I found the best key lime pie recipe in a cookbook from the Longboat Key Club and Resort when I visited a couple of years ago.
As you've probably read if you've been a reader here for any length of time, my favorite way to explore a new destination is through food. This time, my exploration was through Key lime pie, and it was so good!
You may also know that I'm not from Florida. We decided to move here almost 11 years ago after many years of visiting and not wanting to leave. We settled in Bradenton, near Sarasota, and it was the best decision we ever made.
We have a lot of great restaurants in this area, and the Longboat Key Club is fantastic, not only for the food but also for the location. It's right on the Gulf of Mexico with stunning views and white sand beaches that feel like baby powder between your toes.
Now that you've got that picture in your mind, take a minute and dream of eating their famous Key Lime Pie while staring out at the turquoise blue water. I'm doing it with you right now...
Until then, you can make this delicious pie at home. It's really easy and at least we can visualize those views. Or you can take a peek at the view on my Instagram post. I hope you're following me there!
Best Key Lime Pie Recipe
Isn't it wonderful to find a recipe that isn't difficult yet turns out this pretty?
What You Need to Make the Best Key Lime Pie
Always gather your ingredients so you don't realize you're missing something at the last minute. (Guilty!) This pie has a Linzer dough crust that is just divine.
Linzer cookies have always been my favorite. I just love the crumbly texture and hazelnut flavor. For the pie dough, you will need sugar, butter, eggs, cake four, hazelnut flour, and cinnamon.
To make the pie filling, you'll be using egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, Key lime juice, and raspberry marmalade or AllFruit. For the topping, you'll just need powdered sugar, heavy cream, and crushed hazelnuts, slices of lime, and raspberries for the garnish. Easy!
How to Make the Best Key Lime Pie Recipe
Prepare the dough first. Cream the sugar with the butter until well combined and light.
Add eggs.
Add cake flour, hazelnut flour, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
Chill for 30 minutes.
Roll out pie crust until it's ¼ inch thick. Cut if you need to make it fit the pie dish.
Lay a piece of parchment paper over the crust, and add about a cup of rice or dried beans. This will keep the crust from bubbling up and cook flat instead. Prebake at 325º for 10 minutes or until the sides are set.
Remove parchment paper and beans and continue to bake until crust is done, dry in the center.
For the pie filling, mix 6 egg yolks, ⅔ quart sweetened condensed milk, and 1 cup Key lime juice.
Spread ¼ cup raspberry marmalade on the bottom of the pie shell. Fill with the pie filling.
Pipe remaining marmalade in a spiral on top of the filling.
Bake at 325º until set, about 20-30 minutes. Let cool.
Prepare whipped cream by combining heavy cream and sugar, whipping until medium-stiff peaks form.
Spread whipped cream across the top of the pie. Coat edge with ground hazelnuts.
Garnish with lime slices and raspberries.
Do I Have to Use Key Limes?
You can totally make this pie with regular limes, but Key limes really deliver the best flavor. A traditional Key Lime pie recipe is made with Key lime juice.
Do I Have to Use Hazelnut Flour?
Sometimes hazelnut flour is difficult to find, but you can easily substitute almond flour, one to one ratio.
Can I use Other Fruits to Make Key Lime Pie?
Of course, you can! Raspberries aren't part of a traditional Key lime pie recipe, but I'm so glad Chef Weil decided to add them. It's a delicious addition!
You don't need to add any berries at all, but I might try blueberries with this recipe. Blackberries or strawberries would be really good, too. You can also use a different flavor of marmalade or jam.
How Long Does Key Lime Pie Keep?
This pie will keep for 2 -3 days in the refrigerator. It would never last that long in my house, but it will keep if it's not eaten!
It can also be frozen. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or place in a large baggie and seal.
Best Key Lime Pie Recipe
Delicious and creamy pie with flavors of the Florida Keys.
Ingredients
Linzer Pie Dough
- ½ C sugar
- 1 stick butter
- 2 eggs
- ½ C cake flour
- 2 C hazelnut flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pie Filling
- 6 egg yolks
- ⅔ qt sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup Key lime juice
- ¾ C Raspberry marmalade or AllFruit
Topping
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ¼ C crushed hazelnuts
- 8-12 lime slices
- 8-12 fresh raspberries
Instructions
Prepare the dough first. Cream the sugar with the butter until well combined and light.
Add eggs. Add cake flour, hazelnut flour, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
Chill for 30 minutes.
Roll out pie crust until it's ¼ inch thick. Cut if you need to make it fit the pie dish.
Lay a piece of parchment paper over the crust, and add about a cup of dried beans. This will keep the crust from bubbling up and cook flat instead. Prebake at 325º for 10 minutes or until the sides are set.
Remove parchment paper and beans and continue to bake until crust is done, dry in the center.
Spread ¼ cup raspberry marmalade on bottom of Linzer Dough pie shell.
Prepare pie filling by mixing 6 egg yolks, ⅔ quart sweetened condensed milk, and 1 cup Key lime juice until well combined.
Fill shell with Key Lime Pie filling.
Pipe remaining raspberry marmalade in a spiral on top of filling.
Bake at 325 degrees F until set, about 20-30 minutes.
Cool pie.
Spread with whipped cream evenly across the top with an angled edge.
Coat angled edge with ground hazelnuts.
Garnish with lime slices and raspberries.
Notes
Any lime juice will work, but Key lime is best.
Any berries will work.
Any flavor of marmalade, jam, or jelly will work.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 575Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 227mgSodium: 111mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 6gSugar: 19gProtein: 10g
Looking for More Lime Recipes?
These Fresh Lime Macarons are heavenly and everyone will love these Lemon Lime Cupcakes.
For dinner, try this Lemon Lime Cast Iron Chicken. It's easy!
Dessert Recipes
Looking for more delicious dessert recipes? I just made this Bread & Butter Pudding recipe from Viking Cruises and it was incredible.
For something rich and chocolatey, try this Sacher Torte recipe, or the most popular dessert on this site, peanut butter brownies. So good!
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