This classic key lime pie with condensed milk is sweet, tangy, and perfect for summer! Condensed milk adds a sweet and rich flavor that is complemented by the key lime juice. This pie always has people coming back for more and asking for my recipe!
Key Lime Pie has always been one of my favorite summer desserts. I think the rich and luxurious texture has the perfect combination of tangy and sweet. A fun fact about this pie is that traditional recipes always call for sweetened condensed milk.
Why you'll love this recipe
So let’s talk about this pie a little bit. This Key Lime Pie recipe uses condensed milk and sour cream. It is a fabulously easy way to whip up a summertime favorite dessert in under an hour. You can even use bottled key lime juice to save some additional time. Don’t forget to garnish with whipped cream as this helps cut the tartness of the lime.
Why we use condensed milk
No fresh milk, no refrigeration, and no ice was available in the Keys until the arrival of tank trucks with the opening of the Overseas Highway in 1930. Because of this lack of milk, local cooks had to rely on canned sweetened condensed milk. Key lime may be the star ingredient of the key lime pie, but it is the sweetened condensed milk that makes it so smooth and delicious.
Heather's helpful hints
If you have time, a homemade graham cracker crust is even better for this pie. Check out this quick and easy three-ingredient recipe for a crust that will be done in 15 minutes.
Related pie recipes
Our recipe index is a great place to search all My Sweet Precision recipes!
Recipe
Key Lime Pie with Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 1 9 inch prepared graham cracker crust
- 3 cups sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
Instructions
- Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine condensed milk, sour cream, lime juice, and lime rind. Mix well and pour into graham cracker crust.
- Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until set and tiny pinhole bubbles burst on the surface of pie. Be careful not to brown your pie. Remove from oven and chill pie thoroughly before serving. Garnish with lime slices and whipped cream if desired.
Notes and Tips
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?! First, let me say THANK YOU for giving it a try!
Please leave us a rating and feedback in the comments section at the bottom of this post. I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas on what went well — and didn't — with a recipe!
Happy Baking!
Heather
Mary Frances
This looks gorgeous!! I have never made or tried key lime pie before. I love to try out new recipes and this is next on my list :)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Mary! I have always loved key lime pie and this was actually my first time making it from scratch. I definitely think the recipe is a winner if you give it a try! :)
thehungrymum
Yum! Have never had key lime pie before but this looks so delish.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you! It's definitely a great summer pie, one of my favorites :)
MOM
I can still taste this one, Heather. What a treat to have it in your fridge when we last visited. It tastes just as good as it looks. Thank You for the TREAT.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
I'm so glad that you both enjoyed it so much!! It was such a treat making it and knowing we'd be able to enjoy it the entire weekend :)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
I've never made Key Lime Pie but you made it look so easy (and oh so tasty). Wishing I could have a piece right now!
Sherri
I saw this on Facebook Heather when Tracy shared it and so glad to come over here and get the recipe. I've never made key lime pie, and love that you use sour cream, I had no idea! I can't wait to try this and will let you know when I do! Key Lime Pie is very 'Americana' to me, and if it's okay with you, I would like to link to this post in my next Five Photo/Five Story Challenge post, part of which is about my experiences with American food and baking terms when I first moved to California!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
This was actually my first time making Key Lime Pie as well! It has always been one of my favorite desserts and it definitely is an American classic. I didn’t know much about the history before I did a little research for my blog post! I’d love to have this recipe be a part of your post on American food :) What a treat, thank you so much for asking Sherri!
annabelletroy
Lovely looking pie! I like grasshopper pie, too!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Ohhh... that IS another wonderful pie! I actually have never made one before but it would be the perfect refreshing dessert for a hot summer day :)
Just Add Attitude
Heather your deserts and baked goods always look so pretty but you have surpassed your self with this beautiful looking Key Lime pie. I hope you enjoyed your time with your parents. ;)
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Oh thank you so much for your incredibly kind words B! I did have a fun time with my parents, it's hard to believe that they left only a week ago!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
Right now I'm obsessed with key lime ice cream, so I think it's about time I up the game and make this pie! Yum!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Key Lime ice cream?! Drool. I think I would eat it sprinkled with graham crackers and whipped cream on top. Sounds delicious :)
Tracy Lee Karner
Sounds heavenly. And simple. I will definitely be making this, the next time I need a summer dessert.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Yes Tracy, I think my favorite part is how simple this dessert is to pull together! Definitely good for those times when you need something nice but don't have forever to be in the kitchen!
chef mimi
Beautiful! I love the whipped cream addition. Smart!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you :) I think without the whipped cream the tartness of the pie almost gets overwhelming!
apuginthekitchen
Love key lime pie and this one is spectacular.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Suzanne!
Anita Kushwaha
One of my favourites but I have yet to try and make one. :) It looks lovely.
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Anita! This was actually my first time making a Key Lime pie as well. I had always done Key Lime cupcakes before I tried this recipe. The pie is definitely easier than cupcakes and tasty ;)
Anita Kushwaha
I'm looking forward to trying it soon! :)
Danielle
You always make these recipes sound so easy ;). What a beautiful pie!!!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
LOL! Well this one actually IS easy Miss Danielle... I promise :)
Antonia
I love key lime pie too. I have never made it with sour cream and will definitely try out this recipe. Lovely pie :) Thanks for sharing!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you Antonia! I think the sour cream adds a nice creamy texture to the pie. I know some recipes also call for eggs, but I was pleasantly surprised with the combo of sour cream and condensed milk!