Key Lime Pie Recipe | Carnation (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a key lime pie and a Florida key lime pie? ›

The main difference is that it requires more aromatic Key lime juice to make the famous pie sing. It is worth the elbow grease to get that authentic floral Key lime flavor—unless you can't find Key limes. Then swap them out for whatever you see at the grocery store and dig in.

Key lime pie ingredients are simple: sweetened condensed milk, lots of lime zest and juice (preferably from key limes), and just enough egg to give it a good set. Pour the filling into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, bake briefly until the pie is set, and let it chill. Top the pie with whipped cream and serve.

Rather, the key to perfecting the Publix key lime pie is a simple ingredient added to the graham cracker crust. It's not the graham crackers themselves that make the crust special, but rather the unique addition of crushed toasted almonds.

Unless you live in the Florida Keys, key limes are near impossible to find. Furthermore, they're so tiny that you'd need to juice at least twenty of them for this recipe. No thank you! Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice.

There is a slight flavor difference between Persian limes and Key limes. But when baked into a dessert like Key lime blondies, it's hard to tell the difference. So if you can't find Key limes, go ahead and use Persian limes. You'll still wind up with a delicious summer pie.

In general, when substituting the lime and lemon juice mixture for Key lime juice, you should adjust the amount so it is 2 to 3 times less than the amount of Key lime called for in a recipe. In other words, if you need 3 tablespoons Key lime juice, you will use 1 to 2 tablespoons lime and lemon juice mixture.

The biggest culprit of a runny key lime pie is not letting it chill for long enough. Since this is one of those summer pie recipes that's not baked, chilling the pie helps it set and prevents it from being runny. Be sure to chill it for at least 12 hours!

Key lime pie ingredients

Ideally you'll want to use small key limes and juice them. Alternatively, use bottled key lime juice (yes, it exists for real!) or replace with regular limes up to ½ cup (120 ml) of juice. Condensed milk.

The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient, is probably because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s.

Key lime pie was invented in Key West, where Key limes are anything but scarce. Key limes are different from regular limes. Key limes are more aromatic, smaller, seedier and are more tart than regular limes. Key lime pie is the Sunshine State's official state pie.

How many days does key lime pie last? ›

Homemade Key Lime Pie: If you've prepared a homemade key lime pie, it will typically last around 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. The freshness and quality of the ingredients, as well as the hygiene of the preparation process, play a significant role in determining its shelf life.

Nearly every lime Americans eat comes from Mexico, but lime prices spiked almost $4 in early 2022, and stores had trouble keeping their shelves stocked. Droughts, extreme heat, and disease have hit farms across Mexico, making it hard to keep up. In very dry conditions, the lime skin is too smooth and may turn yellow.

Like most desserts, a traditional key lime pie is not particularly healthy. It's loaded with plenty of sugar and its key ingredient (besides lime) is cream.

Nothing will bring forward the bright, citrusy, natural flavors and acidity like fresh squeezed limes. However, bottled lime juice is certainly a convenient option. If you decide to go this route, make sure to choose a high-quality brand that is 100% lime juice with no added sweeteners or flavors.

Some use sour cream, cream cheese, or Greek yogurt instead of eggs or no eggs at all. Some bakers use a pastry crust instead of a graham cracker crust. A Key lime pie may be served plain or with toppings like: Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient, is probably because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s.

And in 2006, the Florida Legislature made Key lime the official state pie, a designation it will continue to keep. There are also lots and lots of places to buy the pie at in the Keys, too.

The dish is named after the small Key limes, which are more aromatic than the common Persian limes, and which have yellow juice.