Easy Alton Brown Key Lime Pie Recipe: Zesty Summer Joy

Key lime pie embodies a tangy tropical dessert that captures summer’s essence with its vibrant, zesty profile.

Creamy and bright, this classic treats your palate to an explosion of refreshing citrus notes.

Brown’s distinctive approach transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable culinary experience that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between sharp lime intensity and smooth, sweet undertones.

The pie signature graham cracker crust provides a delightful crunch that complements its silky filling.

Crafted with precision and passion, this dessert represents a masterful blend of textures and flavors that dance across your taste buds.

You’ll fall in love with its irresistible combination of tartness and sweetness: dive into this delectable creation now!

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie

• Zap Zest Quickly: Grate lime peel moments before mixing to lock in vibrant citrus oils.
• Crush Carefully: Use the bottom of a measuring cup to compact graham cracker crumbs evenly and prevent crumbly edges.
• Whip Wisely: Stop beating cream when gentle waves form for a cloud-like, airy topping that holds its shape.
• Slice Smoothly: Dip your knife in hot water and wipe dry between each cut to create flawless, clean pie slices.
• Chill Completely: Refrigerate pie for minimum three hours, allowing flavors to meld and filling to set perfectly.

How to Keep Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie Fresh

• Container Sealing: Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and absorb other refrigerator odors. This method preserves the pie's creamy texture and prevents it from drying out.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the key lime pie in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent. Place the pie away from strong-smelling foods to maintain its delicate lime flavor.
• Freezing Technique: Slice the pie before freezing for easier portioning later. Individually wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal taste for up to 3 months.

Delicious Variations on Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie

• Tropical Paradise Pie: Replace key lime juice with passion fruit juice and add toasted coconut flakes to the graham cracker crust for a vibrant Caribbean-inspired version.
• Greek Yogurt Lean Pie: Swap full-fat yogurt with nonfat Greek yogurt and use honey instead of condensed milk for a lighter, protein-packed dessert option.
• Mexican Chili Lime Pie: Incorporate a pinch of chili powder into the filling and sprinkle tajín seasoning on the whipped cream topping for a spicy-tangy kick.
• Vegan Coconut Lime Pie: Use coconut cream instead of yogurt, swap condensed milk with sweetened coconut condensed milk, and create a coconut oil-based crust with crushed vegan graham crackers.

A Tangy, Sweet Sensation with Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie from Alton Brown emerges as pure culinary magic, blending tangy lime notes with creamy richness and buttery graham cracker crust.

Southern charm meets tropical delight in this classic dessert, promising a sensational taste experience that whisks palates to coastal paradise.

Precise ingredients and careful technique guarantee spectacular results for home bakers seeking restaurant-quality desserts.

Lime’s zesty personality dances through each silky bite, creating memorable moments around family tables.

Passionate bakers can master this recipe with confidence, transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary treats.

Slice, share, and savor – your pie adventure begins now: click heart, comment below, spread deliciousness with friends!

What Makes Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie a Perfect Balance of Tart and Sweet

• Deliver Tropical Tangy Flavor: This key lime pie bursts with zesty, bright lime notes that transport your taste buds to a sunny Florida beach, creating an instant tropical escape with every creamy bite.
• Craft a Foolproof Dessert Masterpiece: The recipe offers simple steps that even novice bakers can follow, ensuring a professional-looking dessert without requiring advanced culinary skills or complicated techniques.
• Create a Perfectly Balanced Texture Symphony: Experience a delightful contrast between the crisp, buttery graham cracker crust and the smooth, silky filling, topped with light and airy whipped cream that melts in your mouth.
• Prepare a Make-Ahead Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert can be completely prepared in advance, making it ideal for dinner parties, summer gatherings, or any occasion where you want to impress guests without last-minute stress.

What You’ll Need for Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides a classic, sweet base for the pie with a delightful crumbly texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Helps bind the crust together and adds rich flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Brings a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the crust.

• Plain Yogurt: Adds tangy flavor and creamy consistency to the filling.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a rich, sweet, and smooth base for the pie.
• Lime Juice: Provides bright, zesty citrus flavor essential to key lime pie.
• Lime Zest: Intensifies the lime flavor with its concentrated citrus oils.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a light, fluffy whipped cream topping.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream.
• Lime Zest: Adds a fresh garnish and extra lime aroma.
• Lime Slices: Provides a decorative and flavorful garnish for the pie.

How to Prepare Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 375°F.

Step 2: Create Graham Cracker Crust

• Melted butter
• Brown sugar
• Graham cracker crumbs

Mix with a fork and hands until fully blended.

Step 3: Press Crust into Pie Pan

Use fingers and the base of a measuring cup to firmly press the crumb mixture into a 9 x 1.5-inch deep-dish pie pan. Ensure an even 1/2-inch thick crust covering bottom and sides.

Step 4: Bake Crust

Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Step 5: Reduce Oven Temperature

Lower oven temperature to 350°F.

Step 6: Prepare Filling

• Yogurt
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Lime zest
• Lime juice

Pour the thick mixture into the warm graham cracker crust.

Step 7: Bake Filling

Bake for 15 minutes until filling is nearly set but still slightly jiggly.

Step 8: Cool and Chill

Let pie cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours.

Step 9: Make Whipped Cream Topping

Using an electric mixer, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold in confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks develop.

Step 10: Finish and Garnish

Spread whipped cream over the pie. Sprinkle with lime zest and add lime slices as decoration.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Refrigerate until serving. When ready, slice into wedges, cleaning knife between cuts. Serve chilled and savor the tangy goodness!

Alton Brown Key Lime Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s Key Lime Pie delivers a tangy tropical paradise with creamy precision. Graham cracker crust and silky lime filling create a classic dessert you cannot resist devouring in one delightful sitting.

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Ingredients

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Crust Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
• 0.33 cup packed light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 (14-ounce/396 grams) cans sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk)
• 0.75 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons grated lime zest

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup cold heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
• 8 to 10 thin lime slices

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Instructions

1. Position an oven rack at the center and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and graham cracker crumbs in a medium mixing bowl, blending thoroughly with a fork and then your fingertips until the mixture is fully incorporated.
3. Press the crumb mixture firmly into a 9-inch by 1.5-inch deep-dish pie pan, ensuring an even layer approximately 1/2 inch thick across the bottom and sides using your fingers and the base of a measuring cup.
4. Bake the graham cracker crust for 10 minutes until it develops a light golden color, then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
6. In a large bowl, whisk together plain yogurt, sweetened condensed milk, freshly grated lime zest, and lime juice until smooth and well-blended.
7. Pour the creamy mixture into the pre-baked graham cracker crust, spreading evenly to the edges.
8. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the filling is almost set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
9. Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours to completely set.
10. Using an electric mixer, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar until the cream holds soft peaks.
11. Spread the whipped cream evenly across the chilled pie’s surface.
12. Garnish with additional lime zest and thin lime slices for decoration.
13. Return to refrigerator until ready to serve, slicing into wedges with a clean knife between each cut.

Notes

• Zesty Boost: Lime zest elevates the dessert’s brightness and adds a tangy kick to every bite.
• Crumb Precision: Compact graham cracker base ensures a sturdy foundation that won’t crumble when serving.
• Cooling Magic: Refrigeration melds flavors and sets the creamy texture perfectly.
• Slice Technique: Wiping the knife after each cut prevents messy edges and creates professional-looking servings.
• Whipped Perfection: Gentle cream peaks provide a cloud-like topping that melts in your mouth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg