Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (2024)

Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (1) Jessica

4.4 from 42 votes

9 comments

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Additional Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

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This refreshing Frozen Key Lime Pie is full of citrus flavor for the summer! It’s an easy no bake treat that’ll have the whole family asking for seconds.

Table of Contents

  • The Best Way to Make Key Lime Pie in the Summer
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How to Make Frozen Key Lime Pie
  • Serving Suggestions
  • How to Store Leftovers
  • Do I Have to Use Key Limes?
  • Get the Recipe

    The Best Way to Make Key Lime Pie in the Summer

    This 5 ingredient key lime pie is the summer dessert recipe you’ve been waiting for! It only takes 10 minutes to prepare and there’s no need to turn on the oven. If you’re a fan of key lime pie, you have to try this recipe!

    This cool and creamy treat is guaranteed to cool you down on a hot day. The citrus flavor of the pie pairs perfectly with its sweet and crunchy graham cracker crust.

    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (3)

    What is Key Lime Pie & Why Make a Frozen Version?

    Key lime pie has 3 main components – a graham cracker crust, a tangy key lime custard filling, and a fluffy whipped cream topping. This classic American dessert is often baked, but it can also be made without the use of an oven or stove.

    And that’s exactly the case for this version. It doesn’t require any baking or cooking, so it’s perfect for the summertime. Frozen key lime pie is cool, refreshing and delicious!

    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (4)

    Recipe Ingredients

    • Cream Cheese: Soften your cream cheese before starting on your pie.
    • Lime Juice: You’ll need to juice about 3 and a half key limes.
    • Evaporated Milk
    • Powdered Sugar
    • Graham Cracker Crust: Use a pre-made 10 inch graham cracker crust.
    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (5)

    How to Make Frozen Key Lime Pie

    1. Make Key Lime Filling: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with a hand mixer until creamy. Add the lime juice, evaporated milk and sugar. Beat to combine, about 2 minutes. (Filling should not be lumpy. If it’s lumpy, the cream cheese was not soft enough. Simply microwave the filling at 30 second intervals and continue to beat until smooth.)
    2. Assemble Pie: Pour the pie filling into your crust and smooth it out with a spatula. Freeze for 4 to 24 hours.
    3. Add Whipped Cream Layer: Take your pie out of the freezer about 15 minutes before you want to serve it. Top with whipped cream, serve and enjoy!
    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (6)

    Serving Suggestions

    • Try it With a Meringue Topping: A lot of people prefer a meringue topping to a whipped cream one when it comes to key lime pie. This recipe tastes delicious with a meringue topping too!
    • Add Coconut: Top your pie with toasted coconut for extra flavor and texture.
    • Serve With a Sweet co*cktail: Every summer dessert deserves to be served with a fruity co*cktail! The sweetness of my Pineapple Coconut Mojitos lends itself well to the tartness of this pie.
    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (7)

    How to Store Leftovers

    Store leftover key lime pie in a sealed freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer. Your pie will stay good for up to a month! Just be sure to thaw it on the counter for 15-20 minutes before serving it. The longer it’s stored in the freezer, the longer it’ll take to thaw out.

    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (8)

    Do I Have to Use Key Limes?

    No, you can use regular, everyday limes for this recipe and still get the same great flavor! Regular limes are more easily available and are usually cheaper as well. However, if you can get your hands on them, key limes are always great to use.

    Looking for more no-bake desserts? Try out these reader favorites: Eclair Cake, my Mama’s Banana Pudding and Summer Berry Icebox Cake!

    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (9)

    4.4 from 42 votes

    Print Pin Recipe

    Yield: 8

    Frozen Key Lime Pie

    This refreshing Frozen Key Lime Pie is full of citrus flavor for the summer! It's an easy no bake treat that'll have the whole family asking for seconds.

    Prep Time10 minutes minutes

    Additional Time4 hours hours

    Total Time4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
    • ½ cup lime juice, about 3 1/2 limes
    • cup evaporated milk
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 10 inch graham cracker crust

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with a hand mixer until creamy. Add the lime juice, evaporated milk and sugar. Beat to combine, about 2 minutes. (Filling should not be lumpy. If it is lumpy, the cream cheese was not soft enough. Simply microwave filling at 30 second intervals and continue to beat until smooth.)

    • Pour pie filling into crust and smooth out with a spatula. Freeze for 4 to 24 hours.

    • Take pie out of the freezer about 15 minutes before you serve it. Top with whipped cream and serve.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1, Calories: 399kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 309mg, Sugar: 22g

    © Jessica

    Cuisine: American

    Category: No Bake

    Categories:

    • Desserts
    • Holidays
    • No Bake
    • Pie
    • Recipes

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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    Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie Recipe - How to Make The Best Key Lime Pie! (2024)

    FAQs

    Can you put key lime pie in the freezer to set faster? ›

    Pour into pie shell, filling it to the brim and mounding slightly on top. Cover with plastic wrap, stretching wrap tightly across surface. Freeze until firm, at least 3 hours. Just before serving, remove from freezer and discard plastic wrap.

    Is frozen key lime pie good? ›

    Freezing key lime pie is not only a good idea, but it's also a practical way to enjoy your favorite dessert at any time!

    What is the best store bought key lime pie? ›

    Trader Joe's Key Lime Pie

    That's why the key lime pie from Trader Joe's is so sought-after during the summer when this seasonal pie returns. It's yellow, it's made with sweetened condensed milk and real key lime juice (as it should be!), it's $5.49 — and it's perfection in a pie.

    How long does frozen key lime pie need to thaw? ›

    The pie can be thawed at room temperature for 30 minutes. The pie can be thawed in the refrigerator from the freezer in 4 hours.

    What causes a key lime pie to thicken? ›

    Combining the lime juice with the egg yolks and condensed milk creates a chemical reaction that causes the mixture to thicken all on its own (the acid causes the proteins in the yolks and milk to bond together).

    Why does key lime pie get runny? ›

    The biggest culprit of a runny key lime pie is not letting it chill for long enough. Since this is one of those summer pie recipes that's not baked, chilling the pie helps it set and prevents it from being runny. Be sure to chill it for at least 12 hours!

    What is the difference between key lime pie and lime pie? ›

    Persian limes are more acidic than Key limes and thus often have a more tart flavor. Key limes, which are known for being particularly aromatic, are typically sweeter in taste, making them a perfect ingredient for the refreshing pie they're most known for (or for these fun Key lime pie-inspired s'mores).

    Can homemade key lime pie be frozen? ›

    Yes, you can. Cool completely and open-freeze to prevent damage, until solid. Wrap in foil or a polythene freezer bag with cardboard support to prevent damage, or a rigid container, for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.

    Does homemade key lime pie freeze well? ›

    Yes! You can freeze Key lime pie for up to three months (but make sure you don't add whipped cream or toppings until after it's thawed). If you plan to freeze the pie, bake it in a foil pan. Wrap the cooled pie in at least one layer of storage wrap, then follow it up with at least one layer of foil.

    Can I use regular lime juice instead of key lime juice for a key lime pie? ›

    Unless you live in the Florida Keys, key limes are near impossible to find. Furthermore, they're so tiny that you'd need to juice at least twenty of them for this recipe. No thank you! Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice.

    What city is famous for key lime pie? ›

    The sweet and tart pie reportedly originated in Key West, Florida, in the late 19th century. The use of sweetened condensed milk, an essential ingredient, is probably because fresh milk and refrigeration were uncommon in the isolated Florida Keys until the 1930s.

    What is so special about key lime pie? ›

    Because it is sweet and tart at the same time, and the citrus-y tang is refreshing. What's not to like? It's sweetened key lime juice (not Persian lime juice) and egg yolks, and some lime zest mixed together and baked in a graham-ginger crust.

    Should a frozen pie be thawed before baking? ›

    When oven is preheated, remove frozen pie from freezer; cut a few slits in top crust and place in oven. Do not thaw pie because no one wants a soggy pie. Bake 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F; bake 40 to 50 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and apples are hot and soft when pricked with a fork.

    What are the ingredients in Marie Callender key lime pie? ›

    Milk, Sugar, Water, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Nonfat Milk, Key West Lime Juice (Water, Lime Juice Concentrates, Lime Oil), Graham Flour, Key Lime Puree (Water, Key Lime Juice Concentrate, Lime Pulp Cells, Lime Oil), Hydrogenated Palm Kernel ...

    What happens if you thaw a frozen pie before baking? ›

    You will be able to determine your timing and temperature best if the pies are thawed. Actually, you might want to bake the raw, thawed pumpkin pie shell for 15 to 20 minutes, then fill it and bake it with the filling, so the crust will not be soggy.

    Can you chill key lime pie in freezer? ›

    Yes! You can freeze Key lime pie for up to three months (but make sure you don't add whipped cream or toppings until after it's thawed). If you plan to freeze the pie, bake it in a foil pan. Wrap the cooled pie in at least one layer of storage wrap, then follow it up with at least one layer of foil.

    Can I put pie crust in freezer to chill faster? ›

    Before rolling it out, you can form the dough into a disk, not a ball, and freeze it for 30 minutes. If the dough has already been rolled out and put in the pan, you can put it in the freezer for an hour instead — even 45 minutes is fine.

    Can you put pie dough in the freezer to chill faster? ›

    Your freezer is your friend. If your doughs feel warm or tacky after you've lined the pie dish or shaped the galette, stick it in the freezer or fridge until it's firm and cool to the touch before you bake.

    Can you put pie in the freezer to set? ›

    It's best to freeze whole baked pies” after they've cooled, she says. “Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil and freeze until firm. Thaw overnight in the fridge. If you're able, I'd recommend refreshing the pie in an oven, wrapped in foil, to re-crisp the crust.”

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