The Key Lime Pie, a classic dessert with a refreshing, tangy filling and a sweet graham cracker crust. Its unique flavor comes from the special kind of limes used, the Key limes, which are smaller and more aromatic than regular limes.
Although the ingredients required for this recipe are generally common, the key lime might not be readily available in all supermarkets due to its specific growing areas. If you cannot find key limes, you can substitute with regular limes, but the flavor will be slightly different. Also, ready-made graham cracker crumbs might not be available in all stores, but you can easily make your own by crushing graham crackers.
Ingredients for Key Lime Pie
Graham cracker crumbs: These are made from sweetened, crumbled graham crackers and form the base of the crust for our pie.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to the graham cracker crust.
Butter: Binds the graham cracker crumbs and sugar together to form the crust.
Sweetened condensed milk: A key ingredient that gives the filling its creamy, sweet consistency.
Egg yolks: Adds richness to the filling and helps it set when baked.
Key lime juice: Gives the filling its signature tart flavor.
Lime zest: Adds an extra hit of lime flavor to the filling.
Whipped cream: Topping for the pie, adds a light, creamy contrast to the tart lime filling.
One reader, Chico Zhang says:
This key lime pie recipe is a game-changer! The graham cracker crust is perfectly crunchy, and the filling is a burst of tangy sweetness. It's so easy to make, and every bite feels like a slice of paradise. I highly recommend trying it out for a delightful dessert experience!
Techniques for Making the Perfect Key Lime Pie
How to make graham cracker crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter until evenly mixed. Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake the crust at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, then let it cool.
How to make the filling: Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks until combined. Add key lime juice and whisk by hand for 1 minute until the mixture is slightly thickened. Pour the filling into the crust and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.
How to chill the pie: Once baked, transfer the pie to a cooling rack and let it reach room temperature. Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours, or until it is chilled and set.
How to top with whipped cream: Add whipped cream to the pie just before serving, if desired.
How To Make Key Lime Pie
Nothing beats the classic key lime pie for a refreshing dessert with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. Try this easy recipe!
Serves:
Ingredients
For Graham Cracker Crust:
- 1¼cupsgraham cracker crumbs,finely ground
- 2tbspsugar
- 5tbspbutter,melted
For Filling:
- 14ozsweetened condensed milk
- 4large egg yolks
- ½cupkey lime juice,preferably fresh, but bottled juice also works
- 1tbsplime zest,optional
- 2cupswhipped cream,optional
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Stir together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl until evenly combined.
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Press mixture evenly onto the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch pie plate. Bake crust on the middle oven shelf for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool.
Filling:
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While the crust is baking, whisk together the condensed milk and egg yolks in a bowl until combined. Add juice and whisk by hand for 1 minute until combined and slightly thickened.
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Pour filling into crust and bake on the middle oven shelf for 15 minutes.
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Transfer pie to a cooling rack, and let sit until it reaches room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until chilled and set.
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Top with whipped cream just before serving, if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 173.24kcal
- Fat: 9.63g
- Saturated Fat: 5.31g
- Trans Fat: 0.19g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.78g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.99g
- Carbohydrates: 19.34g
- Fiber: 0.16g
- Sugar: 16.16g
- Protein: 3.22g
- Cholesterol: 69.79mg
- Sodium: 64.31mg
- Calcium: 91.02mg
- Potassium: 123.03mg
- Iron: 0.34mg
- Vitamin A: 79.16µg
- Vitamin C: 3.40mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Key Lime Pie Success
When zesting the lime, make sure to only grate the green part of the peel. The white part, known as the pith, can be quite bitter and could potentially alter the sweet-tart balance of your key lime pie. Using a microplane zester can help you achieve this with precision. Also, always zest your limes before juicing them, it's much easier this way.
Time-Saving Tips for Key Lime Pie Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the graham cracker crust and the filling the day before. This will save time on the day you plan to serve the pie.
Use store-bought crust: If you're short on time, consider using a pre-made graham cracker crust from the store. It can be a real time-saver.
Chill the pie: Ensure the pie is thoroughly chilled before serving. This can be done a day in advance, allowing you to focus on other tasks on the day of serving.
Organize ingredients: Before you start, gather all the ingredients and equipment needed for the recipe. This will streamline the cooking process and save time.
Use a food processor: Consider using a food processor to crush the graham crackers for the crust. It's quicker and more efficient than crushing them by hand.
Opt for bottled lime juice: If fresh key limes are not readily available, using bottled key lime juice can save time and effort without compromising the flavor.
Substitute Ingredients For Key Lime Pie Recipe
graham cracker crumbs - Substitute with digestive biscuit crumbs: Digestive biscuits have a similar texture and flavor to graham crackers, making them a suitable substitute for the crust.
sweetened condensed milk - Substitute with coconut condensed milk: Coconut condensed milk can add a hint of coconut flavor to the pie, providing a unique twist to the traditional recipe.
key lime juice - Substitute with regular lime juice: Regular lime juice can be used as a substitute for key lime juice if key limes are not available, although the flavor may be slightly different.
whipped cream - Substitute with coconut whipped cream: Coconut whipped cream can add a tropical twist to the pie, complementing the lime flavor with a hint of coconut.
Presentation Ideas for Key Lime Pie
Elevate the graham cracker crust: Instead of a traditional graham cracker crust, consider using a combination of graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter to create a more refined and visually appealing crust. Press the mixture into the pie plate with precision to ensure a perfect base for the pie.
Incorporate artistic plating: When presenting the key lime pie, focus on aesthetically pleasing plating. Consider using a circular motion with the whipped cream to create a visually stunning design on top of the pie. Use a fine grater to sprinkle delicate lime zest over the whipped cream for an elegant touch.
Utilize high-quality ingredients: Opt for freshly squeezed key lime juice and organic eggs to enhance the flavor profile of the pie. The use of premium ingredients will elevate the overall taste and appeal of the dish, showcasing your commitment to excellence.
Create a harmonious balance of flavors: Pay attention to the balance of sweetness and tartness in the filling. Adjust the amount of sweetened condensed milk and key lime juice to achieve the perfect harmony of flavors, ensuring a delightful culinary experience for the judges.
Precision in portioning: Focus on precision when cutting and serving the pie. Each slice should be uniform in size and shape, showcasing your attention to detail and culinary expertise. Consider using a sharp, clean knife for flawless presentation.
Garnish with finesse: Elevate the presentation by adding a touch of sophistication to the dish. Consider garnishing the plate with edible flowers or candied lime slices to add a pop of color and an element of surprise, demonstrating your creativity and attention to detail.
Emphasize the importance of texture: Ensure that the pie has a perfect balance of creamy filling and crisp crust. The contrast in textures will elevate the overall dining experience, showcasing your understanding of the importance of texture in creating a memorable dessert.
Essential Tools for Making Key Lime Pie
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen tool that can be used for tasks such as grinding graham crackers for the crust, or blending the filling ingredients for the key lime pie.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter for the crust, as well as for whisking together the filling ingredients.
9-inch pie plate: A 9-inch pie plate is used to shape and bake the graham cracker crust for the key lime pie.
Whisk: A whisk is necessary for combining the condensed milk, egg yolks, key lime juice, and lime zest to create the smooth and creamy filling for the pie.
Oven: The oven is used for baking the graham cracker crust and then later for baking the filled pie until it is set.
Cooling rack: A cooling rack is used to allow the pie to cool down to room temperature before refrigerating it to set.
Refrigerator: The refrigerator is essential for chilling and setting the key lime pie before serving.
Measuring cups and spoons: Measuring cups and spoons are used to accurately measure the ingredients for the key lime pie recipe.
Storing and Freezing Key Lime Pie
Here are the storing and freezing guidelines for key lime pie:
- To store leftover key lime pie, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The whipped cream topping may deflate a bit, but it will still taste delicious.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the key lime pie for up to 1 month. Here's how:
- Wrap the cooled pie tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped pie in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible.
- Label the container with the date and contents.
- When ready to serve, remove the pie from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- If you want to freeze individual slices, follow these steps:
- Cut the pie into desired portions and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze the slices until solid, about 2 hours.
- Wrap each frozen slice in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
- To thaw, remove the desired number of slices from the freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Note that the texture of the pie may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but the flavor will remain delicious. It's best to add fresh whipped cream topping after thawing for optimal results.
Interesting Fact About Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is named after the small key limes that are grown in the Florida Keys. These limes are known for their distinctive flavor, which is more tart and aromatic than regular limes. The use of key lime juice gives the pie its unique and refreshing taste.
Is Making Key Lime Pie at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this key lime pie recipe is quite high. The ingredients are relatively inexpensive and readily available in most grocery stores. The use of sweetened condensed milk and key lime juice keeps the cost down, making it a budget-friendly dessert option for a household. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$15, depending on the prices of ingredients in your area. Overall Verdict: 9/10.
Is Key Lime Pie Healthy or Unhealthy?
The key lime pie recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy due to several factors:
- High sugar content from the sweetened condensed milk and added sugar in the crust
- Significant amount of saturated fat from the butter in the crust and the egg yolks in the filling
- Lack of nutritional value, as it primarily consists of simple carbohydrates and fats
However, there are ways to make this recipe healthier without compromising its iconic flavor:
- Replace the graham cracker crust with a whole-grain or nut-based crust to increase fiber and nutrient content
- Use a sugar substitute or reduce the amount of sweetened condensed milk to decrease the overall sugar content
- Incorporate Greek yogurt or silken tofu into the filling to reduce the number of egg yolks and add protein
- Top the pie with fresh fruit instead of whipped cream to add vitamins, minerals, and fiber
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious version of the classic key lime pie. Remember, moderation is key, and enjoying a slice of this pie occasionally as part of a well-rounded diet is perfectly acceptable.
Editor's Opinion on This Key Lime Pie Recipe
This key lime pie recipe is a classic and delightful dessert. The graham cracker crust provides a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, while the creamy and tangy filling is a burst of citrusy flavor. The addition of whipped cream adds a light and airy finish. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful combination of textures and flavors, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
Enhance Your Key Lime Pie Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Key Lime Pie Recipe:
This recipe for Key Lime Pie is a tried and true classic, using graham cracker crumbs for a perfect crust and a luscious filling made with sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and lime zest. The combination of these fresh and zesty ingredients creates a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors. With a simple yet precise method, this recipe ensures a creamy and refreshing pie every time. Trust the expertise behind this recipe and indulge in a slice of this delightful dessert.
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