Key Lime Pie is a traditional American dessert. It is a tart, light-colored custard with a creamy filling and a zesty lime flavor. It is typically served in a graham cracker crust and garnished with a whipped cream dollop.
Brief History and Origin
The origin of Key Lime Pie is believed to have come from Key West, Florida, during the 19th century. The pie was originally made with Key limes, which are smaller, tarter and more fragrant than regular limes. At the time, the pie was a simple dish consisting of a graham cracker crust and sweetened condensed milk combined with the juice of the Key limes, creating a custard-like filling.
Key Lime Pie – The Recipe
- Preparation Time: 30 mins
- Cooking Time: 25 mins
- Total time: 55 mins
- Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 300g graham cracker crumbs
- 150g melted butter
- 397g condensed milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 4 limes juice & finely grated zest
- 300ml double cream
- 1 tbsp. icing sugar
- extra lime zest to decorate
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and preheat it to 140 degrees C.
- Add graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl, mix well and transfer to a 22cm loose-based tart tin; press gently to make an even crust.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. When done, remove from oven and leave to cool.
- In a large bowl, add egg yolks and beat for 3 minutes using an electric mixer; add condensed milk and beat for another 3 minutes.
- Add lime juice and zest, and keep whisking for another 3 minutes. Pour the mixture on top of the cooled crust and place in the preheated oven; bake for 15 minutes.
- When ready, remove from oven, allow to cool for some time, then transfer to the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or until chilled.
- Take off from refrigerator when ready to serve, remove from tin and transfer to the serving plate.
- In a bowl, whip the double cream with icing sugar, transfer to the piping bag and pipe on top of the chilled pie. Serve and enjoy!
Popular variations
Here are a few ways you can change this basic recipe to adjust it to your liking:
- Orange Key Lime Pie: Orange Key Lime Pie has a delicious cardamom crust and notes of oranges. The tangy, sour flavor of the oranges, blended with tart Key Lime, is beautifully balanced with the rich and creamy sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Sour Cream Key Lime Pie: This key lime has all the traditional flavor but with a little elevation with sour cream. It is simple and easy to make and is best for every occasion.
- Chocolate Key Lime Pie: The chocolate key lime has a delicious and rich chocolate crust with key lime and shaved chocolate cream pie filling. It is rich, tangy, and so creamy all together.
- Strawberry-Key Lime Pie: the strawberry in a Key lime pie brings out the freshness in a unique yet satisfying way. It has a crunchy base. Creamy filling the topping of the fresh strawberries and glaze. So Diecious.
- Orange Lime Pie with Meringue Topping: Inspired by ley lime pie, this orange lime pie has tartness, and the sweetness from the orange and the Meringue topping makes it extra special.
