This Florida Key Lime Pie Recipe with Graham Cracker Crust is creamy, tangy, smooth, and packed with fresh citrus flavor. The filling is perfectly balanced between sweet and tart with the most delicious buttery graham cracker crust. If you’re looking for an easy homemade Key Lime Pie Recipe that tastes like it came straight from the Florida Keys, this is a must-try dessert recipe!
Living in Florida, key lime pie is one of those classic desserts we’ve always loved, and it also happens to be my dad’s favorite dessert of all time. I’ve made many versions over the years, but this one is officially the best yet!
Why You’ll Love This Florida Key Lime Pie Recipe
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfectly creamy and tangy filling
- Buttery homemade graham cracker crust
- A classic Florida dessert recipe
- Great for spring and summer gatherings
- Tastes even better chilled overnight
What Makes Florida Key Lime Pie Different?
Authentic Florida Key Lime Pie is known for its smooth, creamy texture and bright citrus flavor. Traditional key lime pie is actually pale yellow instead of green because it’s made with egg yolks and real key lime juice rather than artificial coloring. The combination of sweetened condensed milk and tart lime juice creates the iconic creamy filling everyone loves.
Ingredients for Florida Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie Filling
- 5 egg yolks
- ½ cup Florida key lime juice, freshly squeezed or store-bought
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- 8 graham crackers, crushed
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Dash of cinnamon (optional)
How to Make Florida Key Lime Pie
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Make the Graham Cracker Crust
In a separate bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, brown sugar, cane sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using). Press the mixture firmly into a pie dish, making sure to press some of the crust up the sides.
Step 3: Bake the Pie
Pour the key lime pie filling into the graham cracker crust. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are set.
Step 4: Chill Before Serving
Allow the pie to cool at room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill completely before slicing and serving. For best results, chill for several hours or overnight.
Tips for the Best Key Lime Pie
- Fresh key lime juice gives the best flavor, but bottled key lime juice works well too.
- Chill the pie thoroughly before serving for the perfect texture.
- Use full-fat sweetened condensed milk for the creamiest filling.
- Add fresh whipped cream and lime zest on top before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! While authentic Florida Key Lime Pie uses key limes, regular limes/lime juice can work in a pinch.
Real key lime pie is pale/yellow because it’s made with egg yolks and condensed milk. If you see a green key lime pie at the store it is because it usually contains food coloring or artificial flavoring.
Store leftover key lime pie covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes! You can freeze key lime pie tightly covered for up to 2 months. Allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes from Jill
This recipe feels especially nostalgic to me because key lime pie has always been my dad’s favorite dessert. Living in Florida, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to try amazing key lime pie over the years, and after making this recipe many times, I can confidently say this version is our favorite yet. The creamy filling paired with the buttery graham cracker crust is absolutely irresistible! Even my husband loves it which is why this recipe is also being included in Paul's Corner.
Florida Key Lime Pie Recipe with Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
Florida Key Lime Pie Filling
- 5 egg yolks
- ½ cup Florida key lime juice freshly squeezed or store-bought
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Key Lime Pie Crust
- 8 graham crackers crushed
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- a pinch of salt
- a dash of cinnamon optional
Instructions
How To Make Florida Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, mix the crushed graham crackers, melted butter, brown sugar, cane sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using). Press the mixture firmly into a pie dish, making sure to press some of the crust up the sides.
- Pour the key lime pie filling into the crust and bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are set. Allow the pie to cool at room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill completely before serving.
- Serve topped with homemade or store-bought whipped cream.
Comments
No Comments