Best Key Lime Pie
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Best Key Lime Pie
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This meticulously crafted Key Lime Pie recipe is elevated to new heights with a chewy (never crumbly!) coconut vanilla wafer crust and a perfectly tart filling that’s rich, velvety, and never runny. Bonus, this recipe can be made 100% ahead of time thanks to optional stabilized whipped cream AKA stress-free entertaining! Taste the difference that expertise and passion make with the best Key Lime pie recipe complete with tips, step-by-step photos, and a how to video.
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Ingredients
COCONUT VANILLA WAFER CRUST (OR STORE-BOUGHT)
- 45 vanilla wafers (I use Nabisco Nilla Wafers) (1 ½ cups crumbs)
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut (optional)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons Butter, melted
KEY LIME FILLING
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup key lime juice (see Notes)
- 1-2 teaspoons key lime zest (see Notes)
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups half and half
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 1/4 cups full-fat sour cream
STABILIZED WHIPPED CREAM
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
GARNISH
- Thinly sliced key limes (optional)
- strawberries or raspberries (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the vanilla wafers to a food processor and process them into fine crumbs (or use a rolling pin). Add the coconut, sugar, and butter and pulse or stir to combine.
- Press the crumbs evenly up the sides and onto the bottom of an ungreased 9-inch pie pan or quiche pan. If using a quiche pan (pictured), only press 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 inches up the sides (because it's deeper than a pie pan).
- Bake the crust at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, until lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling (about 1 hour).
FILLING
- Whisk the egg yolks together in a small nonreactive saucepan (stainless or enamel). Add the Key lime juice, zest, sugar, cornstarch, and salt and whisk until the cornstarch dissolves. Whisk in the half and half then add the cubed butter.
- Turn the heat to medium (medium-low if your stove runs hot) and cook, stirring CONSTANTLY, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan. Cook until the filling thickens to the consistency of pudding and registers about 195-200°F on an instant-read thermometer. (Don’t stop whisking, even while taking the temperature.)
- Once thickened, immediately remove the filling from the heat and transfer to a large bowl. Let cool to room temperature, then fold in the sour cream. Taste and add additional lime zest for tangier or powdered sugar for sweeter if desired.
- Pour the filling into the cooled, baked pie shell. Cover with plastic wrap pressed against the surface of the filling (don't worry about "ruining" the aesthetics of the top, you can make it pretty after chilling). Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, up to 2 days.
WHIPPED CREAM
- You may add the stabilized whipped cream at any point while the pie is chilling and return to the fridge (tented with foil) or skip the gelatin/water and add the whipped cream just before serving.
- Add the unflavored gelatin to a small microwave-safe bowl, then whisk in the cold water with a fork. Let stand for 5 minutes, then microwave for 20 seconds. Stir the mixture, then set aside while you immediately begin to beat the heavy cream.
- Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl. Whip using an electric hand mixer just until soft peaks form (the peaks flop over when the beaters are lifted.)
- Turn the mixer to low and slowly pour in the gelatin mixture. Mix until combined, then increase the speed to medium and continue mixing until stiff peaks form (peaks stand straight up when the beaters are lifted).
- Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag and decorate as desired (serve extra on the side) OR spread evenly over the entire pie. The beauty of stabilized whipped cream is it will hold its shape indefinitely and never weep. If using regular whipped cream, top just before serving.
TO SERVE
- Add the lime slices just before serving (if using) so they don't weep.
- Run a knife under hot water, or fill a large glass with hot water, and dip the knife in the hot water before each cut. Wipe the knife clean with a towel after each cut, then repeat.
Notes
- Key lime zest: You may use zest from key limes or Persian limes. Note key lime zest is tangier than Persian lime zest, so you may wish to start with 2 teaspoons zest if using Persian limes.
- Choose your tanginess! Some people prefer their pies tangier than others. For extra tangy use 2 teaspoons zest, for slightly milder, use 1 teaspoon. We always use 2 teaspoons at our house.
- After the gelatin is dissolved, don’t wait too long to add it to the whipped cream or it will thicken and set. If it has hardened, microwave it again for 10-20 seconds until liquidy.
- 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 another gluten-free crust or cookie. The rest of the ingredients are gluten-free.
- See the post for more detailed tips, tricks, variations, and step-by-step photos.
- Quiche Pan: A quiche pan with a removable bottom is the secret to a cleanly sliced pie without a crumbled crust - it's a total game-changer! I use this 9-inch quiche pan in all of my pie recipes. Of course, this recipe also works with a traditional pie dish.
- Key Lime Juice: Either juice about 15-18 key limes or use bottled Key lime juice such as Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice (pictured) available at most grocery stores or on Amazon.
- Key lime zest: You may use zest from key limes or Persian limes. Note key lime zest is tangier than Persian lime zest, so you may wish to start with 2 teaspoons zest if using Persian limes.
- Choose your tanginess! Some people prefer their pies tangier than others. For extra tangy use 2 teaspoons zest, for slightly milder, use 1 teaspoon. We always use 2 teaspoons at our house.
- Use gelatin right away in whipped cream: After the gelatin is dissolved, don’t wait too long to add it to the whipped cream or it will thicken and set. If it has hardened, microwave it again for 10-20 seconds until liquidy.
- Use gelatin right away: After the gelatin is dissolved, don’t wait too long to add it to the whipped cream or it will thicken and set. If it has hardened, microwave it again for 10-20 seconds until liquidy.
- Store-bought Crust: You may use one 9-inch baked pie shell or graham cracker shell from the grocery store.
- 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 another gluten-free crust or cookie. The rest of the ingredients are gluten-free.
- Storage: Tent with foil and seal all around the edges, or store in a cake caddy/container. Refrigerate the pie for up to 3-4 days. Freeze for more long-term storage (instructions below).
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