Key Lime Pie Recipes

Key Lime Pie Recipes

Key Lime Pie Recipes — Two vintage favorites from community cookbooks: a classic baked Key Lime Pie with meringue topping and a simple original condensed milk version.

Recipes on this page

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🍋 Classic Key Lime Pie with Meringue

A sophisticated take on the Florida classic. This recipe features a rich, tangy lime filling lightened with folded egg white, all crowned with a fluffy, toasted golden meringue.

🍳 Equipment: 9-inch Pie Shell 🔥 Oven: 350°F

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs (yolks for filling, whites for meringue)
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup lime juice (preferably key lime)
  • 6 tbsp sugar
  • ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 baked 9-inch pie shell

Preparation Instructions

  1. Base: Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat 4 egg yolks until thick. Add condensed milk and lime juice; beat until mixture thickens.
  2. Fold: Beat 1 egg white until stiff, then gently fold it into the filling. Pour into the pie shell.
  3. Meringue: Beat the remaining 3 egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
  4. Bake: Spread meringue over filling, sealing to the crust edges. Bake until the meringue is golden brown.

🥧 Original Key Lime Pie

The quintessential, no-fuss Key Lime Pie. This three-ingredient filling is simple, smooth, and lets the tartness of the key limes truly shine.

🍳 Equipment: 8-inch Pie Shell

Ingredients

  • 1 large can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 egg yolks, beaten
  • ⅓ cup lime juice (preferably key lime)
  • 1 baked 8-inch pie shell
  • 2 egg whites (optional for meringue)

Preparation Instructions

  1. Mix: Blend condensed milk into the beaten egg yolks.
  2. Thicken: Slowly stir in the lime juice until the mixture thickens.
  3. Set: Pour into the cooled baked pie shell. Top with optional meringue made from the egg whites, or chill until set and serve plain.

FAQ

What makes Key Lime Pie different from regular lime pie?

Traditional Key Lime Pie uses key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk, giving it a sharper, more aromatic citrus flavor.

Do I have to use key limes?

Key limes are traditional, but bottled key lime juice or regular Persian limes also work well.

Is one recipe baked and the other no-bake?

Yes. The first version is baked with meringue topping. The original condensed milk version sets in the refrigerator without additional baking (except for the crust).

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