I love easy desserts in the summer. The perfect summer dessert is something cold, sweet, and creamy like this easy frozen key lime pie. It is a refreshing treat that is a nice addition to a weekend cookout, but it's also easy enough for a random Tuesday.
Key lime pie always feels a little "fancy," even when it's simple. If you want to serve something that looks impressive without spending forever in the kitchen, this is the one.
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Why This Key Lime Dessert Works
This pie is basically a creamy key lime filling that gets folded together and frozen - no oven, no stress. The flavor is sweet and tangy (not too sharp), and the texture is light instead of heavy.
It's also one of those desserts that's easy to make ahead, which is exactly what I want when I'm hosting.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
Everything you need is in the recipe card below, but here's the quick idea: whipped cream + sweetened condensed milk + key lime juice ( I use Nellies from Key west) folded together, then poured into a graham cracker crust. I like to garnish with lime slices right before freezing.
Key Lime Juice Options
People always wonder what kind of juice to use:
- Bottled key lime juice is consistent and easy.
- Fresh lime works too, but the flavor varies.
- Quick tip: add zest on top if using regular limes.
How to Make Frozen Key Lime Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk
Start by whipping the heavy cream until it looks like whipped topping - thick, fluffy, and holding its shape. If you lift the whisk, the cream should stand up in soft peaks instead of sliding right back down.
You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer. A stand mixer is faster, but a hand mixer works just fine. The main thing is to stop once it's thick and fluffy. Overwhipped cream can start looking grainy.
Next, add the sweetened condensed milk and fold it in by hand. Folding keeps the filling light.
Then fold in the key lime juice. The mixture will look silky and creamy. Pour it into the graham cracker crust and smooth the top.
If you want to garnish, add lime slices on top. Then cover and freeze overnight (or up to 24 hours) so it sets up nice and firm.
Topping Ideas
You can keep it simple with lime slices, or dress it up a little. A sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs adds nice crunch, and lime zest makes the flavor pop. For parties, I'll sometimes add a whipped cream border right before serving.
Texture Troubleshooting
- If it's too soft, then the cream wasn't whipped enough, or the pie didn't freeze long enough.
- If it's icy, it didn't get enough air when the cream was whipped, or it thawed too long and was then refrozen.
- If it's grainy, that means the cream was overwhipped. It is still edible.
How to Slice It Cleanly
Once it's frozen, cut it with a warm knife (run the knife under hot water, wipe it dry, slice). Repeat between cuts for the cleanest slices.
Make-Ahead and Serving Tips
This is the kind of dessert I like to make the night before. It needs the full freeze time to slice cleanly, and it's one less thing to think about on the day of your get-together.
For serving, let the pie sit out for about 5 minutes so it's easier to cut, then pop it back in the freezer between servings if it's a hot day. If you're transporting it, keep it in a cooler with ice packs and leave it in the pie tin until you're ready to serve.
FAQs For Frozen Key Lime Pie
Yes, you can use a hand mixer to make this pie. A hand mixer is a convenient tool for mixing the filling ingredients such as condensed milk, key lime juice, and whipped cream to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
A mixer helps the recipe achieve it's light and fluffy texture. Be sure to mix at a low speed to avoid overmixing. Enjoy creating this delicious and refreshing dessert with the help of your hand mixer!
To store Key Lime Pie, you can keep it in the fridge to maintain its deliciousness. Just cover it with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors in the fridge. If you want to keep it for a longer period, you can freeze it.
Whenever you're craving a slice of pie, simply thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature. Enjoy your yummy treat whenever the mood strikes!
Yes, you can use a 10-inch pie crust for this pie. The recipe is versatile enough to accommodate both 9-inch and 10-inch pie crusts, ensuring that you can create a delicious pie with either size. So feel free to use what you have available without worrying about the finished product.
Recipes With Lime
If you're in a lime mood, here are a few more favorites:
- How to Make an Easy Key Lime Cheesecake Dip
- Instant Pot Chicken Tacos with Lime
- Gluten Free Lemon Lime Bars
📖 Recipe
Easy Frozen Key Lime Pie
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup key lime juice I use Nellies from Key west
- 1 lime; sliced
- 1 graham cracker pie crust regular not deep dish though deep dish will work as well
Instructions
- Place heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. This can also be done with a hand blender with whisk attachment but will take much longer. Blend for 4 minutes on low speed and adjust speed going up to 6 as it thickens. Once it resembles whipped topping then it's ready.
- Fold in the can of sweetened condensed milk. Fold in key lime juice. Pour into the pie crust.
- Top the ice cream pie with sliced limes. Wash the lid of the pie crust and flip and place on the pie. Press down the metal edging. Freeze pie overnight.
- Once frozen overnight cut with a warm knife and serve.
Notes
- Whip the cream until it looks like whipped topping; underwhipped cream can make the pie softer.
- A deep-dish crust works too, but the pie will be taller.
- For clean slices, warm and wipe the knife between cuts.
Andrea says
This frozen key lime pie is a perfect summer treat! I will be making this often this summer.
Sharon says
This easy frozen key lime pie is a wonderful summer dessert. I love the creamy citrus filling.
Holley says
This Frozen Key Lime Pie is a game changer!!! Whoa! It's the dessert of the summer!!
Beth says
Just looking at this is making me so hungry! Key lime is one of my most favorite pies.
Heather says
Key lime pie is one of my all time favorite desserts! Can't wait to try a frozen version this summer!