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This Key Lime Pie has that signature creamy texture and classic sweet-tart flavor everyone loves. Ever since I brought this recipe home from Savannah, it has been the pie my family requests again and again.
Why this Savannah Recipe Works Every Time
I found this recipe in Savannah on a trip with my friend Amie, and I’ve been making it at home for years. It has become a tradition to have it for Thanksgiving and Easter. I’ve learned that these simple details are what make it work every time:
- Whipping the egg yolks before adding the other ingredients ensures a light, creamy filling.
- The sweet and tart ratio between the sweetened condensed milk and key lime juice is spot on.
- A short bake time keeps the filling smooth without drying it out or causing cracks.
- Chilling the pie for a minimum of 3 hours is ideal for the flavors to blend and easy slicing.
🩷 Erica
Key Lime Pie Ingredients
- Sweetened condensed milk gives the filling its silky texture and balances the tartness of the key lime juice.
- Egg yolks help the filling bake up smooth and creamy so it holds its shape once it’s chilled. Save the egg whites for a meringue topping or another recipe.
- Key lime juice is what really shines in this recipe. Fresh, ripe key limes are best, but sometimes hard to find. I’ve found Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice is a great substitute if I can’t find key limes. I often use it as an addition to the key lime juice I can squeeze out of the key limes, since they are pretty small and sometimes not juicy enough.
- A graham cracker crust adds buttery crunch and holds the creamy filling well. I sometimes make the crust using Biscoff cookies instead of graham crackers. I love the flavor and extra crunch it gives. If you’re short on time, a store-bought graham cracker crust works well.
- Optional topping ideas: I like to decorate the top of my pie with homemade whipped cream and key lime slices. You can also use the separated egg whites to make a meringue topping like in this Lemon Meringue Pie.
How to Make Key Lime Pie
- Prepare the crust: Combine crust ingredients and press them evenly into a pie plate. Use a measuring cup to press the crumbs down firmly. Bake at 375 for 5 minutes and cool.
- Zest and juice key limes: Zest key limes to get 2 teaspoons, the juice key limes to fill a ½ cup measuring cup. If you can’t get a full ½ cup, use Key West Lime Juice to fill the remaining ½ cup.
- Prepare pie filling: Whisk or blend egg yolks until they are thick and turn a light yellow color. Slowly pour in the sweetened condensed milk into the yolks while continuing to mix.
- Gradually add the key lime juice and zest. Blend well.
- Fill the crust: Pour the filling into the prepared graham cracker crust.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature then chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
- Garnish: Decorate with whipped cream and key lime slices (optional).
- Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
If your filling seems too soft, it likely needs more chill time. I’ve found that at least 3 hours in the refrigerator is the sweet spot, though overnight is even better. Make sure the filling bakes until it is set with only the slightest jiggle in the center, if at all.
If key limes aren’t available, Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice is the next best option. Regular limes can be used as a last resort, it does change the taste. However, many of our readers have commented that they’ve used limes and the pie turns out great.
You can do either. Chilling the crust for an hour will set it, but baking it gives it a slightly toasted, firmer texture.
The baking time of 15 minutes is pretty accurate, but elevation and ovens do vary. The filling should look set and only slightly jiggly in the very center of the pie. The top of the pie should not be browned at all.
Yes, this is a great make ahead dessert. You can prepare the pie a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. It actually tastes best after chilling for several hours.
You can. Bake and cool the pie completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving. Wait to add whipped topping until after the pie has thawed and you are ready to serve.
More Delicious Pie Recipes
If you love tangy citrus-infused desserts like this one, be sure to try our Italian Lemon Cookies, Cream Cheese Lemon Bars, Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars, or our super easy Orange Pineapple Cake! Here are some more of our favorites:
5-Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This has got to be the best key lime pie I have ever made. The recipe was so easy to make. My husband requests this pie at least once a month. It has become our all time favorite.” – Reba
“Made key lime pie for the first time using this recipe and it is a success. The recipe is simple, but the flavor of the pie is so good. I used fresh juice and didn’t use premade juice – maybe that also makes a difference. This recipe is a keeper!” – Joy
“So easy to make. Directions are clear and simple to read. A real down home and delicious pie.” – Melanie
“Absolutely perfect. I have tried many that did not set up or were too sweet. This is as good as the restaurant with the best key lime pie where I live. Thanks for sharing.” – Lorelei
We’d love to hear what you think! Did you try this Key Lime Pie Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below and let us know how it turned out for you. If you made any tweaks or served it in a fun way, we’d love to hear about it! 🍋🟩
Key Lime Pie
Video
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
For the filling:
- 4 egg yolks
- 6 key limes, for zesting and juicing
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice, (if needed)
- whipped topping to garnish, (optional)
Instructions
For the crust:
- Combine melted butter and sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in crushed graham crackers.
- Spread evenly into 9-inch pie plate and press onto bottom and sides to form an even crust. The bottom of a measuring cup works great for pressing the crumbs firmly into the pie plate.Chill for an hour until firm OR bake at 375-degrees for 5 min and allow to cool before filling.
For the filling:
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Zest key limes until there are 2 teaspoons of zest, then juice them. Pour the fresh key lime juice into a ½ cup measuring cup.If the ½ cup isn't filled, add bottled key lime juice to fill it completely.
- Whisk the egg yolks until they are thick and turn to a light yellow. Use a stand mixer or an electric mixer. Slowly add sweetened condensed milk while mixing on a low speed.
- Gradually add the key lime juice and zest and continue to mix on a low speed just until blended.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pie shell and bake 15 minutes.
- Remove and let it cool to room temperate then store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Serve with a garnish of whipped topping lime slices and little lime zest, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Loved this.It was so easy to make. I took it into work and it was eaten before lunch even started. Several people wanted the recipe.
This recipe is delicious – finding a good key lime pie recipe is not easy, and this one has done it! Your step by step outline and options for substitutions make it easy to prepare a dessert that is a family favourite! Thank you!
Thanks so much! I am glad you found a keeper with our recipe 😀
Delicious! A special favorite. Love the recipe and easy step-by-step instructions.
This is a great key lime pie recipe. With a pre-made crust, it is so simple.
I have to admit I have never made a key lime pie and this recipe looks delicious. I might make one this year as it is one of my favorites.
One of the best tasting pies!! My husband absolutely loves it! And so do I! Thank you so very much for sharing all these delicious recipes!
This recipe is a winner! I lived in Florida for many years and this comes very close to the Key West key lime pies! The recipe is easy to follow, it is not too tart and not too sweet, creamy perfection. My absolute favorite, make it if you love key lime pie, you won’t be disappointed!
I had never made a key lime pie, so I was a little afraid I would do something wrong it wouldn’t turn out right. But I followed the easy-to-understand directions step by step and it turned out perfect! Such a great lime flavor that wasn’t overpowering. I will be making this again! Thank you for making all your recipes so easy to follow and understand. The pics are great too!
I am so happy to hear this was a hit for you! I am do glad that it was easy to make and came out a success!
THIS KEY LIME PIE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITS. IT REMINDS ME OF WHEN MY FATHER USE TO TAKE THE FAMILY TO FLORIDA BY CAR FROM BROOKLYN NY TO MIAMI. WHAT AN EXCITING ADVENTURE. WE WOULD ALWAYS STOP AT ONE OF MY FATHERS FAVORITE
PLACES TO HAVE A PIECE OF KEY LIME PIE
So happy to hear this recipe brings back wonderful memories for you! This is exactly why we do what we do 🙂 Thanks for the nice comment!
Key Lime is one of my all time favorites. I plan to make this recipe on Easter. my family will love this.
We love this key lime pie. It is easy to make and has great flavor. The eggs give it the stability to hold together. So tasty!
Can’t wait to try this recipe. I love key-lime pie. Will try this REAL soon.J@
This will be an exciting addition to my “Springtime” luncheon.
A favorite of mine! I love the balance of the sweet and the tart lime!! A delicious Spring and Easter dessert!
Lisa
What’s not to love about a dessert that’s great tasting and eas y as pie to make
This pie is delicious year round! Its so delicious and it reminds me of a beautiful Spring Sunday after church with family and friends!
A good Easter dessert!
There is nothing quite like a great Key Lime Pie and they should never be green! Also great with a meringue on top!
So refreshing, haven’t been able to find the juice but when the grocery store gets key limes in this is a family favorite.
Easy and so yummy 😋