My Key lime pie with meringue topping recipe features a homemade graham cracker crust, a luscious sweet-tart filling, and homemade meringue topping. A really simple pie to make, and it is beautiful!
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If you are looking for a go-to summer dessert...this could be all you need.
Why you'll love key lime meringue pie
- The crust: If you are looking for something a little tart with an incredible crust...this is your pie!
- The filling: This filling is just luscious and incredible!
- Make something else while pie sets: Maybe you'll love the ease of having your pie set in the fridge while you do something else? For all of these reasons, this is your pie!
- Everyone LOVES this pie: In case you make just one pie this summer, have it be the one that my kids argue over who gets the last slice. I urge you to make this Key lime pie and don't forget the meringue topping.
The crust does not create a perfect slice each time you cut into it. Since it's homemade, it will crumble a bit more than the store-bought crust. In fact, it's quite the messy cookie type crust. Nobody has ever complained here and as I mentioned before, there is no comparison in flavor with a ready-made crust.
How could it be that something so simple could create wreak such havoc in my house? This dessert. This super simple dessert is the cause of many arguments. A Key lime pie with meringue topping is probably the dessert I get asked to make most in my house. At least it is this past year.
Originally posted September 2013. Updated for content and republished July 2023.
And there is really not much to making it. The kids hover around the kitchen when I'm slicing it monitoring where each slice is going and to ensure each slice is perfectly equal in proportion.
Strange behavior...I know.
What ingredients are in key lime pie with meringue?
- Graham cracker pie crust or homemade crust: the base of the pie.
- Sweetened condensed milk: used for sweetness and texture.
- egg yolks: adds richness and structure.
- Key Lime Juice or freshly squeezed Key lime (or Persian lime) juice: provides the tart flavor and acidity.
- egg whites: used to make a fluffy and airy topping.
- vanilla extract: adds flavor to the meringue.
- cream of tartar: helps stabilize the egg whites and create structure.
- granulated sugar: adds sweetness to the meringue.
They open the fridge to check on the pie periodically throughout the day. Hey! Who took another sliver? It's missing another slice...who ate it?
Silly pie arguments. Do they happen in your house?
How to make recipe for key lime pie with meringue?
To make key lime pie with meringue topping, follow these instructions (full printable recipe is below):
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Mix together 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup sugar, and 6 tablespoons melted butter in a bowl. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie dish and bake for 8-10 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, 1 can of condensed milk, and key lime juice. Pour the mixture into the cooled crust.
4. In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until glossy. Spread the meringue over the filling, making sure to seal the edges.
5. Bake for 5-8 minutes, or until the meringue is lightly browned. Cool pie completely on rack (filling will set as it cools), then chill, covered, at least 8 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Can I use store-bought key lime juice?
Yes! I use Nellie and Joe's Key West Lime Juice. I find now at any local market (or also, online). If you can't find it, you could use freshly squeezed lime juice. I know, I know. I could squeeze Key limes and use the juice for the recipe but that would entail adding additional prep time to this recipe.
That wouldn't work in my house. If you have the patience to squeeze your own Key limes, by all means do it. I know I had a conversation with a friend of mine (if she's reading this, 'HI")and she told me she would never buy the juice when you could just squeeze the limes.
And then there's me who would never buy a ready made graham cracker crust when you could just make your own homemade graham cracker crust in no time.
So really, it's all what you prefer. Whatever works for you and makes you happy. It's your pie!
Oh! I forgot to mention that the longest prep part of the pie is making the meringue topping. How did I forget to mention the most wonderful part of this pie!
Once you have your crust baked, it's just a matter of a very quick assembly. If you prefer to use a ready-made crust, that's fine.
Or is the filling the best part? Could the graham cracker crust beat both of those parts of the pie?
Depends on who you are asking...
After you spread the filling over the graham cracker crust, spoon on the meringue topping (use whipped cream, if you prefer).
In my opinion, it is the meringue topping that makes my heart skip a beat in delight.
Or it could be the perfect sweet-tart filling? No...It's the can't stop sneaking bites simple graham cracker crust. My kids still don't know it's made with olive oil.
But then again, I may not be the guilty family member sneaking an extra sliver but I have been known to spoon up a nice tasting of those graham cracker crumbs-oh, yeah!
Expert Tips for homemade key lime pie:
- Use freshly squeezed key lime juice for the best flavor
- Make sure to completely cool the pie before adding the meringue topping
- Be careful not to overbeat the egg whites, as this can cause them to become dry and brittle
- Gradually add the sugar to the egg whites while beating to ensure a stable, glossy meringue
- Spread the meringue evenly over the filling, making sure to seal the edges to prevent shrinkage or weeping during baking.
If you prefer to toss your egg whites and not deal with making a meringue topping, a whipped cream topping is also really nice! Homemade is best, or use your favorite store-bought whipped cream topping.
Persian limes are the most common ones you'll find at US markets. I've come across key limes in many different markets and you'll see that they are a lot smaller than regular limes. Key limes are 1.5 inches in diameter and have a much more intense flavor.
Yes, Key lime pie may be made 1-2 days in advance.
Cover the pie with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
If you made a meringue topping for the pie, insert toothpicks around the center to the edge of the pie. Cover loosely with some plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Yes, I do talk about this a little bit in the post. Go ahead and use a store-bought crust. The difference will be in the flavor. It really takes minutes to make your own crust and the flavor is incredible!
Some other pie recipes to enjoy:
- No-Bake Limoncello Cheesecake
- Blueberry Icebox Pie
- Southern Buttermilk Pie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie
Just a quick request: if you enjoyed this classic Key lime pie as much as we did, would you kindly leave me a 5-star rating and a short (or long!)comment–the ratings are what helps get my recipes and hard work discovered, so I can keep leaving you more delish recipes!
Your comments mean the world to me….and I really SMILE when I read them. Thank you so much! XX
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Key Lime Pie with Meringue Topping
Ingredients
- 9 " graham cracker pie crust or your own *homemade crust
- 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
- 3 egg yolks reserve egg whites for meringue topping
- ½ cup Nellie & Joe's Key West Lime Juice or freshly squeezed Key lime (or Persian lime)juice
- for the meringue topping:
- 3 egg whites
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 6 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Make the filling: In a small bowl combine milk, egg yolks and lime juice; whisk until smooth. If you are using your own homemade graham cracker pie crust, bake the crust before adding the filling for about 7 minutes.
- Bake filling in crust: Pour filling into store-bought or your homemade graham cracker crust (link below in notes) bake at 350º for 10 minutes.
- Make meringue topping: While baking, make meringue topping. In the bowl of a mixer, add the egg whites, vanilla and cream of tartar. Beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form.
- Slowly add sugar: Add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, while beating on high speed. Continue beating on high speed until the sugar dissolves and stiff, glossy peaks form. When you lift the beaters, the tips will stand straight up.
- Use a spatula to cover filling: Let the pie cool down after you remove from the oven. Spread the meringue over the pie and bake at 350º for about 5-8 minutes. Keep an eye on the meringue so it doesn't burn. (I sometimes broil the topping. If you choose to broil, it won't take more than 3-4 minutes and you have to carefully watch it because it could be perfect one minute and burned the next).
- Chill pie before serving: Cool pie completely on rack (filling will set as it cools), then chill, covered, at least 8 hours. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Notes
- Graham cracker crust: Use store-bought graham cracker crust or use this recipe for homemade graham cracker crust.
- Key lime Filling: The filling takes just minutes to put together.
- Meringue topping: The meringue topping also takes minutes to whip up. You could use whipped cream instead to make it easier. OR use no topping at all. It's up to you. The meringue topping is a great way to use up those egg whites.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
This is one scrumptious looking pie, Lora! I'm always so excited when I can get my hands on a slice of ACTUAL key lime pie. Pass me a fork... or just give me the whole darn pan!
Jett Whitfield @get2whit says
Yummy indeed! Thank you =)
Susan says
Lora, Didi Emmons has a version of Key Lime Pie in her cookbook Entertaining for a Veggie Planet that you might like to try sometime. She refers to it as an "old standby," butt I had never tasted her method before. She makes an Oreo crust with 28 cookies and 2 TB butter, but I think graham cracker crust would be ok too (although I do love the combo of lime and chocolate). But what is realky special is that she whisks together 1 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 3/4 cup fresh lime juice, then folds in 1 cup of whipped heavy cream. It takes at least 2 hours to set up, overnight is best. This is luscious, and so effortless, espc. If you food process the crust. No heating up the kitchen with an oven either. I do love meringue, but this filling is kind of ethereal. Mereingue is ethereal too, but not necessarily luscious, you know?
I was thinking about your Project Sicilia, and wondered if you were familiar with the cookbook Sweet Sicily? It was published in 2001, when you were probably a toddler. It is a beautiful and loving tribute to Sicily. I checked it out of the library when it was published, and recently bought it 2nd hand on Amazon for $3.99 postage and handling plus 1¢. If you haven't read it (it's one of those cookbooks you read like a novel and salivate over - I've nevet actually cooked from it!), I think you will love it.
Still loving your blog (I'm a newbie)!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Beautiful pie, Lora. I love the toasted meringue topping!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I have a friend who loves loves key limes, this would be so perfect for a key lime addict. The topping looks sinfully delicious.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Lora,
omg. . my heart is skipping a beat with this entire thing! I'm totally with you on the homemade crust. . it's really so easy and you are right, there is no comparison with regards to taste. And - I just looked this up b/c I was curious- did you know: "The Key lime is more difficult to find outside of Florida and California markets, and may be available only seasonally and/or in gourmet markets. However, many large grocery chains now carry bottled Key lime juice in the canned fruit aisle near bottled lemon juice." so, ain't no thing. . I'm with you on the bottled key lime juice!! 🙂 can't wait to try this recipe!
Liz says
Oh, I LOVE this! I've never made a key lime pie topped with meringue, but now I MUST. My kids used to make sure I cut their desserts exactly the same size, too...and they'd always get cranky if I took just a little nibble from one of their plates 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love the meringue on top! So pretty!
rebecca says
wow I want a slice looks amazing
Kumar's Kitchen says
this gorgeous key lime pie is to die for...looks beautiful 🙂
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Beautiful Key Lime Pie, Lora! Pinning!
Patty says
Oh my goodness Lora -now you've gone and done it -got me craving pie...key lime meringue pie to be precise, lol 😉
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Lora, I'd also be stalking the fridge and accusing others of eating too much pie if I lived with you. This looks amazing! Your key lime filling is so smooth 'n creamy, and that fluffy meringue on top is gorgeous.
Jean | lemons & anchovies says
Oh, my! I'd be hovering around the counter, too, just to make sure I get a hefty slice!
Suzanne says
Beautiful pie and it's really cute that your kids argue about this pie, it must we a great one!
cakeduchess says
I never heard of Didi's Key Lime Pie before, Susan. I think I've got to give it a try. It sounds like an incredible filling. Yes, Sweet Sicily is a beautiful book. Thank you for still loving my blog!
cakeduchess says
That's so cute that your kids were the same way with the slices, Lizzy! thank you xx
cakeduchess says
Thanks so much, Nancy. The silly pie arguments are quite funny when you think about it.
Peggy says
Hi. Could you clarify for me whether or not I am supposed to bake the key lime filling in the pie shell before making the meringue? In step 2, you wrote "Pour filling into prebaked pie crust and bake at 350º for 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the meringue so it doesn't burn." But then in step 3, you said to make the meringue.
Thanks.
cakeduchess says
Bake the filling (according to the directions). Then carefully spread on the topping and keep a careful eye on it as it can burn rather quickly. ENJOy!
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Michael says
I normally make my crust for cheesecakes and fruit pies with homemade biscotti (crumbled) and add the zest of the flavor I want to showcase. For this one, I would use key limes.
Lora says
Hi Michael-Great idea...sounds delicious!
Anne says
Just wanted to let you know, I've been baking this recipe since you first posted it and the meringue topping is a MUST! We all love it!
Tangy D says
Great recipe for a wonderful version of my favorite pie. Thank you for sharing!
Shelly says
I was born and raised in Key West (a 4th generation conch), and this is very close to the same wonderful recipe that both my grandmothers made! This is true key lime pie! So yummy!
Lora says
Hi Shelly-What an honor to get such a lovely review from an authentic conch (4th generation...wow!). THANK YOU so much for taking the time to let us know how you love our pie. Such a joy to know it's similar to your dear grandmother's recipes. Happy Baking! XX
Janice says
Delicious!! Easy to make and the family LOVED it!
Lora says
Hi Janice-THANK YOU for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the Key lime pie. ENJOY! XX