The Best Key Lime Pie Recipe | Homemade Crust and Creamy Filling

Introduction

Today, we're stepping into the delightful world of dessert making with a classic Key Lime Pie recipe from The Stay At Home Chef. This pie is a perfect blend of tartness and sweetness, featuring a creamy filling and a homemade crust that sets it apart from any store-bought version. The unique twist of combining a shortbread crust's texture with the flavor of a graham cracker crust makes it irresistibly delicious. Perfect for any occasion, this key lime pie promises to be a hit.

Ingredients

• For the Crust:

  • 1/2 cup room temperature butter
  • 1/8 cup honey
  • 1/8 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

• For the Filling:

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice (about 10-12 key limes, or regular limes if key limes are unavailable)

• For the Whipped Cream:

  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/8 cup powdered sugar

Preparation Steps

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for the crust.
2. Make the Crust: In a stand mixer, cream together butter, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. Gradually add flour and salt until the mixture is crumbly. Press this mixture into a 9-inch pie plate and bake for 7 minutes. Let it cool on a rack afterward.
3. Prepare the Filling: Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Whip the egg yolks until fluffy, then mix in the heavy cream. Add sweetened condensed milk and whip again. Finally, stir in the key lime juice and pour the mixture into the cooled crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until the filling is set.
4. Cool and Chill: Allow the pie to cool for 1 hour at room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
5. Whipped Cream Topping: Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread this over the chilled pie.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Once the pie is fully set and chilled, it's ready to be served. Enjoy the creamy, tart, and sweet flavors that make this key lime pie a delicious treat.

Conclusion

This Key Lime Pie recipe brings a refreshing zest to your dessert menu, combining the tangy flavor of key limes with a sweet, creamy filling and a homemade crust that's second to none. Whether you're a seasoned baker or new to the kitchen, this pie is sure to impress with its balance of flavors and textures. Perfect for sharing or indulging in a slice (or two) on your own, it's a delightful way to finish any meal on a high note.