This meticulously crafted Key Lime Pie recipe is elevated to new heights with a chewy (by no means crumbly!) coconut vanilla wafer crust and a wonderfully tart filling that’s wealthy, velvety, and by no means runny. Bonus, this recipe may be made 100% forward of time as a consequence of non-obligatory stabilized whipped cream AKA stress-free entertaining! Mannequin the excellence which have and fervour make with the proper Key Lime pie recipe full with methods, step-by-step photographs, and a discover ways to video.
The Finest Key Lime Pie Recipe
COCONUT CRUST. The coconut flakes not solely add a refined coconutty model (to not overwhelm the lime), nonetheless makes the crust irresistibly chewy and by no means crumbly.
ADJUSTABLE TANGINESS. Make the tanginess merely best for you by utilizing kind of lime zest. I’ve even included discover ways to change the filling after it’s made!
GORGEOUSLY THICK, CREAMY AND STABLE FILLING. The filling is thickened by egg yolks and cornstarch with an help from luxurious butter (as an alternative of sweetened condensed milk) to create a velvety custard-like filling that’s easy and common. The corporate nonetheless creamy texture holds its type correctly when sliced so it’s simpler to serve and luxuriate in.
NO KEY LIMES, NO PROBLEM! This recipe may also be made with bottled key lime juice and Persian lime zest.
BEAUTIFUL CLEAN SLICES. I’ve included methods for utilizing my favourite quiche pan (pictured) as an alternative of a regular pie pan for fairly presentation and simple slicing.
100% MAKE AHEAD FRIENDLY. The collection of stabilized whipped cream means the whipped cream topping may be added to the Key lime pie recipe at any diploma and will by no means weep or deflate, so all you can do is pull it out of the fridge to serve!
Finest Key Lime Pie ingredientsHomemade Key lime pie is comprised of three parts: 1) the crust, 2) the filling, and three) the whipped cream topping. Let’s analysis the substances and reply any questions you might have considered trying (measurements contained in the printable recipe card on the underside of the submit):
FOR THE Creamy Lemon Filling:
Key Lime Juice: Every juice about 15-18 key limes or use bottled Key lime juice akin to Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice (pictured) accessible at most grocery retailers or on Amazon.
Key lime zest: Use zest from key limes or Persian limes, nonetheless keep in mind Key lime zest is tarter.
Eggs: Egg yolks solely create a custard-like filling that’s thick, wealthy, and creamy. They yolks furthermore bind the substances collectively.
Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the balancing sweetness to the tart Key lime juice and zest. Chances are you’ll use kind of to mannequin.
Cornstarch: This 1) ensures the filling thickens appropriately and some) binds to the egg proteins and protects them from denaturing, serving to to forestall the filling from curdling whereas thickening.
Butter: This helps thicken the filling whereas it cools and makes it nice creamy, wealthy and decadent with a velvety mouthfeel, and refined buttery model. Use unsalted butter or scale back the salt contained in the recipe.
Heavy cream: Search for “heavy whipping cream” on the grocery retailer.
Bitter cream: Please use full fats for greatest outcomes. The bitter cream provides richness and physique to create a creamy, luscious, and velvety filling, and a pleasant stability of candy and tangy flavors.
Salt: A pinch of desk salt salt balances the flavors.
For the Crust:
Vanilla wafers: I take advantage of Nabisco Nilla Wafers. You need 45 wafer cookies. Chances are you’ll substitute with Graham crackers if desired (see variations).
Butter: Salted or unsalted butter will work contained in the crust.
Sugar: Granulated sugar, please!
FOR THE STABILIZED WHIPPED CREAM:
Keep in mind: It is potential you will omit the gelatin and water and make “commonplace,” whipped cream. Due to it is not stabilized, the pie should be served instantly as rapidly as added or it can deflate or weep. With stabilized whipped cream, nonetheless, the pie may be made a full day forward of time.
Heavy cream: Search for “heavy whipping cream” on the grocery retailer. You’ll have to make use of heavy cream – no fully completely different substitutions will work. Take care the cream may be very chilly, take away it from the fridge merely when able to make the most of.
Powdered sugar: That may be often known as confectioner’s sugar. This sweetens the home made whipped topping with out overpowering it and interacts with the gelatin bigger than granulated sugar.
Vanilla extract: Use high quality extract to spice up the flavour of the whipped topping.
Unflavored gelatin: It is a frequent baking ingredient positioned subsequent to the packages of Jell-O and pudding on the grocery retailer. It’s what makes this “stabilized” whipped cream and certainly not merely whipped cream. For vegetarians, use 1 teaspoon agar-agar as an alternative of gelatin.
Water: Chilly faucet water is used to dissolve the gelatin.
Easy methods to make Selfmade Key Lime PieLet’s take a additional in-depth take a look at discover ways to make Key lime pie with step-by-step photographs (full recipe contained in the printable recipe card on the underside of the submit):
Step 1: Make Crust. Add the vanilla wafers to a meals processor and course of into nice crumbs (or use a rolling pin). Add the shredded coconut, sugar and butter and pulse or stir to mix. Press the crumbs evenly up the sides and onto the underside of an ungreased 9-inch pie pan or quiche pan.
Step 2: Bake and Cool Crust. Bake the crust for 10 minutes then cool completely before filling.
Step 3: Mix Filling Components. In a small nonreactive small saucepan (stainless or enameled), whisk the egg yolks collectively. Add the lime juice, zest, sugar, cornstarch and salt and whisk till the cornstarch dissolves. Whisk contained in the heavy cream, then add the cubed butter.
Step 4: Thicken Filling. Flip warmth to medium (medium-low in case your range runs scorching) and put collectively dinner, stirring CONSTANTLY, guaranteeing to scrape the underside and sides of the pan. Prepare dinner dinner dinner till thickened to the consistency of pudding and the filling registers about 195-200°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Step 5: Add Bitter Cream. As rapidly as thickened, instantly take away from the warmth and alter to a big bowl. Let the filling cool to room temperature, then fold contained in the bitter cream.
Step 6: Chill. Pour filling into the cooled, baked pie shell. Cowl with plastic wrap pressed in opposition to the bottom of the filling and chill contained in the fridge for not less than 4 hours.
Step 7: Make Whipped Cream. Whisk collectively unflavored gelatin and water in a small microwave protected bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds, inside the meantime, add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to an enormous mixing bowl. Whip to simple peaks, then slowly pour contained in the gelatin and proceed to whip to stiff peaks.
Step 8: Beautify. Change the whipped cream to a piping bag and beautify as desired or unfold the cream over all the pie. The great thing about stabilized whipped cream is it can hold its type indefinitely. If utilizing widespread whipped cream, prime merely before serving.
Concepts for the making this Recipe for Key Lime Pie
Select your tanginess! Some individuals want their pies tangier than others. For additional tangy use 2 teaspoons zest, for barely milder, use 1 teaspoon. We at all times use 2 teaspoons at our home. Furthermore, keep in mind key lime zest is tangier than Persian lime zest, so that you could be want to make use of additional zest if utilizing Persian limes.
Key lime juice substitute: Key limes must be accessible at most grocery retailers, if not, search for Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice. Alternatively, use ½ cup lime juice + 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
Don’t overzest the limes: Zest is prized for its intense tart lemon model so long as you don’t take away the white membrane (pith) with it. Pith is the white spongy layer between the fruit and the peel, and it has a really bitter mannequin. Within the occasion you happen to zest the white pith, your filling may be tainted with a bitter aftertaste.
Use a non-reactive saucepan: Each time cooking with terribly acidic substances (like lime juice), it’s necessary to make the most of a nonreactive pan in each different case the acid contained in the meals can combine with the metallic and end in an disagreeable metallic mannequin and will damage the pan. Examples of nonreactive saucepans that don’t react with meals embrace stainless-steel, anodized aluminum, and enamel. Keep away from aluminum, unlined copper, and non-enameled iron.
Simmer till thick: You’ll know the filling is accomplished when it’s the consistency of pudding and registers 195-200°F on an instant-read thermometer. A thermometer is so useful for this and eliminates the entire guesswork!
Stir filling continuously: Stir continuously when cooking the filling till thickened. Whisking evenly distributes the warmth, in each different case, the eggs will scramble. Take care to whisk the sides, backside, and corners of the pan, the place the eggs can disguise.
Regulate to mannequin: Mannequin the filling after you’ve added the bitter cream. Add additional zest do you have to need it tangier – do NOT stir in additional lime juice on account of that may make the filling runny. For sweeter, use powdered sugar, not granulated.
Don’t neglect the crust corners: Run a spoon all through the “nook,” the place the sting and backside of the pan meet to assist compact the crumbs and make a rounded nook—this helps stop the crust from falling aside if you cut back slices (not a difficulty with a quiche pan!).
Use gelatin instantly: After the gelatin is dissolved, don’t wait too extended so as in order so as to add it to the whipped cream or it can thicken and set. If it has hardened, microwave it as quickly as additional for 10-20 seconds till liquidy.
Key Lime Pie REcipe variations
Graham Cracker Crust: Swap the vanilla wafers for 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets of graham crackers).
Retailer-Purchased Crust: Use one 9-inch baked pie shell or graham cracker shell from the grocery retailer.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free graham crackers or one completely different gluten-free crust or cookie. The remainder of the substances are gluten-free.
Use Fully completely different Citrus: Experiment with fully completely different bitter citrus fruits akin to grapefruit or lemon. Or, combine completely fully completely different citrus zests into the filling to infuse it with complementary flavors.
Raspberry Lime: Cowl the perfect of the pie with raspberries, or add a raspberry jam swirl or a layer of raspberry jam/filling before along with the lime filling. See my Chocolate Raspberry Cake for handmade raspberry jam.
Further Whipped Topping: Make the recipe as written, nonetheless as an alternative of piping on the whipped cream, cowl the pie with whipped cream, leaving about 1/2-inch open border.
Coconut Whipped Cream Topping: Add ½ teaspoon coconut extract when making the whipped cream.
Meringue Topping: Extreme the filling with a fluffy meringue produced from whipped egg whites and sugar. See my lemon meringue pie recipe for precisely discover ways to make it.
Lime Tart: Within the discount of the crust to make a tart shell and scale back the filling substances by utilizing the sliding scale subsequent to the servings contained in the recipe card.
Easy methods to serve Commonplace key lime pieKey lime pie must be chilled for not less than 4 hours before serving. The only resolution to cut the pie is comparable methodology as slicing cheesecake: Dip a pointy knife in scorching water (this usually is a scorching glass of water, or run it beneath piping scorching water for fairly just a few seconds). Wipe the knife dry, then gently slice through the perfect layer, then press down firmly to chop through the crust. Repeat dipping the knife in scorching water and drying between each slice.
Commonplace Key Lime Pie Recipe FAQs
The place did Key Lime Pie originate? Key Lime Pie originated contained in the Florida Keys, a coral cay archipelago positioned off the southern coast of Florida. The pie was created contained in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, when refrigeration was not frequent contained in the area. Native substances, notably the small, fragrant Key limes that develop inside the realm, had been used to make this tart and creamy dessert. Condensed milk, which doesn’t require refrigeration, turned a staple ingredient, permitting the pie to set with out baking. Can you take advantage of widespread limes in Key Lime Pie? Optimistic, it is important use widespread limes in Key Lime Pie if Key limes aren’t accessible. Whereas Key limes have a selected, additional fragrant model and a better acidity as in contrast with widespread Persian limes, substituting with widespread limes and significantly lemon juice will nonetheless yield a scrumptious pie. To approximate the distinctive mannequin of Key limes, use 3 parts widespread lime juice and 1 half lemon juice. How do you thicken key lime pie filling? Commonplace Key lime pie filling is thickened by egg yolks, cornstarch and chilling. The egg yolks, are blended with heavy cream, sugar, cornstarch, butter and Key lime juice. The acid contained in the lime juice reacts with the proteins contained in the egg yolks and cream, thickening the combination on account of it cooks on the range. The warmth prompts the thickening properties of cornstarch. Cooling the filling permits the filling to set. How extended does Key Lime Pie closing? Not extended at our home! Key lime pie may be refrigerated for as lots as 4 days or frozen for as lots as 2 months. How do you retain key lime pie from getting soggy? To stop Key lime pie from getting soggy, likelihood is you will take fairly just a few steps:1. Blind Bake the Crust: Pre-bake the pie crust before along with the filling. This creates a barrier between the crust and the filling, serving to to maintain up it crisp.2. Thicken the Filling: Make it potential for the filling is appropriately thickened with cornstarch to the consistency of pudding. This helps to soak up additional moisture and forestall the crust from turning into soggy.3. Chill: Enable the pie to settle down for not less than 4 hours before slicing and serving. Lowering into the pie whereas it’s nonetheless heat can launch steam, which might make the crust soggy.4. Refrigerate: Retailer any leftover pie contained in the fridge to assist shield its texture and forestall sogginess. What makes key lime pie filling runny? Key lime pie filling can develop to be runny if it’s not cooked extended ample, or if it’s not thickened appropriately with a starch like cornstarch or flour. Take care to make the most of all the cornstarch contained in the recipe and put collectively dinner till the feel resembles pudding, about 190-200 ranges F on an instant-read thermometer. Does Key Lime pie must be refrigerated? Optimistic, Key lime pie must be refrigerated on account of the pie filling incorporates perishable substances like eggs and dairy. Refrigeration helps shield the pie’s freshness and prevents bacterial progress, guaranteeing it stays safe to eat for longer. Moreover, refrigeration helps defend the feel of the pie, defending the filling firm and the crust crisp. How do I restore the most common factors in Key Lime Pie recipes? 1. Runny Filling: The filling could not set appropriately if the filling merely just isn’t cooked extended ample or the pie merely just isn’t chilled sufficiently. Prepare dinner dinner dinner the filling to 195 ranges F and chill the pie for not less than 4 hours for an beautiful and common filling. 2. Overly Candy or Too Tart: Reaching the perfect stability between sweetness and tartness may be highly effective. Utilizing the right amount of Key lime juice and sugar often known as for contained in the recipe, then add additional zest or powdered sugar to mannequin before chilling the filling. 3. Crumbly Crust: A typical graham cracker crust can normally be too crumbly if not ample butter is used to bind it. Along with shredded coconut to the crust resolves this instance, guaranteeing it’s chewy and by no means crumbly. Moreover, urgent the crust firmly into the pie dish and baking it barely will assist it hold collectively bigger.4. Bitter Mannequin: Utilizing the pith of limes when zesting might make the pie mannequin bitter. To zest limes with out getting the bitter pith, use a microplane grater, apply delicate stress, rotate the lime at all times, and use quick strokes. This method helps take away solely the outer layer whereas avoiding the white pith.
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COCONUT VANILLA WAFER CRUST (OR STORE-BOUGHT)45 vanilla wafers (I take advantage of Nabisco Nilla Wafers) (1 ½ cups crumbs)1 cup sweetened shredded coconut (non-obligatory)2 tablespoons granulated sugar6 tablespoons butter, meltedKEY LIME FILLING4 egg yolks2/3 cup Key lime juice (see Notes)1-2 teaspoons Key lime zest (see Notes)1 1/4 cups granulated sugar1/4 cup cornstarch1/8 teaspoon salt1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed1 1/4 cups full-fat bitter creamSTABILIZED WHIPPED CREAM 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin1 1/2 tablespoons water1 cup chilly heavy cream3 tablespoons powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractGARNISHThinly sliced key limes (non-obligatory)Strawberries or raspberries (non-obligatory)
Preheat the oven to 350 ranges F.Add the vanilla wafers to a meals processor and course of them into nice crumbs (or use a rolling pin). Add the coconut, sugar, and butter and pulse or stir to mix.Press the crumbs evenly up the sides and onto the underside of an ungreased 9-inch pie pan or quiche pan. If utilizing a quiche pan (pictured), solely press 1 ½ – 1 ¾ inches up the sides (on account of it is deeper than a pie pan).Bake the crust at 350 ranges F for 8-10 minutes, till flippantly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack before along with the filling (about 1 hour).FILLINGWhisk the egg yolks collectively in a small nonreactive saucepan (stainless or enamel). Add the Key lime juice, zest, sugar, cornstarch, and salt and whisk till the cornstarch dissolves. Whisk contained in the heavy cream, then add the cubed butter.Flip the warmth to medium (medium-low in case your range runs scorching) and put collectively dinner, stirring CONSTANTLY, guaranteeing to scrape the underside and sides of the pan. Prepare dinner dinner dinner till the filling thickens to the consistency of pudding and registers about 195-200°F on an instant-read thermometer. (Don’t cease whisking, even whereas taking the temperature.)As rapidly as thickened, instantly take away the filling from the warmth and alter to an enormous bowl. Let cool to room temperature, then fold contained in the bitter cream. Mannequin and add additional lime zest for tangier or powdered sugar for sweeter if desired.Pour the filling into the cooled, baked pie shell. Cowl with plastic wrap pressed in opposition to the bottom of the filling (don’t be concerned about “ruining” the aesthetics of the perfect, likelihood is you will make it fairly after chilling). Chill contained in the fridge for not less than 4 hours, as lots as 2 days. WHIPPED CREAMYou might add the stabilized whipped cream at any diploma whereas the pie is chilling and return to the fridge (tented with foil) or skip the gelatin/water and add the whipped cream merely before serving.Add the unflavored gelatin to a small microwave-safe bowl, then whisk contained in the chilly water with a fork. Let stand for five minutes, then microwave for 20 seconds. Stir the combination, then put aside for those who instantly start to beat the heavy cream.Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to an enormous mixing bowl. Whip utilizing {{an electrical}} hand mixer merely till simple peaks type (the peaks flop over when the beaters are lifted.)Flip the mixer to low and slowly pour contained in the gelatin combination. Combine till mixed, then enhance the speed to medium and proceed mixing till stiff peaks type (peaks stand straight up when the beaters are lifted).Change the whipped cream to a piping bag and beautify as desired (serve additional on the side) OR unfold evenly over all the pie. The great thing about stabilized whipped cream is it can hold its type indefinitely and by no means weep. If utilizing widespread whipped cream, prime merely before serving.TO SERVEAdd the lime slices merely before serving (if utilizing) so they do not weep.Run a knife beneath scorching water, or fill an enormous glass with scorching water, and dip the knife contained in the scorching water before every cut back. Wipe the knife clear with a towel after every cut back, then repeat.
See the submit for additional detailed methods, solutions, variations, and step-by-step photographs.
Quiche Pan: A quiche pan with a detachable backside is the necessary factor to a cleanly sliced pie with out a crumbled crust – it’s an entire game-changer! I take advantage of this 9-inch quiche pan in all of my pie recipes. In any case, this recipe furthermore works with a regular pie dish.
Key Lime Juice: Every juice about 15-18 key limes or use bottled Key lime juice akin to Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice (pictured) accessible at most grocery retailers or on Amazon.
Key lime zest: Chances are you’ll use zest from key limes or Persian limes. Keep in mind key lime zest is tangier than Persian lime zest, so that you could be want to start out with 2 teaspoons zest if utilizing Persian limes.
Select your tanginess! Some individuals want their pies tangier than others. For additional tangy use 2 teaspoons zest, for barely milder, use 1 teaspoon. We at all times use 2 teaspoons at our home.
Use gelatin instantly in whipped cream: After the gelatin is dissolved, don’t wait too extended so as in order so as to add it to the whipped cream or it can thicken and set. If it has hardened, microwave it as quickly as additional for 10-20 seconds till liquidy.
Use gelatin instantly: After the gelatin is dissolved, don’t wait too extended so as in order so as to add it to the whipped cream or it can thicken and set. If it has hardened, microwave it as quickly as additional for 10-20 seconds till liquidy.
Retailer-bought Crust: Chances are you’ll use one 9-inch baked pie shell or graham cracker shell from the grocery retailer.
Graham Cracker Crust: Swap the vanilla wafers for 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 12 full sheets of graham crackers).
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free graham crackers or one completely different gluten-free crust or cookie. The remainder of the substances are gluten-free.
Storage: Tent with foil and seal all by means of the sides, or retailer in a cake caddy/container. Refrigerate the pie for as lots as 3-4 days. Freeze for additional long-term storage (directions beneath).
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