If you’ve never tried key lime pie, you should definitely give it a try! It’s a rich, creamy, and full of zing American classic that’s made popular by Florida key limes. The taste of key lime pie is described in three words: tangy, sour, and sweet. Key limes have a bitter taste, but their sweetness is perfectly balanced by condensed milk, which makes for a delightfully creamy consistency in addition to a sublime flavor. Learn more about key lime pies, how they taste, what they look like, and more!
What Is A Key Lime Pie?
In a key lime pie, key limes, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks are the main ingredients. Developed in Florida, especially in the Florida Keys (hence the name), key lime pie is popular throughout the United States, served in many restaurants. You can make it at home using a few ingredients and a simple technique, we’ll share a recipe below. Served cold or at room temperature, it can be garnished with whipped cream, meringue, chocolate shavings, or candied fruit peels.
What Does Key Lime Pie Taste Like?
Traditionally, key lime pies are made with key lime juice and zest, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks, all of which contribute to its sweet, slightly bitter taste. Key lime pie’s traditional recipe has been altered many times, but its primary ingredients have always remained the same. With key limes being small and very acidic, you would expect the pie to be very sour.
Its sourness contributes to its overall flavor, however, despite the fact that the key limes are somewhat bitter. Sugar in the form of condensed milk balances out the bitterness and gives the pie a sweet, bitter, and slightly tangy flavor. There is a rich, molasses-like flavor to the crust, which is made from graham crackers mixed with melted butter.
The most popular topping for key lime pies is meringue, which adds a refreshing and cool creaminess to the key lime-flavored custard. In some cases, the meringue is even toasted with a cooking torch, giving it a delightfully toasty taste.
What Is The Texture Of Key Lime Pie?
In addition to its distinct taste, key lime pie also has an interesting texture, so it is very important to get the right texture when making it in order to enjoy its distinct flavor. Like a creamy cheesecake, a key lime pie has a creamy exterior and a smooth, soft interior. In the past, key lime pie did not require baking since its ingredients worked together to create a creamy, thick texture. However, in the present, the pies are baked to avoid raw eggs.
The middle of the pie needs to be jiggly when it’s done baking. It takes 10–20 minutes to reach this stage, depending on your oven. A key lime pie must be solid to the touch with a jiggly filling – its texture can be compared to a pudding. To complement the creaminess and softness of the pie, the graham cracker crust and the pie base must be slightly crumbly yet moist. A meringue topping adds a nice crunch and chewiness to the dessert, with its crunchy outside and soft, sticky, and pillowy interior.
Differences Between Key Lime Pie And Cheesecake
Key lime pie and cheesecake are both desserts, but the former is a pie and the latter is a cake. While key lime pie and cheesecake share many ingredients, there are a few significant differences that make them different in texture. A key lime pie is made with milk and key lime juice, while a cheesecake is made with cheese and sugar. In contrast to a rather jiggly key lime pie, cheesecake has a more solid structure due to cheese.
Can You Use Regular Limes Instead Of Key Limes?
Is it possible to use regular limes instead of key limes if you cannot get hold of some key limes?
If you do, it may slightly alter the flavor of the pie. Key limes are an integral part of the recipe, after all. Key limes are smaller than regular limes, despite looking the same. Limes are also slightly bitter, but their notes are more pronounced in key limes due to their higher acidity level. Besides having thinner skin and more seeds, key limes also have a stronger citrusy aroma and unique taste, both of which are what make them more expensive.
Key limes can also be substituted with Persian limes, also known as Tahiti limes. They have a yellow-green color and are lumpy. They are usually seedless, and have an acidic flavor, but they aren’t as distinctive as key limes.
How To Make Key Lime Pie
With just a handful of ingredients, you can make the most delicious key lime pie at home!
Ingredients
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Crackers made from Grahams
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Unsalted butter melted
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Glucose
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Yolks of eggs
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Zest of key lime
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Juice from fresh or store-bought key limes
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Condensed milk sweetened with sugar
Instructions
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The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Make the crust first.
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The graham crackers should be finely ground in a food processor.
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The graham crackers can also be placed in a sealable bag and squeezed out, sealed, and rolled into fine dust with a heavy-duty rolling pin.
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Pulse butter until it is properly incorporated.
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In a pie pan, press the prepared crust into the base and sides.
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For a deeper flavor, toast the crust in the oven for 10 minutes, then cool it.
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Meanwhile, prepare the filling.
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In a bowl, combine the egg yolks and key lime zest.
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Beat the condensed milk into the mixture until well combined.
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One last time, whisk in the key lime juice.
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Over the cooled crust, pour the filling into the pie pan.
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In order to preserve the jiggly texture in the center, bake the pie for 10–20 minutes. Do not overbake it.
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Let the pie cool on the counter before covering and refrigerating it for at least 4 hours or overnight to set. Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on the counter.
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Your choice of delicious toppings can be added after the key lime pie has been properly set.
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For an optional topping, you can mix cream, honey, and vanilla extract to make whipped cream or top the pie with meringue (our favorite).
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Garnish with additional key lime zest or sliced key limes if desired.
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Enjoy!
Notes
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Use a premade graham cracker crust if you do not have time to prepare the crust.
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Make the filling with fresh or bottled key lime juice – we highly recommend it.
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If you add too much key lime zest, the pie may taste bitter. Be careful not to overdo it or you’ll end up with a bitter pie.
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How To Make Key Lime Pie
With just a handful of ingredients, you can make the most delicious key lime pie at home!
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Ingredients
-
Crackers made from Grahams
-
Unsalted butter melted
-
Glucose
-
Yolks of eggs
-
Zest of key lime
-
Juice from fresh or store-bought key limes
-
Condensed milk sweetened with sugar
Instructions
-
-
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Make the crust first.
-
Pulverize the graham crackers in a food processor until you have a very fine crumb. You can also use a heavy-duty rolling pin to grind them into dust.
-
Pulse butter until it is properly incorporated.
-
In a pie pan, press the prepared crust into the base and sides.
-
For a deeper flavor, toast the crust in the oven for 10 minutes, then cool it.
-
Meanwhile, prepare the filling.
-
In a bowl, combine the egg yolks and key lime zest.
-
Beat the condensed milk into the mixture until well combined.
-
One last time, whisk in the key lime juice.
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Over the cooled crust, pour the filling into the pie pan.
-
In order to preserve the jiggly texture in the center, bake the pie for 10–20 minutes. Do not overbake it.
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Let the pie cool on the counter before covering and refrigerating it for at least 4 hours or overnight to set. Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on the counter.
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Related Questions
We thought you might have a few additional questions about key lime pies now that you know all about them!
How long does key lime pie last?
There is a risk of bacterial contamination when key lime pie is left out at room temperature for longer than two hours. You can store it in the refrigerator for approximately 2–3 days if you cover it loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Key lime pie can also be stored in the freezer for about 1–2 months without losing quality.
How do you know if key lime pie has gone bad?
An improperly stored key lime pie does not last very long since it is a perishable dessert. If it gives off an unpleasant and unusual smell or is covered in mold, you should discard it right away.