Florida Key Lime Pie Recipe with Real Whipped Cream

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This authentic recipe for Florida Key Lime Pie is incredibly delicious! It’s easy to make and features a rich and creamy sweet-tart filling made with real key lime juice, topped with fresh whipped cream, all held in a buttery graham cracker crust. It’s absolutely divine!

This tasty lime pie recipe is straight from the Florida Keys, and you can really taste it! The silky texture and citrus flavors are so vibrant and tropical that it feels like you’ve been transported to one of the state’s gorgeous sandy beaches.

The refreshing lime treat is even better on the hottest of days when you desperately need something to cool yourself down!

And finally, if you’re a huge key lime pie fan, this Atlantic Beach Pie is worth your time! It’s a twist on the typical lemon pie with a salty crust and a sweet-tart filling — YUM!

Key ingredients & substitutions for this Classic Key Lime Pie Recipe

Graham Cracker Pie Crust and Key Lime Filling

• Key lime juice | I use Nellie & Joe’s bottled key lime juice, a popular brand known for its tart and refreshing taste. It is made from the juice of key limes, which are smaller and more acidic than regular limes. Of course, you juice squeeze juice from fresh key limes yourself.
• Sweetened condensed milk | Two cans of sweetened condensed milk will be the base of the key lime pie filling. Don’t get it confused with evaporated milk — these two ingredients are very different, but typically right next to each other on the grocery store shelf.
• Eggs | A few egg yolks will help the key lime pie thicken to a more fluffy and silky texture. If you don’t have egg yolks, try substituting them with yogurt.

• Powdered sugar | Use sifted powdered sugar to bring some sweetness to the pie. 
• Lime zest | Boost the key lime flavor with fresh lime zest!
• Graham cracker crust | I like to use this easy homemade graham cracker crust recipe made with melted butter and crushed graham cracker crumbs —it makes all the difference when the crust is made from scratch! But you can always grab a pre-made pie crust from the store. 

Whipped Cream

• Heavy cream | The main ingredient in homemade whipped cream is, of course, heavy whipping cream, also referred to as heavy cream. Regular whipping cream does the trick but produces a less thick and creamy topping.
• Powdered sugar | Bring sweetness to the whipped cream with powdered sugar.
• Vanilla | Finally, add a few drops of rich vanilla extract to deepen the flavor.

Equipment needed

• Whisk attachment
• Microplane Zester

How to make this Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe

With a few simple ingredients and a little extra time, you can easily make this delicious homemade key lime pie recipe with tart flavors and a perfectly creamy filling.

STEP 1 | Make the Pie Crust

Trust me, you won’t regret taking a few extra minutes to throw together this homemade graham cracker crust.

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Next, prepare the crust mixture by crushing graham crackers into fine crumbs and combining them with melted butter in a mixing bowl.

Press it firmly into a deep dish 9-inch pie plate and bake for 10 minutes, removing it to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 2 | Mix the Pie Filling

Next, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and set out a large bowl. Add the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, sifted powdered sugar, freshly squeezed key lime juice, and zest.

Combine the filling ingredients with an electric mixer for one or two minutes until they are silky smooth.

STEP 3 | Pour, Bake, and Chill

Carefully pour the key lime pie filling into the freshly prepared graham cracker crust and gently smooth the top with a spatula. Then, bake for 15 to 20 minutes, careful not to brown the top. Remove the pie when it’s finished baking and cool it on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

Finally, refrigerate and chill the pie for at least 2 hours before slicing, so the filling can firm up for the perfect bite.

While waiting, prepare to create the fluffy homemade whipped cream!

STEP 4 | Whip the Heavy Cream

To make whipped cream from scratch, pour the heavy whipping cream into a chilled bowl and beat it with an electric mixer using the whisk attachment. Once you notice subtle and soft peaks form, move on to the next step.

STEP 5 | Add the Remaining Ingredients and Serve!

Now, sprinkle in the powdered sugar and add a few drops of vanilla extract. Continue beating the mixture until stiff peaks form.

Then, pipe or dollop the freshly made whipped cream on top of the chilled pie, slice, serve, and ENJOY!

For more creamy and light pie recipes, check out these three masterpieces —

• Impossible Pie includes sweet shredded coconut and magically forms its own crust!
• And if you like the sound of that recipe, you must try a bite of this Million Dollar Pie with more coconut, juicy pineapple, and crunchy chopped pecans.
• If you fall in love with the tangy-sweet taste of traditional key lime pie, try making some key lime pie cookies or these adorable Mini Coconut Key Lime Pies.

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

Refreshing and bright key lime pie is excellent following a tropics-inspired dish like fish taco bowls or my grilled chicken salad with mango dressing.

Or experiment with other summery lime treats, like homemade limeade or a refreshing lime cocktail!

Behind the recipe: Authentic Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie is the official State Pie of the lovely sunshine state of Florida, but did key lime pie originate in Florida?

For the longest time, Floridians took pride in creating this tropical treat. However, the origins of this delicious tangy pie are unclear. The pie was always believed to be born in the 19th century somewhere in Key West, Florida. 

However, more recent digging has led to the possibility that the state’s signature pie may not have come from Florida! The creamy lime dessert is suspected of having originated in New York City.

Historians discovered an almost identical recipe made by a New York condensed milk company and eventually traveled down the east coast to sunny Florida. The original NY recipe uses lemons in place of limes.

So, it’s believed that Florida pie makers took the recipe and put their own tropical twist on it, using tasty and delicate key limes.