Key lime pie
Florida dessert pie with a tart lime filling and crumbly crust
Key lime pie is a sweet pie from Florida, United States, made with juice from Key limes, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk in a graham cracker crust. It is often topped with meringue or whipped cream, and its filling is yellow due to the color of ripe Key limes. This dessert is closely tied to the Florida Keys and is recognized as the official state pie of Florida.
- Named for the small, aromatic Key limes from the Florida Keys
- Recognized as Florida's official state pie since 2006
- Filling is yellow due to ripe Key limes
- Traditionally made with a graham cracker crust
- Often topped with meringue or whipped cream
What is Key lime pie?
Key lime pie is a dessert pie with a creamy, tangy filling and a crumbly crust. The filling is made by blending juice from Key limes, which are small, yellow, and aromatic, with egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk. The mixture is poured into a crust, usually made from crushed graham crackers, and may be topped with either meringue or whipped cream. The pie's filling is yellow, reflecting the color of ripe Key limes, and it has a bright, citrusy flavor.
Where does Key lime pie come from?
The pie takes its name from the Key limes found in the Florida Keys. While some stories claim it was created in the late 1800s, the earliest confirmed recipes appeared in the 1930s, likely adapted from a lemon pie recipe promoted by a condensed milk company. By the 1950s, it was widely known as a Florida specialty, and in 2006, Florida named it the official state pie. Earlier tales about its invention by a local cook are not supported by historical evidence.
How is Key lime pie made?
To make Key lime pie, juice from Key limes is combined with egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk. This mixture thickens as the acid from the lime juice reacts with the proteins in the eggs and milk. The filling is poured into a graham cracker crust, which can be baked or left unbaked. Some versions are topped with meringue made from whipped egg whites or with whipped cream. Baking is often used to further set the filling and ensure the eggs are safe to eat.
How and when is Key lime pie eaten?
Key lime pie is served as a dessert, often chilled. It can be enjoyed plain or with a topping of meringue or whipped cream. The pie is popular in Florida and especially in the Florida Keys, where it is a staple in local restaurants and homes. It is eaten year-round and is not tied to any particular holiday or festival. Slices are typically served cold, making it a refreshing end to a meal.
Kinds of Key lime pie
While the classic version uses a graham cracker crust, some recipes use a traditional pastry crust or even no crust at all. The topping can vary between meringue, whipped cream, or none. Bottled Key lime juice is often used when fresh limes are unavailable, though purists prefer the fresh juice for its aroma and tartness. The pie may be baked or simply chilled, depending on the recipe.
What Key lime pie means
Key lime pie has become a symbol of Florida, celebrated as its official state pie. It is closely associated with the Florida Keys and is a point of local pride. Efforts have been made to protect the use of Key limes in the pie, though no law requires it. The dessert appears in local festivals, menus, and is a popular treat for both residents and visitors.
Questions people ask about Key lime pie
What is Key lime pie made of?
It is made with juice from Key limes, egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, and a graham cracker crust. Some versions are topped with meringue or whipped cream.
Where does Key lime pie come from?
Key lime pie comes from Florida, United States, and is especially associated with the Florida Keys region.
Why is the filling yellow?
The filling is yellow because ripe Key limes have yellow juice, and the egg yolks in the mixture add to the color.
Is Key lime pie always baked?
Some versions are baked to set the filling and pasteurize the eggs, but the mixture can also thicken without baking due to the reaction between lime juice and the other ingredients.
What makes Key limes different from regular limes?
Key limes are smaller, more aromatic, and have a tart, yellow juice compared to the larger, green Persian limes commonly found in stores.
Good reading and sources
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- In Florida, Debate Over Origins of Key Lime Pie Strikes a NerveFood & Wine, Article
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Key lime pie", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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