Mmmmmm, wouldn’t you love a slice of this right now? I would! I Love key lime pie. That’s right, “Love” with a capital “L”. I have to tell you, I’ve tried several recipes, including more complicated and time-consuming ones, but not one has been better than this one. Call me shallow, but that’s my verdict and I’m sticking to it.
An entire 3/4 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice is used along with a whole tablespoon of fresh lime zest! Sour cream is added and provides a delicious freshness to the sweet-tartness of the lime juice. Sweetened condensed milk is substituted for traditional egg yolks. Factual tidbit of today: Did you know that condensed milk has been around since at least the 13th century? Condensed milk is milk that has had the water removed, thus enabling it to have a very long shelf life. This method of preparing milk enabled children and adults throughout the centuries before refrigeration was invented to enjoy regular access to milk. World War I revived the market for condensed milk and it has been part of regular food production since.
This key lime pie is as delicious as they come and it is insanely easy to make!
Have you tried key limes before? Key limes have a higher acidity level than standard, Persian, limes you find in any grocery store. They’re more tart and bitter. Key limes originate from the Middle East. Remember the Chicken Machboos recipe that used dried, or “black”, limes? That’s right, they’re the same limes and in dried form they are a staple in Middle Eastern cooking. The “key” in key limes is an American addition and was added sometime after 1926, the year a huge hurricane struck Miami and destroyed most of the lime agriculture, relegating production primarily to the Florida keys.
Florida is very proud of their key limes. In 1965, Florida State Representative Bernie Papy, Jr. called for a $100 fine against anyone advertising Key Lime Pie that was made with regular limes. The bill never passed, but Key Lime Pie has since been designated the official pie of the State of Florida. Florida, I salute your good taste!
Note: Once you’ve combined the ingredients you’ll note how liquidy the filling is and you’ll wonder if you perhaps did something wrong or the recipe left something out. Don’t worry, it means you did things RIGHT! The liquidy filling will miraculously firm up through the baking process – an interesting chemical reaction that occurs between the lime juice and the sweetened condensed milk when heated.
- For the pie crust:
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter
- For the pie filling:
- 2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup fresh key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream
- To make the crust, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Press mixture into a 9-inch pie plate and bake for 7 minutes. Let the crust cool completely before adding the pie filling.
- To make the pie filling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large non-metal bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and zest, and the sour cream. Stir until thoroughly combined. Note: Be sure to scoop out every last bit of the condensed milk.
- Pour the mixture into the graham cracker crust and bake for about 10 minutes. Make sure to not brown it.
- Let the pie cool completely, then transfer it to the fridge to chill for at least a couple of hours before serving.
mary says
I’ve eaten Key Lime pie. I have eaten it in Key West. Many recipes abound. Since real limes are not always readily available, have you used the bottled form? That recipe also calls for 3 egg yolks, but yours has no eggs. Also have you ever used “light” condensed milk?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Mary, yes you can use bottled key lime juice. There is no need to use egg yolks when you use sweetened condensed milk (not the same thing as light or regular condensed milk).
Rumplestiltskin says
I’ve been searching for a recipe that I thought I’d gotten here which. calls for a crust made from gingersnaps and finely chopped pecans. In addition, the filling calls for whipping cream instead of condensed milk and gelatin (plus lime juice, zest, and sugar of course. To add to the caloric disaster, it also calls for whipped cream for topping sprinkled with lime zest. I made it and intend to makes some changes such as decrease the lime zest in the filling and add ~ another half pkg. of gelatin. You’re also supposed to add a little lime zest to the crust. It was delicious, but sadly, I had to give most of it to my guests to take home; otherwise I’d have gained five pounds!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Rumplestiltskin, that wasn’t here on my site but it sounds delicious!
[email protected] says
this is insanely delicious! my biggest problem was trying not to spoon all the condensed milk mixture into my mouth before the base had cooled!!! thanks so much
Matt
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Haha! Awesome, so glad you enjoyed this, thank you!
Michele says
Oh, sorry. I see you just use other limes. I have read adding lemon juice is a good idea. Was wondering if you did something special, too.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Michele! No, I just use straight lime juice for the key lime pie so I can get as much of that lime flavor as possible.