Key Lime Pie Recipe

4.70 from 46 votes

This key lime pie recipe is made even more delicious by adding a coconut component. Key Lime Coconut Pie is perfectly sweet with a nutty, delicious coconut flavor.

Prep Time15

Cook Time55

Chilling Time2

Total Time3 10

Course: Dessert, Pie

Cuisine: American, Floridian

Servings:

Author: Adrianna Adarme

Cost: $10

Equipment

1 (9-inch) pie dish

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

1 cup finely ground graham cracker crumbs (from about 8 crackers)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Key Lime Pie Filling:

1 cup full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated key lime zest (from about 4 key limes)
1/2 cup fresh key lime juice strained (from about 12 key limes)
5 large egg yolks
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Key Lime Pie Topping:

1/4 cup sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes (I used chips)
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions

To Make the Crust:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. To a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and butter; it should feel like wet sand. When thoroughly mixed, add to your 9-inch pie dish. Press the crumbs up the sides and all over the bottom of the dish until you have an even layer of crust.
Transfer to the oven to bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Remove and set aside and allow to cool completely.
To Make the Filling:
Turn the oven down to 325 degrees F. Start this process by scooping out three tablespoons of the coconut cream that's sitting at the top of the can of coconut milk. Transfer this coconut cream to the refrigerator (we’re going to use it as part of the topping!).
Whisk together the remaining coconut cream (if any) and coconut milk together (you can do this in the can). Make sure the clumps aren't super large, some small clumps are ok.
In a large bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, key lime zest, key lime juice, egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk and salt. Again, little clumps are ok, but big clumps, not ok--break them up with a fork if they're throughout.
I found it easiest to add the filling to the pie dish when it was in the oven—no spillage! Place the pie dish with the crust on a baking sheet and transfer to the middle rack of the oven.
Pour in the filling, close the door and allow to bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top is firm to the touch yet still a wobbly. Remove from the oven and cool for about 10 minutes. Transfer it to the fridge so it can set for at least 2 hours. It’s a long time to wait but it’s well worth it! If you can do it overnight, even better! The colder the better.
Since the oven is already hot, we’re going to toast some coconut flakes.
To a small baking dish, add the coconut flakes and allow to toast for about 5 minutes in the oven, until lightly golden brown. Set aside.
To Serve the Key Lime Pie:
Right before serving, make the topping. By now the coconut cream should be very cold. Add the coconut cream and powdered sugar to the bowl of a stand-up mixer with the whisk attachment; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
With the mixer running, pour in about 2 tablespoons of heavy cream (eyeball this measurement) and beat until incorporated. Slowly incorporate the rest of the heavy cream until smooth and medium peaks form, about 2 minutes. Just an FYI, you don't want over-beaten whipped cream so do not walk away!
Pour the whipped cream on top of the pie and spread it around--get artsy with it. Sprinkle the toasted coconut flakes on top and slice and serve.

Notes

Where to buy Key Limes:

If you live in the Los Angeles area, I found my key limes at Gelson's Grocery Store in Los Feliz. They also sell them at Vallarta Market and Smart & Final.

Some Things to Keep in Mind Before You Start:

Before you start, make sure you know that this pie has to set in the fridge for 2 hours before serving or else it'll be a sloppy ol' mess.
Full-fat coconut milk gave me the best flavor and texture (silky smooth!), but lite coconut milk will also work (my first go-around used lite).
If you can't find key limes, you can use bottled key lime juice! For the zest, feel free to use regular lime zest.
Lastly, a question I'll probably get: will this work with regular limes? Yes, absolutely, but I'd increase the zest by about 1/2 tablespoon.

Equipment:

Nutrition