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Recipe

Classic Key Lime Pie

Scott Phillips

Servings:8

This classic pie includes a flaky pastry crust, billowy whipped-cream topping, and of course a silky, aromatic sweet-tart custard filling. If you can’t find fresh Key limes, you can substitute common lime juice, which will be tart but without the floral notes found in Key limes. Bottled Key lime juice is an even better choice as long as it’s 100% juice. The pie needs to chill for at least 5 hours before serving.

Ingredients

For the crust

  • 4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour; more as needed
  • 1-1/3 oz. (1/3 cup) cake flour
  • 1茶匙。granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. table salt
  • 4 oz. (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
  • 1/4 cup ice-cold water
  • 1茶匙。苹果醋

For the filling and topping

  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup fresh Key lime juice (from 14 to 16 limes) or bottled Key lime juice (preferably Manhattan brand)
  • 1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
  • 1 oz. (1/4 cup) confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Nutritional Information

  • Calories (kcal) : 520
  • Fat Calories (kcal): 300
  • Fat (g): 34
  • Saturated Fat (g): 20
  • Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1.5
  • Monounsaturated Fat (g): 10
  • Cholesterol (mg): 200
  • Sodium (mg): 150
  • Carbohydrates (g): 48
  • Fiber (g): 1
  • Protein (g): 8

Preparation

Make the crust

  • In a food processor, pulse the flours, sugar, and salt to combine. Add the butter and begin cutting it into smaller pieces with four 1-second pulses.
  • In a small bowl, combine the water and vinegar. While pulsing, gradually add the liquid in a thin stream through the feed tube until the dough forms several large clumps, 20 to 30 pulses. The butter should still be visible in small pieces.
  • Gather and press the dough into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Dust a work surface and both sides of the dough lightly with flour. Flatten the dough slightly by tapping it all over with a rolling pin, then roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Try to make the circle as even as possible, but don’t be concerned about rough edges.
  • Roll the dough around the rolling pin and carefully unroll over a 9-inch glass or metal pie plate. Gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of the pan without stretching it. With scissors, trim the overhanging dough to 1/2 inch beyond the rim of the plate. Fold the overhang under and crimp decoratively. Wrap the crust in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F.
  • Line the crust with aluminum foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Put the crust on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the edge is firm and pale golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and beans. Prick the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Continue baking until golden-brown, 8 to 12 minutes. (If the pastry puffs up, gently prick it with a toothpick.) Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Fill and bake the pie

  • Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
  • In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk the egg yolks by hand until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Gently whisk in the sweetened condensed milk until combined, then whisk in the lime juice; the filling will thicken just a bit. Scrape the filling into the crust and spread it evenly.
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet for 20 minutes—the filling will be only partially set. Cool to room temperature on a rack, then refrigerate until the filling is completely set, at least 5 hours.

Top the pie

  • Chill a metal bowl and the beater(s) of an electric mixer. In the chilled bowl, combine the cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed to firm peaks. Spoon the cream over the filling, swirling it attractively. Slice and serve.

Make Ahead Tips

The dough can be made up to 24 hours ahead of shaping. Refrigerate, wrapped in plastic.

The crust can be shaped up to 24 hours ahead of baking. Refrigerate, wrapped in plastic.

You can fill, bake and chill the pie (but don’t top with whipped cream) up to 1 day ahead; if refrigerating for more than 5 hours, cover the pie with plastic wrap. Top the pie when you’re ready to serve.

Reviews

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Reviews (9 reviews)

  • user-3164399| 09/01/2019

    Ive made this several times, and its always great. Most tedious part is juicing the key limes, but to worth it in the end. In a time pinch, I made this with a ready-made graham cracker crust, and it was fabulous! But so is pastry crust if you ha e time to make it.

  • user-425114| 09/02/2018

    Yes, I’m a Florida girl, too, and this is indeed the classic recipe. I was appalled when restaurants down here began serving it exclusively in graham cracker crust. Originally, it was pastry, and that’s the way it should be. Otherwise, all the subtlety of the real Key lime juice in the filling is sacrificed to the overpowering flavor of graham crackers.

  • Glaciermom| 05/19/2014

    I made this last yearwhen the recipe was published. I did use a Graham cracker crust, and wished I had gone with a pastry crust. I forgot where the recipe originated. Greg Patent lives in Missoula, Mt, and I spent hours today combing saved recipes from him before finding it. The recipe is so good, it was worth the time and effort to find it! It is a real pain to juice fresh Key limes, but once that is accomplished, the pie is very quick and easy to make. And totally delicious!

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