Description
A creamy, tangy copycat Cheesecake Factory Key Lime Pie with a buttery graham cracker crust and fluffy whipped topping.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk
- 3/4 cup key lime juice
- 2 tablespoons lime zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 drop green food coloring (optional)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for topping)
- Thin lime slices or extra zest for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt, and melted butter until combined.
- Press mixture into a 9-inch pie dish and bake for 8–10 minutes. Let cool.
- Whisk egg yolks until smooth, then add condensed milk and mix well.
- Stir in key lime juice, zest, vanilla, and optional food coloring.
- Pour filling into cooled crust and bake for 15–18 minutes until slightly set.
- Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Top pie with whipped cream and garnish with lime slices or zest.
- Slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- Chill overnight for best texture.
- Use bottled key lime juice if fresh is unavailable.
- Food coloring is optional and only affects appearance.
- For variation, use vanilla wafer crust instead of graham crackers.
- Add extra zest for stronger citrus flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
