What screams summer better than a slice of key lime pie in a graham cracker crust topped with whipped cream?? This classic key lime pie is the perfect summertime dessert and so, so easy to make!
(This recipe was originally published in June 2011, but was updated with new photos in 2021).
This past weekend my parents and I went to my sister and brother-in-law's house for a Father's Day dinner. We decided to celebrate on Saturday evening since my sister and I both had to work on Sunday.
My sister told me I didn't have to bring anything, but I decided to make a key lime pie, since it's my dad's absolute favorite dessert. The man has been known to make pit stops at Legal Seafood for a slice o' key lime from time to time, so I figured why not make one for his special day 🙂
I was debating between making key lime bars or an actual pie, and decided on the pie because I know my dad so well... He's very particular about his desserts! I knew he'd prefer a triangular slice versus a bar. It's the little things.
Making a classic key lime pie is actually quite easy and consists of just two steps: 1) making the graham cracker crust (so much easier than making a traditional homemade pie crust in my opinion!) and 2) making the filling.
The toughest part of the whole thing is juicing all those little key limes. But it's so worth it!
How to Make Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Graham cracker crusts are really easy to make! I recommend using cinnamon graham crackers as it adds an extra little pizazz to this key lime pie. You'll want to crush the crackers into crumbs!
Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
Mmix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl.
Using a fork, mix until they're well combined.
Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate.
Bake the crust for 10 minutes and cool pie plate on a rack.
Your crust is ready and just needs to be filled and baked! Keep the oven on while you make the pie filling.
How to Make Key Lime Pie Filling
Using fresh key lime juice in anything is a labor of love and I figured it was the perfect dessert to celebrate my dad!
I ended up using about 19 key limes and squeezing the fresh juice by hand. I thought it was pretty fitting that it required a ton of patience since that's all my dad has had raising the three of us 🙂
You can certainly purchase key lime juice in a bottle, but I honestly think it tastes better when fresh squeezed!
To make the filling, put your egg yolks in a bowl (save the whites to make meringues!).
I'll always love our friend Lilly for encouraging me to separate egg yolks with my bare hands. It's like therapy in the kitchen!
And whisk together with condensed milk until well combined.
Add the key lime juice.
And whisk gently until everything is incorporated.
Now you're ready to pour the filling into the crust.
Bake in oven for 15 minutes and allow the pie to completely cool on a cooling rack.
Cover the pie and chill for at least 8 hours. Waiting is the hardest part!
The pie continued to chill in the fridge while we enjoyed a deeeelicious dinner.
Once dinner was over, I quickly added the heavy cream to my sister's stand mixer to make the topping for the pie so I could serve it.
I always say, you can't really go wrong with key lime anything, but this pie is just about perfection. The filling is creamy and rich and the crunchy cinnamon graham cracker crust is the right amount of sweet.
In no time at all, the pie was gone and my dad was a happy camper. Mission accomplished 🙂
More Key Lime Recipes
If you love the delicious flavor of key limes, too, try out some of these other key lime recipes!
- Key Lime Pie Mojito
- Key Lime Bars
- Key Lime Pie Popcorn (no juicing of key limes required!)
- Key Lime Mousse (from Grits and Pinecones)
- Key Lime Pound Cake (from Hummingbird Thyme)
Thanks to my dad for being the best teacher, role model and source of inspiration. Ever. In the world.
Some of the best things he's ever taught me:
Everything I need to know about football. And basketball.
How to unclog a toilet.
How to be self sufficient.
When I get a paycheck, always set aside moolah in my savings account. "Pay yourself first".
How to do a proper layup. Righty and lefty, thank you much.
It's okay to purchase a new wardrobe when I get a new job. 🙂
Always wear black socks with black shoes. Brown(ish) socks with brown shoes.
To always have a good tailor and shoe cobbler.
How to check the pressure of my tires.
How to be a fearless driver.
How to buy a car.
Never feel like I have to be in a relationship.
First impressions are everything.
Never leave a basketball court until I make at least 5 free throws. In a row.
That I can do anything in the world that I want. "As long as it's legal".
His famous words to us growing up: "You're tall. You're black. People are going to notice you anyway so always behave yourself!". It worked. My parents successfully raised three well-behaved children 😉
And that no matter what, he'll always be the one guy I can count on 🙂
I hope you are able to make this key lime pie and share it with someone you love!
What's the best thing you've learned from your dad?
📖 Recipe
Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 â…“ cups cinnamon graham cracker crumbs (about 9 graham cracker sheets)
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Key Lime Filling
- 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup + 2 Tbsp key lime juice, strained (about 20 key limes)
Whipped Cream Topping
- ¾ cup heavy cream
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using a fork, mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl until well combined.
- Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate.
- Bake crust for 10 minutes and cool in pie plate on a rack while you make the filling. Leave oven on.
Key Lime Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together condensed milk and yolks until well combined.
- Add the key lime juice and whisk gently until combined.
- Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 15 minutes. Allow pie to completely cool on a cooling rack before covering and chilling in the fridge for at least 8 hours.
- Slice pie and top each slice with whipped cream before serving.
Whipped Cream Topping
- Put heavy cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a hand mixer. Beat until stiff peaks form.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Epicurious
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Love the pictures of you and your dad! The pie looks terrific! Wish I didn't have such a hard time finding key limes!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I had a key lime pie martini last week and have been craving key lime pie ever since!!
Simply Life says
what a sweet post- I love all the pictures! And what a great dessert to make!
Elizabeth says
What a nice post! I also love the idea of using the cinnamon graham crackers in a crust. Pretty sure I've never seen that before.
Erica says
What a meal! Fried plantains are SO good! They had some form of plantains at almost every meal when we were in Jamaica and I gobbled them up. The pie looks perfect! Key lime is Josh's favorite dessert too. Sounds like your Dad is one awesome guy. My Dad taught me so much about life- especially about working hard for what you want!
Sarah says
Great post Chels! I love your "some of the best things my dad has taught me" and the pictures. And you're right, you can never go wrong with key lime anything. 🙂
Melissa says
Aw Chels this made me tear up! Dads are the best!
Katy Widrick says
My husband *swears* he makes the best key lime pie so I might have to use this recipe in a throwdown. 🙂
My dad truly is my hero...I followed in his career footsteps and am so glad that he helped me get started but let me go my own way. We have the same sense of humor and he also taught me that the Red Sox are by far the best sports team in world history. The end.
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
So sweet! Your dad sounds wonderful - and I'm sure he loved the pie. My dad taught me the value of the dollar and hard, honest work. Hated it growing up but really appreciate the lessons in adulthood.
Mary Beth says
This post was great - and your Dad sounds like a wonderful man!
Cara says
I just ate lunch, and randomly said, "I really could go for some key lime pie" and here is a recipe for it! It's so great to hear about your Dad and all you gleaned from him!
Kristen says
Stop right there. Seriously! Key Lime Pie is my absolute favorite dessert ever, and I always thought it would be too difficult to make. Enter WANM to the rescue! And then from my favorite to dessert to musings about dads? I think my favorite thing about Dad is that he was always so supportive of everything I did, but also always challenged me to be better and do better. And, he is totally cool in his own life, outside of his parenting skills! Soccer player, guitar player! He's just cool.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Cute post about your dad! I love key lime pie too but actually never made it myself. I pretty much devour any dessert with condensed milk so this is next on my list!
brandi says
I love this post 🙂
and kudos to you (and your biceps) for juicing all those limes!
carole says
What a kind, sweet, sincere, and basketball-Dad lovin' blog post. My Dad taught me a lot about cars too. Soooo thankful now. My hub's don't know jack! lol 🙂
Vidya says
Aww this post was so sweet! I had to laugh at the "you're tall, you're black" thing though. My parents said pretty much the same to me growing up. Don't you just love standing out...
Sharon says
What a beautiful tribute to your Dad, Chels. Your pie looks fantastic too! I Can see why you & Sues have so much in common...It's so obvious that FAMILY is so important to both of you!!
Daisy says
this was a really sweet post. 🙂
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
Wow, such a scrumptious-looking pie! I have some organic limes from my friend's garden, I should definitely make a pie like this too 🙂
Heather says
great post! I love the dad part-so sweet! Back in Boston-lets hang out!
theorist says
pretty much the same list including the tall and black part :^)
oh and never wear black eyeliner (I have light brown hair). LOL!
Alicia Fidalgo says
Great post Chels - I love key lime pie - and I loved all the pictures and thoughts about your dad!
Des says
Finally got a chance to sit down and read the post! 🙂 Love it! Our Dad rocks, and so did the KEY LIME!!! 🙂 xoxoxo
maiah says
Once again, I'm convinced we could take Boston by storm. Reading this lovely post, it seems like we've grown up in similar families. And at 5'8", I'm always (mostly...) well behaved thanks to my dad too, ha! 🙂