pie and Easy Strawberry Shortcake are all fun fruit flavors you can enjoy but none will be ready as quickly as this pie!
KEY LIME PIE
Easy Key Lime Pie has been a dessert I’ve been making since I moved into my first apartment – mostly because it is so easy to make that it is pretty much fail-proof. I’ve made it so many times I actually don’t even reference the recipe anymore because I’ve made it so many times.
Lime Juice vs. Key Lime Juice
Most of the reason the recipe is so easy is the Key Lime Juice which comes from Key West, Florida. I remember the first time I was making it I went into Whole Foods and gathered about thirty key limes in a bag, weighed it and winced at the price I was about to spend.
Key Lime Pie is popular all summer long, during the holidays (especially Easter) and if you freeze wedges with a popsicle stick it can be a year round dessert your whole family will love.
Then I came across bottled Key Lime Juice which has enough in it for making the pie at least twice (and a bit left over for some great limeade) and almost every grocery store I’ve ever been to carries this key lime juice.
Regular limes are not a good substitute for key limes in this recipe so I do not recommend you using them. If fresh key limes are not available in your store take a leap of faith and buy the bottled juice I use. I’ve been using it for over 10 years and clients, family and friends have raved about this recipe being the best key lime pie recipe they’ve ever eaten.
You don’t even need an electric mixer to make the filling, just a whisk. The only thing you may need it for is if you have some heavy cream you’d like to turn into fresh whipped cream or if you’d like to turn the recipe into a Key Lime Meringue pie and you want to beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
If you do make a meringue topping, lightly smooth it in a mound over the top of your key lime filling and bake for 5 additional minutes.
The pie filling takes less than 3 minutes to make and with less than 10 minutes of cook time you will spend almost no time at all making this American comfort food dessert.
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Ways to enjoy Key Lime Pie:
- Make them into mini pies in muffin tins.
- Cut into wedges, add a popsicle stick and freeze. Best popsicle EVER.
- Dip the wedges in melted chocolate (go bittersweet!) and then freeze. Best popsicle EVER.
- Top with my homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream crumb topping (all natural)
- Add chopped strawberries to the top before baking.
- Make it in an 8×8 square pan and cut into Key Lime Bars
- The filling can also be turned into an ice cream if churned in an ice cream machine.
Key Lime Pie Troubleshooting:
- The most important thing to remember about it is that the pie should not brown.
- As soon as the time is up and you see the tiniest of bubbles you are done!
- Using a pre-made graham cracker crust will not hold up to slicing because it doesn’t contain enough melted butter, I highly recommend making your own Graham Cracker Crust.
- Hand squeezing key limes will take a very long time, I used bottled key lime juice and quality is unaffected in this recipe.
- Top with Easy Whipped Cream, Homemade Cool Whip or Vanilla Ice Cream.
- You need just under 3 14-ounce cans of sweetened condensed milk in the recipe. You can save leftovers for sweetening coffee or any other drinks you’d add simple syrup to.
- You can top the pie pan with lime wedges, lime slices or even lime zest before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs , (one packet from a box of 3 packets)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , (melted)
- 3 cups sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup key lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter well. Press mixture into an 8 inch pie plate.
- Bake for 7 minutes. While the crust is baking, make the filling.
- In a bowl, combine condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice and add to the crust.
- Put it back in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes until you start to see the smallest of bubbles forming.
- Do not let the pie brown.
- Cool before serving.
Nutrition
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Thank you Sabrina! This is the best pie, I’ve made it lots of times since I found your recipe. Everyone loves it. So easy to make too. Heavenly!!! <3
Hi! I have a question! In the narrative, i’m told i’ll need just under 3 14-oz cans of sweetened condensed milk. The recipe says 3 cups, which would be 24 ounces which is just under 2 cans. What am i missing?
Thank you
You aren’t missing anything. It was just a simple writing mistake. it is just under 2 cans.
Great recipe! I used pre made pie crust and buttered it before pre baking the crust. It hardens and serves as a perfect base for this perfect recipe! ??
Not nearly enough lime! Had to add another 1/4 cup to be just a little tart.
This key lime pie is phenomenal. Literally everybody who ate it could not get enough. My mom said it was literally the best she’s ever had. Make and enjoy this super easy and even more delicious pie!
I made it with a store-bought pie crust (not a fan of graham cracker crusts), and it turned-out perfect! I made the filling exactly as instructed, and baked as instructed until the bubbles just started to form. The consistency is perfect!
Nothing wrong with a store-bought crust. Makes it that much easier and faster to enjoy! 🙂 So glad you liked it!
How long should I bake it for in a 8by8 baking pan? It sounds very refreshing. Thank you for another great recipe.
It should bake for the same amount of time. It is very refreshing! Let me know how it turns out for you!
I waited until the little bubbles started to show as instructed which was a few minutes longer than expected, but I wasn’t using the graham cracker crust.
One of best pies we ever created.
So happy to hear that! Thanks!
Great pie and so easy to make. I love the simplicity of your recipes and have never been disappointed. Thank you for sharing your talent!
Thanks, Karen.
This is the exact pie that they serve at a restaurant in Key Largo and I accidentally found it! They are known for their world famous key lime pie. They used to ship it around the globe overnight on dry ice for like $100. I know because I used to work there. We would serve it frozen because it would be too soft refrigerated. This is the pie!! I moved back to central Florida over 4 years ago and I haven’t had an even close resemblance until now!! Soooooo glad I found this recipe!
Yay!! Enjoy!
15 minutes – golly! Can’t beat that, I’ll definitely have to try that next time I’m in a pinch and need dessert
Enjoy!
How many cans to make 3 cups of sweetened condensed milk?
You’ll need 24 ounces so it’ll depend on the size of can you buy. Hope this helps!
I did the same conversion calculation before I headed out to buy the sweetened condensed milk & ingredients. Since cans were sold in 14 oz, I bought 2, thinking that combined the 28 oz would be more than enough. Instead of measuring out 3 cups, I measured out the extra 4 oz from the 2nd can that I wouldn’t need, assuming it would leave behind 10 oz in the can. But after pouring out 4 oz, I was left with under half a can, so I poured the remaining milk into a measuring cup to double check & it didn’t even fill an 8 oz measuring cup…so very confused. Since measurements matter when baking. Read online that the milk ounces is by weight, not fluid oz. So wish this was clearer.
Scrambling to borrow a 3rd can now to be able to pour out 3 full cups, but seems like a lot of sweetness. Always as it goes for me when I think I can just whip up a 15 minute dessert!
The easiest and best key lime pie ever!
Thank you so much!
The sour cream in the pie gave it such a yummy flavor! Will be making again!
Thanks for dropping by to let me know! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made this for my husband, it’s his favorite! Everyone loved it!
Yay!! Thanks for the 5 stars.
I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make this pie! Perfect!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Sooo yummy, easy, and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Can’t wait to make this. Do you have any menu suggestions that would pair nicely with this dessert? I’m thinking of making shrimp and grits with either tasso ham or andouille sausage. I’m curious to get your thoughts! Thanks in advance.
I think sounds amazing! My recommendation would be a fish or seafood dish. Enjoy 🙂
This looks perfect. And I like the idea of making it in 15 minutes. Not sure if I can achieve that though! Still, I’ll try. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
You’ll do a great job! Enjoy!!
This pie looks so delicious and refreshing!
This reminds me of our favorite vacation treat – key lime pie on a stick from a street vendor at the beach. This recipe is so quick and easy that I could whip it up on a school night… and I just might! Thank you!
Yes! We have enjoyed it on a stick in Florida too. It was such a unique way to eat it that it stuck with me.
I love key lime pie and this version looks just perfect! I wish I could have a slice right about now!
I have been obsessed with key lime pie since I visited the Florida Keys a LONG time ago! 🙂 And yes- bottled key lime juice is key, lol.
Oh my gosh. YES! I love that you made a huge thick layer of filling. Too many key lime pies are skimpy when it comes to that!
Why hold back if you’re making key lime pie? You’re only hurting yourself!
What a great and simple recipe to have! Going to make this for a BBQ that my wife and I are attending later in the month! Should be a hit!
Thanks ?
I’ll keep you posted after the BBQ!
Phil ???
I would love that! Enjoy!
I love key lime pie. This one is sheer perfection. Great tips too. I have a sudden craving for key lime pie. In a big, bad way.
Thanks, Kim!
Wow, that is easy! I’ve never made Key Lime Pie, might be time to try it 🙂
I LOVE key lime pie….and just 6 ingredients and 15 min is perfect!!
I love Key Lime Pie! Your version looks perfect!
Sabrina, this looks absolutely amazing!! What a fantastic easy dessert & perfect for summer!!
Thanks, Kaitie!
wow….it looks simple to make! definitely will give a try. On my waiting list to make now! thx for sharing
so easy! I love the mini pie idea too!
lime pie looks delicious! I will try this soon 🙂