Description
A tangy, creamy, and buttery homemade key lime pie with a crisp graham cracker crust. This no-fuss dessert is perfect for summer gatherings and can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup fresh key lime juice (or mix of key and Persian limes)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 teaspoons fresh lime zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9-inch pie dish.
- In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt until it resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the pie dish. Bake for 8-10 minutes until toasted, then let cool completely.
- Roll limes on the counter to soften, then cut and juice them to yield ½ cup of fresh juice.
- In a large bowl, whisk egg yolks and cream of tartar until smooth.
- Add sweetened condensed milk and whisk until combined.
- Stir in fresh lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract. The mixture may look curdled initially.
- Pour filling into the cooled crust.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until edges are set but the center jiggles slightly.
- Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully set.
- Serve topped with whipped cream and lime slices.
Notes
Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor; bottled juice can taste metallic. Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to prevent curdling. The pie must be chilled for at least 4 hours to set properly. For clean slices, dip a sharp knife in hot water before cutting. Do not overbake to avoid cracks.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 48
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: key lime pie, graham cracker crust, homemade dessert, summer pie, tangy lime dessert, no bake pie, classic key lime pie