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Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe
Everyone has a favorite dessert from a restaurant and no one can usually make it at home and exceed that food memory.My husband is a traveler and a foodie. He eats key lime pie wherever he goes and believes he knows what an authentic key lime recipe should taste like.
I’ve tried my best to recreate a recipe for an authentic key lime pie, one that hasthe brightness and intensity oflimes, the heavenly texturesof a thick lime creampaired withan airy light whipped cream and a flavorful, crunchy crust.
How’s that for a classic dessert?
I have over 1200 recipes and I want you to know that I fret about them being right for you. It’s my desire for you to have a great experience in your kitchen.
So as we argued about texture, I remade the pie, and even came up with a gluten free crust as an option. I’m eating gluten free now, which is not easy, and hope to be bringing you more delicious gluten free dishes, and a post on why I’m doing this. It has nothing to do with trends, but is a health matter.
On my second go round I thought to myself, why can’t everyone be happy? I can make small tarts and vary the crust between traditional graham crackers and an almond flour gluten free option.
The first key lime pie was just a little too thick, so I added more lime juice. I also used a mixture of key limes and Persian limes. If you have a choice between the two, however, I would just go with regular limes because otherwise you will need 25-30 key limes.
Key limes aren’t juicy enough, but they are more tart and that’s what an authentic key lime pie recipe has to have. It has to be tart, but the tartness will beoffset by the sweetened condensed milk and the combination is creamy heaven.
Have you ever wondered what sweetened condensed milk is? It’s milk and sugar with the water evaporated out so it’s sticky, rich and whatever you do, do not look at the calorie count.
How to Top the Key Lime Pie
You could top your key lime pie with meringue like Southern Fatty did, or go with my preferred method, and top it with astabilized whipped cream.
The whipped cream can be applied and refrigerated and it will look just as good two days later.I show you how to do that in this video. You can also freeze the pie or small tarts before applying whipped cream. Take out 20 minutes prior to serving. They will taste just as good.
Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe with a Gluten Free Option
Let me know if you make this authentic key lime pie recipe and if you like whipped cream or meringue?
Let’s connect on instagram and if you make any of my recipes I’d love for you to tag me at #spinachtiger.
Print Recipe
4.47 from 13 votes
Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe with Gluten Free Option
Authentic Key Lime Pie Recipe with a gluten free option, using both key limes and limes and a stabilized whipped cream.
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Angela Roberts
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 1/4 cups graham crackers
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
Gluten Free Crust
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar optional
Key lime pie filling
- 3 large limes
- 8 key limes see notes
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 1 can 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 4 large egg yolks room temperature
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese softened room temperature
- dash vanilla
Instructions
Graham Cracker Crust
Put graham crackers into a food processor until you have crumbs.
Melt butter in microwave for 30 seconds in glass dish.
Mix together, press into a pie or tart pan. If using a tart pan, first layer the bottom with oil or butter or a cooking spray and use a sheet of parchment paper. Butter the paper (or spray) before adding crumbs.
Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
Almond Crust
Combine almond flour with butter, and using same instructions for graham crackers, press iinto pie pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Filling
Wash limes. Rinse. Zest to get 1 tablespoon of lime zest.
Juice limes to get 1/2 cup lime juice plus 2 tablespoons.
Beat egg yolks with mixer until golden and creamy.
Add in lime juice, sweetened condensed milk and lime zest.
Mix until well incorporated.
Pour into prepared pans.
This recipe will make one large pie or tart (9 inches) or 4-6 smaller tarts depending on size of your tart pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Center should not jiggle.
Cool completely. Refrigerate overnight.
Apply Whipped topping before serving. If you stabilize whipped cream, you can apply whipped cream and put back into refrigerator for several hours to two days.
Whipped Cream
Mix cream, cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, vanilla together for five minutes until stiff.
Notes
Lime Juice: You will want 1/2 cup plus two tablespoons. Key limes give very little juice, so you'll need 25 or more. I mixed key limes with Persian limes, which are much juicier.
Almond Crust: Some recipes call for adding an egg. I did not do that for this type of pie.
Please follow me oninstagram. If you make this recipe, please tag me #spinachtiger.
If you love this recipe,please give it five stars. It means a lot. xoxo
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