Easy Key Lime Pie: Just 3 Easy Steps

Making key lime pie can be a highly involved process or an incredibly simple one. Do the pies come out the same? Make an easy key lime pie with this recipe!

Is there anything more delicious or refreshing than a crisp piece of key lime pie on a hot summer day?

Legend has it that key lime pie was invented back in the 1890s by a woman known as "Aunt Sally." The pie is most popular in the Florida Keys, where it was allegedly created. In fact, the key lime pie is Florida's official dessert.

Are you wondering how to make a key lime pie? The good news is, it's not hard. Let's review our three-step easy key lime pie recipe.

Easy Key Lime Pie Ingredients

This easy key lime pie requires only a few ingredients. To create the key lime filling, you will need:

• 5 egg yolks
• 1 can of unsweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
• 1/2 cup key lime juice (preferably from fresh key limes)
• Whipped topping (optional)
• Key lime slices (optional, for garnish)
• 9-inch baking pie dish

The star of this is dish is are the key limes. Florida key limes are harvested from June through September. However, wholesale producers can grow the fruit all year long.

Once you have your ingredients, preheat your oven to 350° F.

Step #1: Create the Crust

You will need a crust for your masterpiece. Traditional key lime pie is made with a graham cracker crust. 

To create your key lime pie crust, you will need:

• 1/3 of a box of graham crackers
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 5 tablespoons melted butter (unsalted)

Crush the graham crackers into tiny pieces. You can smash them using a rolling pin or a food processor.

Once the graham crackers are mashed, transfer them to a bowl. Mix in the melted butter and sugar. The mixture should be thick and sticky.

Spray the bottom of your 9-inch pie dish with cooking oil. Press the butter-sugar-graham cracker mixture into the pie dish to create a thin crust. 

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to create a mouthwatering key lime pie, skip this step and grab a pre-made 9-inch graham cracker crust from the supermarket. It will be your little secret that no one has to know.

Step #2: Make the Filling

Now, let's move onto the filling (aka the best part of a baked key lime pie). 

In a small mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks until they are fluffy. Add the sweetened condensed milk and key lime juice. Mix until the ingredients are well-blended. 

Pour the mixture over your unbaked graham cracker crust. Place in the oven for eight to 15 minutes. Let the pie cool for 30 minutes.

Step #3: Top It Off

Once the key lime pie has cooled down, you can add a whipped topping and key lime slices.

The topping is entirely up to you. If you want to focus on the flavor of the key limes, omit the topping and enjoy the pie as-is.

But if you're looking for an added layer of sugary goodness, add a dollop of store-bought whipping cream on top of the key lime filling.

If you're feeling up to it, create your own whipped cream. All you need is sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Mix the ingredients in a cold bowl until fluffy and add it to your pie.

Make Key Lime Pie All the Time

Now that you know how to make an easy key lime pie, it's time to get cooking! Got some Persian limes handy? Here's how to make a key lime pie with Persian limes.

Try our seasonal citrus box while its available...the Craft Citrus Club!

Our Rio box is a 15-lb curated box of our fresh-harvested citrus from South Texas. The fruit is NOT gassed, rather it is tree-ripened. Our season runs from Nov-May for  oranges, grapefruit and mandarins.

Our Grande box is a 30-lb box of either fresh-harvested Rio Red Grapefruit or Sweet Oranges from South Texas.