Award Winning Kermit's Key Lime Pie Recipe (Copycat) (2024)

If you’re looking for an award winning Key Lime pie recipe, look no further! Our copycat Kermit’s Key Lime Pie is always the perfect Summer dessert and prize-winning!

Florida is known for their traditional key lime pie recipe, and Kermit’s Key Lime Pie recipe is so easy to make! All you need is 4 ingredients and 30 minutes for this decadent and refreshing dessert! You’ll love this local favorite iconic dessert.

What Is Key Lime Pie?

An authentic Key Lime Pie recipe is a creamy, American dessert. The filling is made from Key lime juice, sweetened condensed dairy, and egg yolks, and it’s served in a graham cracker crust. The pie is topped with whipped cream or meringue.

Origin of Key Lime Pie

The origin of Key Lime pie dates back to the 1800s in the Florida Keys. Millionaire William Curry (aka Rich Bill), a ship salvager, had a cook named Aunt Sally. She is believed to have created the pie based off a lemon ice box pie recipe.

What is the most famous key lime pie?

Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe is the most famous Key Lime Pie. The key lime bakery and shop has been featured on The Today Show, Food Network, and many other top media channels. Currently, Kermit serves 200 key lime pies a day!

Where is Kermit’s Key Lime Pie?

Kermit’s Key Lime Shoppe is in Key West, Florida. Their production facility and main kitchen is in DeLand, Fl.

What is the difference between Key Limes and regular limes?

Key limes are smaller and more tart than regular limes. You’ll want to use key limes, Mexican Limes, or key lime juice for your pie versus regular limes or lime juice.

We couldn’t find Kermit’s Key Lime juice at our local grocery store, so we ordered it from Goldbelly. While it’s more than brands at grocery stores, it lasts forever, and it’s worth using real key lime juice.

Can I use regular limes in place of Key Limes?

Since key limes are more tart and more aromatic than regular limes, it’s best to use key limes or key lime juice.

How do you make an award winning Key West key lime pie from scratch?

Making an award winning Key Lime pie is easier than you think. You can make a graham cracker crust in just minutes and the filling is also very easy to whip together.

What is in Key Lime Pie Filling?

Our Copycat Kermit’s Key Lime Pie filling uses just 3 ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and Kermit’s key lime juice.

Ingredients for Award Winning Copycat Kermit Key Lime Pie Recipe

For the Key Lime Filling:

• 2 Cans of Borden’s Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 6 Egg Yolks, room temperature (no egg whites)
• 1/2 Cup Kermit’s Key Lime Juice (or fresh key lime juice) *I add in 1/2 Cup and 2 Tbsp*

If you’re making a homemade crust, you’ll need:

• 1½ cups of graham cracker crumbs (about 13 whole graham crackers)
• ⅓ cuppacked light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoonsunsalted butter, melted

You could also use a store-bought crust.

For Whipped Cream:

• 1 cupcold heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoonsconfectioners’ sugar

Note: You can also make this easy key lime pie recipe by using store-bought a graham cracker crust pie shell and topping it with Reddi Whip.

How to Make Kermit’s Award Winning Key Lime Pie:

For a Homemade Graham Cracker Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F and set an oven rack in the middle position.
2. You can crush the graham crackers either by placing them in the plastic bag and crushing them with a rolling pin or with a food processor.
3. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Start by mixing with a fork, and then use your hands until the mixture is combined through.
4. Using your hands and a bottom of a glass, press the mixture firmly into the sides and bottom of your 9″ x 1.5″ inch deep pie pan. The crust should be about 1/4″ thick.
5. Bake for 10 minutes or until slightly browned.
6. Let the crust cool on a wire rack.

For the Filling:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
2. Gently whisk the 6 egg yolks (just barely) in a medium bowl.
3. Combine the egg yolks with the sweetened condensed milk. (This mixture should be thin).
4. Whisk or mix the mixture on low while adding in juice. The mixture will get thicker in a minute or two because of a chemical reaction between the juice and dairy.
5. Place the filling into the crust.
6. Cook the pie for 15 minutes.
7. Let cool.

The Topping:

After the pie is chilled, top with whipped cream. (You can do with a piping bag, a dollop with a spoon, or Reddi Whip).

If you choose to make your own whipped cream topping instead of Reddi Whip, you’ll want to pipe the whipped cream onto the top of the pie once it’s chilled.

To Make Whipped Cream

1. In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until the cream makes soft peaks. (You could also use a stand mixer with the whisk attachment).
2. Then, mix in the confectioners’ sugar and beat until you can see stiff peaks.
3. Once the pie is cooled, you can decorate with the whipped cream topping.
4. You can also top this amazing key lime pie with key lime zest, thinly sliced lime wedges, lime gummies, or even white chocolate shavings if you want.

Tips an Award Winning Key Lime Pie:

• We recommend only Borden’s sweetened condensed milk versus other brands. It makes such a creamy key lime pie everytime!
• I add 2 tablespoons of key lime juice to the original 1/2 cup suggestion.
• Allow the pie to chill for at least 3 hours.
• If possible, we put our pie on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator because it’s the coldest spot!
• Add your whip cream after the pie is cooled, right before you serve it to make it look it’s best!
• For a flawless presentation, don’t cover the pie with plastic wrap. Instead, use a domed cover or aluminum foil.
• If you make your graham cracker crust from scratch, a food processor can be helpful in getting the crackers really fine. We also use melted butter versus margarine for the crust.
• You’ll also want a nice pie plate with cover if you make your pie from scratch.

Can you freeze key lime pie?

You can freeze a key lime pie in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, let the pie thaw at room temperature for 10-20 minutes before serving. You can freeze whole pies or a few slices at a time.

How long does key lime pie last?

Key lime pie lasts about 3 to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. After 3 days, you will need to freeze any leftovers.

How to Store Left Over Key Lime Pie

We recommend storing key lime pie in the fridge in a domed covered pie plate. This will keep the pie fresh for 3-4 days.

Final Notes on Our Award Winning Key Lime Pie

Whether you’re in a pinch and use the store bought crust and Reddi Whip or take the extra steps to make the topping and crust, the filling makes this the best key lime pie north of the Florida Key’s!

We hope you enjoy our Copycat Kermit’s Key Lime Pie recipe! It’s always a crowd pleaser during the Summer months!

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