Description
Ina Garten’s key lime pie delivers a zesty tropical escape with its tangy graham cracker crust and silky lime custard. Creamy, refreshing flavors dance across your palate, whisking you straight to coastal Florida with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 14-ounce (396 grams) cans sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk)
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
Crust Ingredients:
- 1½ cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Flavoring and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
- ¾ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
- 8 to 10 thin lime slices
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) with the rack positioned in the center of the oven.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl, using a fork to initially blend, then switching to hands to ensure thorough incorporation.
- Transfer the crumb mixture to a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan, pressing firmly along the bottom and sides using fingertips or the flat bottom of a glass, focusing first on creating even sides.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes until it achieves a light golden-brown color, then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk sweetened condensed milk, yogurt, freshly grated lime zest, and lime juice in a large bowl until the mixture becomes thick and uniformly smooth.
- Carefully pour the lime filling into the cooled graham cracker crust, ensuring an even distribution.
- Bake for 15 minutes, watching for a filling that’s almost set but retains a slight wobble in the center.
- Let the pie cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for approximately 3 hours to achieve complete setting.
- Using an electric mixer, whip heavy cream until soft peaks begin to form.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and continue beating until medium-firm peaks develop.
- Spread the prepared whipped cream evenly across the chilled pie’s surface.
- Garnish with additional lime zest and thin lime slices for visual appeal.
- Maintain the pie in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Cut into wedges and serve chilled for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Fresh lime zest adds intense citrusy punch and bright aroma to every bite.
- Chilling pie overnight deepens flavor profiles and helps filling set perfectly.
- Graham cracker crust works best when pressed firmly into pan with even pressure.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and create consistent filling texture.
- Whipped cream topping looks stunning when piped using star-tipped pastry bag for elegant finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg