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!”

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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.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time17 minutes mins

Cooling2 hours hrs

Total Time27 minutes mins

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy

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.