Perfect Zesty Key Lime Pie Recipe: Ina Garten’s Tropical Dream

Cool summer breezes and tangy key lime pie recipe whisper promises of sweet-tart indulgence.

Ina masterful creation captures the essence of tropical delight with stunning simplicity.

Zesty citrus notes dance across a buttery graham cracker crust, promising pure refreshment.

Each silky slice delivers a perfect balance of bright and creamy flavors that sing of sunshine.

The recipe brings together classic ingredients with effortless elegance.

Smooth, decadent, and utterly irresistible, this pie will become your new warm-weather obsession.

You’ll fall in love with every vibrant, velvety bite.

Everything in Ina Garten Key Lime Pie

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides the classic sandy texture and sweet foundation for the pie's base, choose fine, fresh crumbs for best results.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth and caramel-like sweetness, opt for fresh, clump-free sugar.
• Unsalted Butter: Binds the crust together and creates a rich, golden flavor, select high-quality butter for best taste.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy base with perfect sweetness, look for sealed, undented cans.
• Plain Yogurt: Adds tangy brightness and helps create a lighter texture, choose full-fat yogurt for richness.
• Lime Zest: Infuses intense citrus aroma and flavor, use fresh, bright green limes with smooth skin.
• Lime Juice: Provides sharp, bright acidity to balance sweetness, select ripe, heavy limes for maximum juice.

• Heavy Cream: Creates light, fluffy whipped topping, select ultra-pasteurized cream for stable peaks.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes whipped cream, ensure fresh and lump-free.
• Lime Zest: Adds fresh garnish and extra citrus accent.
• Lime Slices: Provides beautiful visual decoration and hint of fresh lime.

Tools to Prepare Ina Garten Key Lime Pie

• 9-inch deep-dish pie pan: Essential for creating the perfect pie shape and size.
• Electric mixer: Key for whipping cream to soft and medium peaks with ease.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining filling ingredients smoothly.
• Medium mixing bowl: Used for preparing graham cracker crust mixture.
• Wire rack: Helps cool the crust evenly after initial baking.
• Fork: Useful for initially mixing graham cracker crust ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending filling ingredients until thick and smooth.
• Zester or grater: Helps create fresh lime zest for garnishing and flavoring.
• Sharp knife: Necessary for slicing pie and cutting lime garnishes.

Directions to Make Ina Garten Key Lime Pie

Tropical Citrus Delight

• Cracker Crust Foundation

Transform graham crackers into a buttery base that cradles your zesty filling. Crush crackers into fine crumbs, blend with melted butter, and press firmly into a pie pan, creating a golden landscape of sweet texture.

• Creamy Lime Filling

Whisk together silky condensed milk with tangy yogurt and bright lime essence. The mixture transforms into a luscious, velvety landscape of tropical flavors that promises to dance on your taste buds.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the pie into a warm oven, allowing the filling to gently set and develop its signature texture. The kitchen will fill with an intoxicating aroma of citrus and sweetness.

• Chilling Journey

After baking, let the pie rest and cool completely. Refrigerate until the filling becomes firm and elegant, creating a refreshing canvas for the next layer.

• Cloud-Like Topping

Whip cream into soft, billowy peaks that will crown your pie with a delicate, airy finish. Spread the cloud-like topping across the surface with graceful sweeps.

• Final Flourish

Garnish with delicate lime zest and slender citrus slices. Each slice becomes a work of art, promising a burst of tropical sunshine with every bite.

Flavor Swaps for Ina Garten Key Lime Pie

• Swap traditional graham crackers with gingersnap or shortbread cookies for a unique twist on the classic crust, adding unexpected depth and crunchiness.
• Replace yogurt and heavy cream with coconut cream and coconut milk yogurt to create a delicious vegan-friendly version that maintains the pie's creamy texture.
• Enhance the filling's complexity by adding a pinch of ground cardamom or ginger, which will complement the tangy lime flavor and create a more sophisticated taste profile.
• Prepare the pie up to two days in advance, keeping it covered in the refrigerator. Wait to add the whipped cream topping until just before serving to maintain its fresh, fluffy texture.
• Experiment with creative toppings like toasted coconut flakes, candied lime zest, or a drizzle of passion fruit sauce to elevate the pie's visual appeal and introduce additional layers of flavor.

Best Ways to Serve Ina Garten Key Lime Pie

• Garnish with Tropical Flair: Sprinkle extra lime zest on top for a vibrant, citrusy pop that enhances the pie's bright flavor profile.
• Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of coconut sorbet to complement the tangy lime notes.
• Create a Summer Dessert Spread: Arrange the pie on a colorful platter with fresh mint leaves and tiny wedges of lime for an Instagram-worthy presentation that screams tropical vacation vibes.
• Chill and Enjoy Perfectly: Let the pie rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours to achieve the ideal silky texture that melts in your mouth with each refreshing bite.

Store Ina Garten Key Lime Pie Without Stress

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the key lime pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain its creamy texture and fresh flavor.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve its delicate consistency.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make the pie crust and filling a day in advance to save time. Keep the whipped cream separate and add just before serving to keep the topping light and fluffy.
• Slice and Serve Tip: Use a clean, sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts to create smooth, perfect pie slices that look as good as they taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 8

Vibrant Ina Garten Key Lime Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s key lime pie combines tangy citrus with creamy sweetness in a classic dessert. Crisp graham cracker crust and silky filling make this tropical treat irresistible for you to savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 (396 grams/14 oz) sweetened condensed milk cans
• 1 cup (240 ml) plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk)
• 1 cup (240 ml) cold heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
• ⅓ cup (67 g) packed light brown sugar
• 4 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tbsps lime zest (1 tbsp + 2 tsp)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsps confectioners’ sugar
• 8 to 10 thin lime slices

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Mix graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and melted butter until uniformly combined, then press firmly into a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan, ensuring even coverage on bottom and sides.
2. Initial Baking: Roast the crust at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes until light golden, then cool completely on a wire rack while reducing oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
3. Filling Creation: Whisk sweetened condensed milk, yogurt, lime zest, and lime juice until achieving a thick, smooth consistency.
4. Pie Assembly: Pour lime filling into the cooled crust, distributing evenly, and bake for 15 minutes until filling is nearly set with a subtle center wobble.
5. Cooling Process: Allow pie to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for 3 hours to completely set.
6. Topping Application: Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, gradually incorporating confectioners’ sugar to create medium-firm peaks.
7. Final Presentation: Spread whipped cream across chilled pie surface, garnish with additional lime zest and delicate lime slices, and keep refrigerated until serving.

Notes

• Crumb Crust Technique: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly using fingertips or glass bottom to create a compact, sturdy base that won’t crumble when slicing.
• Lime Juice Freshness: Use freshly squeezed lime juice and zest for maximum flavor intensity, avoiding bottled alternatives that can taste flat and less vibrant.
• Filling Consistency Check: Watch for a slight wobble in the center when baking, indicating perfect doneness without overcooking, which prevents a rubbery texture.
• Chilling Importance: Refrigerate pie for minimum 3 hours to allow complete setting, ensuring clean slices and optimal flavor melding between crust and filling.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg