Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe (The Best Classic Dessert!)

This key lime pie recipe is creamy, tangy, and perfectly sweet with a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s an easy key lime pie recipe made with simple ingredients and comes together quickly. If you’re looking for the best key lime pie or a classic, traditional version that always works, this is it.

Originally published April 2011, updated April 2026

Best Key Lime Pie Recipe

My husband was born in Florida (he’s a native Floridian), and his grandparents always lived there. That’s where I got this recipe – from his grandmother (affectionally known as “Mom” to all of her grandkids).

Mom always used fresh (real) key limes and her pies were amazing!! I don’t have the luxury of picking fresh limes from my backyard like she did, but this bottled juice is a game-changer if you can’t get the real Key Limes or find your way down to Key West.

It really is the best key lime pie recipe!!

Classic Key Lime Pie

So here we go – if you’ve ever wondered how to make a key lime pie at home, Mom’s recipe is the best!

This best key lime pie recipe is simple, reliable, and made with everyday ingredients. Whether you’re using fresh key limes from the Florida Keys, bottled key lime juice, or even regular limes from the grocery store, this easy key lime pie turns out perfectly every time.

PS. If you want the flavor of key lime pie in a no bake dessert, try this recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Southern Key Lime Pie is on my list of favorite desserts for so many reasons…

• Made with simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store
• Perfect balance of tart and sweet with a rich, creamy filling
• Uses a homemade graham cracker crust (but store-bought works too!)
• One of the best ways to make a traditional key lime pie recipe at home
• A true favorite dessert for spring and summer gatherings

Ingredients

These ingredients are all easy to find, and if you can’t find one, I have suggested substitutes!

For the Graham Cracker Crust

You can absolutely buy a premade graham cracker crust if you want, but homemade is so much better!

• Graham cracker crumbs
• Melted butter
• Sugar

For the Key Lime Filling

• Sweetened condensed milk
• Egg yolks (room temperature)
• Fresh key lime juice or bottled key lime juice (generic lime juice will work if you must)

For the Toppings

• Fresh whipped cream (or store-bought)
• Lime Zest

Find the full recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.​

Equipment Needed

• Food processor (for graham crackers or fine crumbs)
• Medium bowl
• Large bowl
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• 9-inch pie plate or 9-inch pie dish
• Cooling rack

How to Make Key Lime Pie

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a food processor, pulse graham crackers into fine crumbs, or use pre-made graham cracker crumbs.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until the mixture resembles wet sand.
4. Press the crumb mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, covering the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press it down evenly. Set aside.

5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and lime juice. Mix on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth and fully combined.
6. Pour the pie filling into the prepared pie crust and spread evenly.
7. Bake for 12 minutes, or until the filling is set with a slight jiggle in the center.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight until fully chilled.

5. Before serving, garnish with key lime zest and top of the cooled pie with fresh whipped cream, if desired.

How to Make Fresh Whipped Cream

You can certainly use canned whipped cream or Cool Whip, but the best option, in my opinion, is fresh homemade whipped cream.  

You can find the measurements here, but it only takes three ingredients: cold heavy cream, powdered sugar nad vanilla. 

To make it, add the ingredients to a large bowl. Using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or an immersion blender, beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overmix, or the cream can separate.

Tips for the Best Key Lime Pie

• Use room temperature egg yolks for a smoother filling
• Fresh key limes give the most authentic flavor, but Persian limes or regular lime juice work great too
• Bottled key lime juice is a great shortcut and still tastes amazing
• Don’t overbake, the center should still jiggle slightly
• Let the crust cool completely before adding the filling

Variations

• Use coconut oil instead of butter in the crust for a subtle flavor twist.
• Garnish with toasted coconut for a lime-coconut flavor combo.
• Real Key Lime Pie is actually a bright yellow to pale yellow color (depending on your egg yolks, homegrown eggs are much deeper yellow than store-bought). For the pie to be green, add a drop or two of green food coloring.

Final Thoughts

This traditional key lime pie recipe is the real deal, simple, refreshing, and absolutely delicious. It’s been a favorite dessert for a long time in my kitchen, and I think it’ll be your new go-to recipe too.

If you’re looking for the best key lime pie that’s easy to make and always impresses, this is it. Save this key lime pie recipe, pin it for later, and don’t be surprised when the whole thing disappears fast 😉

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