Sardinia beaches and beyond is what we are calling this part of our vacation. An…
Key West Key Lime Pie
Key West Florida is famous world-wide for its fun, laid back life style. Also, for it’s signature dessert: Key Lime Pie. Visiting this southern most spot many times and sampling more than my fair share of this creamy concoction. I can assure you that this simple dessert can be both a lazy Summer savor and a little more healthful treat.
*** UPDATED: January 22, 2023 ***
Be the Dessert Hero
Key West Key Lime Pie is scrumptious and so easy kids or husbands can quickly master this confection. Yes, they will make you a dreamy dessert perfect for your birthday, brunch or a dinner party! Leave this recipe on the kitchen counter or email to your spouse. Yes, hint, hint! Also, there are only a few ingredients and none are hard to find. I pick up a few extra organic limes because any leftovers can be made into Margaritas. But that’s a whole different story! Additionally, guarantee that anyone who makes this delectable dessert will lick their plate. Also, they will have the confidence to try other recipes. Dessert Hero – it sounds good on you!
Becoming a Key West Key Lime Pie Expert
Years ago when I was a teenager, I was allowed to spend a glorious week at a scuba diving camp in the Florida Keys. My Grandfather drove me, stopping along the Overseas Highway whenever there was a local little Mom-and-Pop restaurant. We’d take a break, relaxing under palm trees and trying out the Florida Keys signature dessert: Key Lime Pie! The variety of different Pies was actually amazing. Some are bright green colored, others with merengue topping and a pastry crust and the most delicious are the yellow colored, graham cracker crust pies with a topping of cool, whipped cream. Now any dessert claiming to be a Key West Key Lime Pie that arrives green is immediately sent back as an imposter! This girl knows better.
In Search of Pie
If you knew my Grandfather Tom – and everyone did because he would strike up a conversation with all he crossed paths. All loved Grandpa Tom and they would tell him the local scoop. Head south and stop at Mile 7 Grill So, they serve delectable Key West Key Lime Pie? Seems like we have to go! After spending many summers in Florida and tasting more than my share of this delicious dessert, my recipe is perfect! Due to my obsession, I have expanded my repertoire to include Key Lime Martini’s, Key Lime Muffins and Key Lime Bars. Because there is always room in a menu for Key Lime! Perfect for dessert after dinner of Chicken Marsala.
Variety is the Spice of Life
Some people travel to experience local, traditional food and drink. If you are looking for a fun vacation with lots of deliciousness, the Florida Keys deliver. Most noteworthy: delicious conch fritters, gator bites, freshly caught fish sandwiches and of course Key West Key Lime Pie. Many varieties exist. From pastry crust with merengue frosting to my favorite, graham cracker crust with dollops of homemade whipped cream. On hot summer days, I place the Pie in the freezer for an hour or two. A completely new frozen Pie emerges! Seems there is a vast number of ways to change up Key Lime Pie! Therefore the only challenge is which one is your favorite? Because of this, you may want to look at The Key West Key Lime Pie Cookbook
Don’t you just love local cookbooks? A whole book on Key West Key Lime Pie. Directions to Heaven.
Just be warned: this pie is addicting! And may cause people to fall in love with you. Especially if you serve with a sparkling Prosecco wine from Tenuta Torciano.
Need some convincing to make this recipe? “I don’t even like Key Lime Pie but this one is REALLY delicious! I don’t like pie either but this one is so good I am eating my third piece!” Exact words from very picky teens. Husband said, “easiest pie to make and what a great dessert to prepare for your wife and not too unhealthy!”
Key West Key Lime Pie
Deliciously easy recipe for Florida's signature Key West Key Lime Pie. Only a few ingredients, this pie will make you the Dessert Hero! Kids or husband can make for your birthday, brunch or BBQ. More healthful as change out yoghurt for sour cream.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1½ cups Graham cracker crumbs GF graham crackers
- ⅓ cup Sugar
- 5 tablespoons Melted butter Dairy free Earthbound "butter"
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Rum Or Vanilla extract
Key Lime Pie Filling
- 1 14 oz. Can Sweetened Condensed Milk can use fat free/Coconut milk options
- 1 5.3 oz. Container of Greek yoghurt Coconut/Vanilla/Almond/Dairy free
- 2-4 limes Zest of Limes either Key Limes or Limes
- ⅔ cup Fresh Lime juice
Whipped Cream Topping
- ½ cup Heavy Whipping Cream organic/Frozen Coconut cream
- 1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Rum or rum extract or Vanilla extract
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Press Graham crackers crumbs firmly into 8-9 inch pie plate evenly, making sure to go up sides.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven 7-9 minutes or until cooked.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on rack while you make Key Lime filling.
Key Lime Pie Filling
- Whisk all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour into cooled Graham Cracker crust and bake in preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or until no longer wobbly in the middle.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on rack.
- Once cool, place in fridge for 2-3 hours or overnight to chill.
Whipped Cream Topping
- Put bowl from stand mixer along with whipping attachment in freezer to thoroughly cool about 30 minutes.
- Beat all ingredients together until stiff peaks form, 4 -5 minutes.
- Dollop whipped cream or cover pie completely, adding small slices of lime or a little lime zest for color and garnishment.
- Keep refrigerated until serving.
Notes
We use @Kite Hill Almond yoghurt for dietary reasons.
Pro Tip: Reserve a tablespoon of the graham cracker crust to sprinkle on top of the Pie or garnish each plate.
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I’m going to have to try making your Key Lime Pie Cindi. I visited Florida Keys way back in my early 20’s and have great memories of the delicious key lime pies there.
Hi Wendy 🙂 As you have been to the Fl. Keys, you know really good Key Lime Pie! Perfect for warm days.
Great recipe and love the Margarita-based sustainable economy. 🙂
Haha! You get my humor 🙂 Isn’t everything better with a cocktail?
Such a delicious recipe Cindi, we have never been in Key West but we will definetly try a piece of it through this cake.
This looks like the kind of cake that fits perfect a summer afternoon with a cold capuccino!
Thanks for sharing this recipe with such great level of detail
Ohh, great suggestion of having a cold cup of cappuccino with this Key Lime Pie! Have to try that – thank you so much for your kind comments, appreciate it 🙂 If you get the chance, Key West is lovely.
I have great memories of Key West! The Hemingway House, Mallory Square at sunset, Sloppy Joe’s and one of my favorite pies! Love Key Lime pie!
Isn’t Key West wonderful?! One of my favorite places and Key Lime Pie is certainly a reason!
This looks like a great dessert. I have never tried this before! Thank you for sharing.
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
SO cool and scrumptious – perfect for summer!
Oh wow I love Key Lime Pie. This makes me really crave it right now! Thanks for sharing
Key Lime Pie is a craving of mine too – Perfect for hot summer days!
That looks incredible!!! When visiting family in the states, we ordered a key lime pie from Key West and sent it to our Folly Beach Airbnb. We HAD to have it! This recipe looks incredible! If I can find the ingredients here in Switzerland, I’ll give it a go!
Great idea to order Key Lime Pie from Key West! Would like to know if you are actually able to find the ingredients in Switzerland, home of the most delicious fondue IMHO.
Ohhhh…I must attempt to make this key lime pie. We went to the Keys a couple of years ago and loved the pie as well as the conch fritters.
Conch fritters – yum – perfect Key West foods! Please let me know if you make this Key Lime Pie and your thoughts as you have had the Real Deal!
My baking skills are pretty limited but I would venture to try this recipe. Looks great, that’s for sure!
Anda
You should try this recipe – it is very easy and once you taste, you will make again and again! Just our experience. Thanks for stopping by!
Key Lime is one of my favourite kind of pies! Although I’ve never made it myself. I’m going to pin this for when I get the courage up 🙂
It’s a wonderful pie (although most pies are IMHO). Please let me know if you make it!
The key lime pie looks delicious and I can’t wait to try the recipe.
So glad that you liked the Key Lime Pie!
Great memories of a dive trip to the Keys! That’s how awesome moments are made with family! Food and Family are the best ones!
I LOVE Key Lime Pie and this one sounds not only delicious but super healthy too! Must try this! I have been known to ask for Key Lime Pie for my birthday!🍈🎉
Thanks for sharing your memory and the pie recipe!