Description
A tangy, creamy key lime pie with a buttery, crumbly graham cracker crust that balances tart and sweet flavors perfectly. Easy to make and perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups graham crackers (about 150g), finely crushed
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (85g), melted
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65g), divided
- ½ cup fresh key lime juice (120ml)
- 4 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces / about 400g)
- 1 teaspoon key lime zest, finely grated
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: whipped cream for topping
- Optional: fresh lime slices for decoration
Instructions
- Crush the graham crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin in a ziplock bag.
- Mix the graham cracker crumbs with 3 tablespoons of sugar and melted butter until the mixture feels like damp sand.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth and compact the crust.
- Bake the crust at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and remaining ⅓ cup sugar until pale and slightly thickened.
- Add sweetened condensed milk, fresh key lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of salt to the egg yolk mixture. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the filling into the cooled crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake the pie at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly.
- Allow the pie to cool to room temperature, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
- Before serving, top with whipped cream and garnish with fresh lime slices or extra zest. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean slices.
Notes
Use fresh key lime juice for best flavor; bottled juice can be used but add extra zest. Press crust firmly to avoid crumbling. Bake pie until edges are set but center still jiggles slightly to avoid overbaking. Chill overnight for best texture and flavor. Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Protein: 5
Keywords: key lime pie, graham cracker crust, tangy dessert, summer pie, easy pie recipe, creamy pie, lime zest, sweet and tart dessert