Description
Classic key lime pie from Alton Brown combines tangy citrus with creamy richness in a graham cracker crust. Refreshing flavors and simple preparation make this Southern dessert a crowd-pleasing treat you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (14 oz/396 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk)
- 0.75 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsps grated lime zest
- 1.5 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 0.33 cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 tbsps (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 2 tbsps confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp grated lime zest
- 8 to 10 thin lime slices
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Blend graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and brown sugar until thoroughly combined, then press mixture uniformly into a 9-inch pie pan, creating an even layer across bottom and sides using fingertips and measuring cup base.
- Initial Baking: Roast crust at 375°F for 10 minutes until achieving a delicate golden hue, then cool completely on wire rack while reducing oven temperature to 350°F.
- Filling Creation: Whisk yogurt, sweetened condensed milk, lime zest, and lime juice until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture, then transfer mixture into pre-baked crust, distributing evenly to pan edges.
- Pie Baking: Bake for 15 minutes, watching for a slightly trembling center indicating proper doneness, then remove and allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Chilling Process: Refrigerate pie for minimum 3 hours to ensure complete setting and flavor integration.
- Cream Topping: Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, gradually incorporating confectioners’ sugar, then spread uniformly across chilled pie surface.
- Final Presentation: Garnish with additional lime zest and delicate lime slices, keeping refrigerated until serving moment arrives, slicing with clean knife between each cut.
Notes
- Crust Consistency Check: Press graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly to create a stable, compact base that won’t crumble when sliced.
- Temperature Precision: Use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure exact baking temperatures for perfect texture and doneness.
- Zesting Tip: Grate lime zest carefully, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath the green skin for pure, bright citrus flavor.
- Chilling Technique: Allow pie to set completely in refrigerator for minimum 3 hours to achieve ideal firm yet creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 383
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 124 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg