12 Cool & Creamy Key Lime Pie Recipes

January 10, 2014
Jennifer Davick

Key lime pie has been a Southern favorite dessert for more than a century, and anyone who can’t resist that cool, creamy texture knows why. A true Key lime pie shouldn’t be bright, faux green but instead a soft yellow. Many recipes are nestled in a buttery cracker, graham cracker, or even vanilla wafer crust—the crunchy exterior is up to your taste. But the absolute essential of a Key lime pie is, unsurprisingly, that it’s made with actual Key limes. Over the years, our Test Kitchen has reimagined the classic into icebox pies, mini pies, and even cupcakes, but you simply can’t beat our most popular, the Heavenly Key Lime Pie. These rich and tangy key lime pies are the perfect citrus treat for guests. Take your dinner party on a tropical vacation with every one of our Key lime pie recipes. 

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Mini Coconut-Key Lime Pies

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Mini Coconut-Key Lime Pies

How pretty are these for a ladies’ luncheon or shower?

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Heavenly Key Lime Pie Recipe

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Heavenly Key Lime Pie

This first slice of tropical heaven is our classic go-to when we're craving Key lime pie. 

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Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipped Cream

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Key Lime Slab Pie with Strawberry Whipping Cream

All of the flavors of the classic with the added surprise of pink strawberry-infused whipped cream topping.

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Key Lime Tassies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Key Lime Tassies

These mini Key Lime Pie recipe has a high yield, so it’s the perfect grab-and-go dessert for your biggest parties.

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Praline Key Lime Pie

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Praline Key Lime Pie

This chilled, creamy pie is the dessert equivalent of a swimming hole—so refreshing you can't help but dive in. Garnish with lime slices and lime zest curls, if desired.

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Key Lime Sheet Cake

Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Margaret Dickey, Prop Styling: Kay E Clarke

Recipe: Key Lime Sheet Cake

Want to feed a crowd without baking multiple pies? Take the classic flavor and turn it into a sheet cake. 

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Key Lime-Buttermilk Icebox Pie with Baked Buttery Cracker Crust

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Key Lime-Buttermilk Icebox Pie with Baked Buttery Cracker Crust

Get relief from the summer heat with a refreshing icebox pie.

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Tequila-Key Lime Meringue Pie

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Tequila-Key Lime Meringue Pie

A luscious Key lime custard gets its kick from a splash of tequila.

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Key Lime Cake

Sarah Epperson

Recipe: Key Lime Cake

This tangy, creamy, colorful lime-flavored treat offers layers of flavor for a unique twist on the traditional pie. 

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Key "Light" Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Key "Light" Pie

If you love Key lime pie, you'll hear angels sing (Jimmy Buffett tunes) when you taste how rich this version is without all the fat!

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Chocolate-Key Lime Cupcake Pies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Recipe: Chocolate-Key Lime Cupcake Pies

This cupcake version of a chocolate-key lime pie is an ideal pick-up dessert for entertaining. Make a crumb crust with chocolate wafers and top with a sweet cream cheese mixture flavored with fresh key lime juice.

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Key Lime Ice-Cream Pie

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Key Lime Ice-Cream Pie

Start with our base recipe of Avocado-Key Lime Pie Ice Cream and layer on the flavor to create this dreamy frozen pie.

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