Prepare to embark on a tantalizing culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the sunny shores of the Florida Keys! This Easiest Key Lime Pie recipe is your ticket to creating a dessert so effortlessly delicious, it'll make you look like a professional pastry chef without breaking a sweat. In just 25 minutes of total preparation time, you'll craft a creamy, zesty pie that's guaranteed to become the star of any gathering, leaving your guests begging for the recipe.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pre-made graham cracker crust
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup key lime juice
- 1 large egg yolk
- Whipped cream (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center of the oven.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and egg yolk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The mixture should be slightly thick and have a pale yellow-green color.
- Carefully pour the key lime filling into the pre-made graham cracker crust, using a spatula to spread it evenly and ensure no air bubbles are present.
- Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. The filling should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center when gently shaken.
- Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps the filling set properly.
- Once cooled, refrigerate the pie for at least 2-3 hours or preferably overnight to allow the filling to fully set and develop its signature tangy flavor.
- Before serving, top the pie with generous dollops of whipped cream. For best presentation, use a piping bag or create swirls with a spoon.
- Slice the pie into 8 equal wedges and serve chilled. Optionally, garnish with lime zest or thin lime slices for extra visual appeal.
Tips
- • For the most authentic flavor, use fresh key lime juice if possible, but bottled key lime juice works perfectly fine too. • Make sure your egg yolk is at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing with the condensed milk. • When baking, watch the pie carefully - it should be just set with a slight jiggle in the center, which prevents overcooking and ensures a creamy texture. • For an extra-professional touch, use a kitchen torch to lightly brown the whipped cream peaks before serving. • To get clean, perfect slices, run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between each cut. • If you want to make this pie ahead of time, it can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, making it perfect for advance party preparation. • For a fun variation, try adding a sprinkle of toasted coconut or graham cracker crumbs on top of the whipped cream for added texture and visual appeal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
