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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Position an oven rack at the center and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- In a large bowl, whisk together plain yogurt, sweetened condensed milk, freshly grated lime zest, and lime juice until smooth and well-blended.
- Pour the creamy mixture into the pre-baked graham cracker crust, spreading evenly to the edges.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the filling is almost set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
- Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours to completely set.
- Using an electric mixer, whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar until the cream holds soft peaks.
- Spread the whipped cream evenly across the chilled pie’s surface.
- Garnish with additional lime zest and thin lime slices for decoration.
- 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