Luscious Sweet-Tart Key Lime (Printable)

A creamy, tangy lime filling in a crisp crust topped with smooth whipped cream and lime zest.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 13–14 crackers), crushed
02 - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Filling

05 - 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
06 - 1/2 cup key lime juice (fresh or bottled)
07 - 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
08 - 4 large egg yolks

→ Topping

09 - 1 cup heavy cream, cold
10 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Additional lime zest or thin lime slices, for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl until evenly moistened.
02 - Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool slightly.
03 - Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, lime zest, and egg yolks in a medium bowl until smooth and fully combined.
04 - Pour filling into warm crust and smooth the surface. Bake for 15 minutes until the center is just set but still slightly wobbly.
05 - Remove from oven, allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully chilled and set.
06 - Beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until medium peaks form.
07 - Pipe or spoon whipped cream over the chilled pie and decorate with lime zest or slices before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like a fancy dessert but comes together in under 20 minutes of actual work—the oven does most of the heavy lifting.
  • The balance of tart and sweet feels like a little vacation in your mouth, and somehow it never feels heavy or overwhelming.
  • You likely have most of these ingredients already, and if you don't, they're all shelf-stable essentials worth keeping around.
02 -
  • Don't overbake the filling—that slight wobble in the center is intentional and results in a creamy slice, not a dense one that tastes like egg custard.
  • Room temperature cooling is non-negotiable; rushing it to the fridge can cause cracks or an uneven set that ruins the whole presentation.
03 -
  • Fresh lime zest scattered on top right before serving looks stunning and adds a little burst of brightness that people always comment on.
  • If key lime juice isn't available, regular Persian lime juice works in a pinch—use the same amount and don't feel like you're compromising the recipe.
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