This award-winning Kermit's key lime pie recipe is sweet, tangy, and perfect for summer! Condensed milk adds a sweet and rich flavor that is complemented by the key lime juice. Easy to make and bursting with citrusy flavors, it's the perfect treat for any occasion. 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. After making this dessert for several years, I've taken the original Kermit's recipe and made some amazing tweaks and substitutions that have elevated it to new levels of deliciousness. Trust me, this pie is now better than ever! Enjoy it with my delicious peach green tea lemonade!
What is Kermit's key lime juice?
Let's talk about the superstar behind this recipe: Kermit's Key Lime Juice. Unlike other brands, this juice is double-strength, which means you can use half the amount and still achieve a firm and dense pie. And guess what? The recipe for Kermit's Key Lime Pie is right there on the bottle, so it's no secret how to recreate this delightful dessert.
My copycat recipe will save you the $38 it costs to ship the pie from its Elisabeth Street location in Key West, Florida. The added bonus is that you can make the recipe whenever you want!
Why you'll love this recipe
There are so many reasons to fall head over heels for this incredible pie recipe. Let me give you a taste of what awaits you:
- The taste is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, like a summer breeze on your taste buds.
- This recipe comes with the backing of an award-winning status, so you know you're in for a treat.
- And best of all, it's super easy to make, even for the busiest of bakers.
Key ingredients and why we use them
Let's take a closer look at the key players that make this pie so irresistible.
Key Lime Juice: This is the star ingredient that gives the pie its distinctive tangy flavor. It adds a refreshing twist that sets it apart from regular lime juice.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: The creamy, sweet condensed milk provides the perfect balance to the tartness of the key lime juice, resulting in a luscious filling.
Sour Cream: Adding a touch of tang and creaminess, sour cream takes this pie to a whole new level of decadence. Make sure your sour cream is at room temperature. Also, check out my mini bundt cakes which also feature sour cream.
Grated Lime Zest: Don't forget to zest some fresh lime to enhance the citrusy aroma and flavor of the pie.
Graham Crackers: A crunchy and buttery crust is the defining characteristic of any key lime pie. Purchase crushed graham crackers to skip the step of doing it yourself.
Step-by-step instructions
Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of making this heavenly pie. Just follow these simple steps, and you'll have a mouthwatering masterpiece in no time.
Step 1) Mix crust ingredients together and pack into pie crust.
Step 2) Whisk together the ingredients for the pie filling.
Step 3) Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Step 4) Smooth out the pie filling using a spatula.
Heather's helpful hints
Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your Kermit's Key Lime Pie turns out perfectly every time:
- Short on time? You can use a pre-made graham cracker crust as a time-saving option. Nobody will know the difference!
- Whatever you do, don't over-bake the pie. It's important to cook it until it's only slightly set to avoid a dry and overdone dessert. Trust me on this one!
- Don’t forget to garnish with whipped cream, as this helps cut the tartness of the lime.
- While some recipes call for green food coloring, this isn't necessary at all. By nature, key lime pies are a yellowish hue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key lime juice has a more intense and tangy flavor compared to regular lime juice, which adds a unique twist to the pie.
Yes, it's highly recommended to refrigerate the pie to maintain its freshness and prevent spoilage. It's especially refreshing when served chilled on a hot summer day!
While you can substitute lime juice, keep in mind that it will alter the flavor profile of the pie. For an authentic taste, key lime juice is the way to go.
To make candied lime, simply slice limes into thin rounds, coat them with sugar, and bake them at a low temperature until they become crisp and caramelized.
Storage notes
Wondering how to keep your Kermit's Key Lime Pie fresh? Here are some handy storage tips:
Make Ahead: You can freeze the pie for up to three months, but make sure to omit the whipped cream topping before freezing. You can also freeze key lime juice. Pop it in the freezer in ½ cup quantities, and it will stay fresh for up to a year or more, ready to use whenever you crave a pie.
Storage: In the fridge, your pie will stay fresh for up to three days. Although let's be honest, it probably won't last that long before being devoured!
Substitutions
While Kermit's Key Lime Juice is the star of the show and adds that special touch to the recipe, using regular key lime juice can also yield fantastic results.
If you're pressed for time or simply prefer the convenience of a premade crust, by all means, go for it! While making the crust from scratch can add a certain homemade touch, there's no shame in saving a few minutes by using a store-bought crust.
For a bit of tropical flavor, try using sweetened condensed coconut milk. You'll have the same creamy sweetness, with a hint of coconut goodness.
Variations
Try freezing a slice of key lime pie on a popsicle stick and dipping it in chocolate. You can order these "pie bars" from the Key Lime Shoppe, and they come dipped in dark chocolate and white chocolate.
Key lime pie bars are also an easy alternative to a traditional pie. The recipe is relatively similar, and topping with whipped cream is a must!
Related pie recipes
Our recipe index is a great place to search all My Sweet Precision recipes!
Recipe
Kermit's Key Lime Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Pie Crust Ingredients
- 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Filling Ingredients
- 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 mixing bowl, blend together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until thoroughly combined. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of an 8- or 9-inch pie plate, creating a solid and deliciously spiced crust.
- 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
- The official recipe on the back of Kermit's key lime juice is as follows: "2 14-ounce cans of sweetened condensed milk, six egg yolks, and ½ cup of Kermit's key lime juice. Blend milk and eggs at a low speed until smooth. Add key lime juice and finish blending. Pour into crust, and cook at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. "
- My copycat recipe makes a slightly lighter pie (replacing egg yolks with sour cream). This results in a pie with a more delicate and lighter flavor, which was preferred by our taste testers.
- When it comes to graham cracker crumbs, you have two options. You can easily find them pre-packaged at the store or take matters into your own hands by crushing whole graham crackers in a zip-top bag to create your own homemade crumbs.
- Homemade whipped cream is far superior to store-bought. I highly recommend making some yourself.
Nutrition
So, my fellow baking enthusiasts, get ready to experience the magic of Kermit's Key Lime Pie right in your own kitchen. With its delightful balance of sweetness and tang, it's the perfect dessert to brighten up any occasion. Go ahead, give it a try, and prepare to be blown away by this award-winning recipe!
Randy
Our family loves Kermit's key lime pies. I've been searching for a copycat recipe for a while. I agree... the sour cream lightens up the recipe a bit. Thanks for sharing your own take on the recipe.
Heather
So glad you enjoyed this copycat recipe, Randy!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
Thank you! It's definitely a great summer pie, one of my favorites :)
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!
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 :)
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!
Heather @ Sweet Precision
LOL! Well this one actually IS easy Miss Danielle... I promise :)
Anita Kushwaha
One of my favourites but I have yet to try and make one. :) It looks lovely.
Anita Kushwaha
I'm looking forward to trying it soon! :)
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!