• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Grumpy's Honeybunch
  • HoneyB's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Low Carb Keto Recipes
  • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Videos
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Meal Plans
    • Shop
    • Contact
    • Videos
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Dessert Recipes » Pie Recipes

    Paula Deens Key Lime Pie

    Published: May 22, 2022 Last updated: Jan 17, 2023 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Sharing is caring!

    276 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    This Key Lime Pie is Paula Deen's recipe with the addition of a touch of cinnamon in the pie crust. This frozen pie is one of the best, tangy citrus desserts and is perfect for hot summer days!
    Featured image for recipe card for key lime pie.
    Pin image for Key Lime Pie.

    Paula Deens Key Lime Pie recipe has a baked sweetened graham cracker crust with just a tiny hint of cinnamon and a sweet and tangy filling packed with the juice of tangy key limes, heavy cream, and cream. This pie makes the perfect summertime dessert and is delicious when frozen!

    Featured image for recipe card for key lime pie.

    I am a fan southern cooking, and Paula Deen's key lime pie recipe is one I have loved for a long time now. I love this recipe is entirely from scratch and sweetened with sugar and sweetened condensed milk, making for a wonderful creamy dessert.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love it
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🥫Storage
    • 📖 Variations
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🙋 FAQ's
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 🍽 Serve with...
    • 🏫 The last word
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️ Why you'll love it

    Sweet and Tangy: it is the perfect sweet tart dessert ending.

    Packed with lime flavor: citrus lovers will love the sweet and bitter tang in the pie filling.

    Make ahead: It's the perfect make ahead dessert!

    🥘 Ingredients

    Crust Ingredients:

    Graham crackers, brown sugar, and butter make up the pie crust for this recipe and is the only part that is baked.

    Cinnamon, just a touch for a hint of flavor added to the crust.

    Pie Filling Ingredients:

    Key limes, for the juice, zest, and garnish

    Heavy cream, builds body and adds the creamy factor

    Half and half, adds bulk to the pie

    Sugar and sweetened condensed milk, sweetens and adds creaminess.

    Ingredients for Paula Deens Key Lime Pie recipe.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
    2. Transfer the graham cracker mixture to the tart pan and press mixture tightly to fit the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
    3. In a small bowl, combine the and key lime zest and sugar, working the zest into the sugar with your fingers, to infuse the oils from the zest
    4. In a large bowl using a hand mixer at medium speed, beat the heavy cream until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Gradually add ½ cup sugar mixture and continue to mix for about 3 minutes on high speed, until soft peaks form.
    5. Slowly add the sweetened condensed milk to the heavy cream mixture, mixing constantly, until thoroughly combined.
    6. Gradually mix in the fresh key lime juice into the cream mixture until thoroughly combined.
    7. Add the half and half and mix 5 minutes longer, to build body and incorporate air into the filling mixture.
    8. Transfer the filling mixture to the cooled graham cracker crust. Cover and freeze at least 6 hours.
    One half teaspoon of cinnamon being added to the graham cracker crust.

    🥄 Equipment

    Electric mixer

    Large bowl

    Medium bowl

    Rubber scraper

    Tart pan with removable bottom

    🥫Storage

    Store any leftover Key Lime Pie in the freezer up to 2 weeks.

    Pressing the pie crust into the tart pan.

    📖 Variations

    • Use a springform pan in place of the tart pan. Be sure to press the graham cracker crust up the sides of a 10-inch spring form pan to create an edge for the filling.
    • Use cool whip for the garnish portion of the key lime pie and decorate with key lime slices and white chocolate curls.
    • Substitute lemon juice or regular lime juice for the key lime juice.
    • Use ½ cup of sour cream in place of ½ cup of half and half to add some extra tang.
    • Substitute whole milk for the half and half.

    💭 Tips

    • Make sure all the ingredients for the pie filling are cold when using them.
    • Be sure that you let the crust cool completely before adding the pie filling, if it is not cold, it will cause the pie filling to flop.
    • Substitute 8 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature for the heavy cream. Be sure to whip the cream cheese until it is fluffy and light.
    Overhead shot of Paula Deens Key Lime Pie Recipe.

    🙋 FAQ's

    Can you use regular limes to make this key lime pie?

    Yes, you can use regular limes to make this key lime pie. The flavor will be a little different but delicious.

    📚 Related Recipes

    This Fresh Strawberry Pie is perfect for when fresh berries are in season.

    This Oil Pie Crust if perfect for all your pie making needs!

    This Pumpkin Pie with Condensed Milk is delicious year round!

    Chili Lime Shrimp makes a great appetizer or main dish and has that great lime flavor.

    🍽 Serve with...

    Serve this key lime pie recipe with dollops of whipped cream around the edges, topped with lime wedges, lime zest, and white chocolate curls.

    Whole pie on a green cake stand.

    🏫 The last word

    This is Paula Deen's key lime pie recipe, whom I consider the queen of southern cooking, and it is the best recipe I have made!

    Key limes are more readily available than they used to be and can usually be found in any grocery store when in season.

    Prep and cook time combined is only 30 minutes, however be sure to at least freeze the pie for 6 hours before serving. Total time before this recipe is ready is 6 hours and 30 minutes, however I recommend making this the day before to allow the flavors to blend.

    Don't be afraid that this recipe has flopped if the filling seems runny. I recommend whipping it with the hand mixer at least 5-10 minutes after all the ingredients have incorporated to build body. If the filling were to be stiff, it would not fit into the tart pan as it would have too much volume. Just pour the filling into the crust and freeze it, knowing that it will be delicious when its time to enjoy!

    Paula Deen's Key Lime Pie

    Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products!

    When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    Featured image for recipe card for key lime pie.

    Key Lime Pie

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    This Key Lime Pie is Paula Deen's recipe with the addition of a touch of cinnamon in the pie crust. This frozen pie is one of the best, tangy citrus desserts and is perfect for hot summer days!
    4.20 from 41 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Freeze time 6 hrs
    Total Time 6 hrs 25 mins
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 588 kcal

    Equipment

    • Tart pan
    • rubber spatula
    • Electric mixer
    • mixing bowls

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    For the graham cracker crust

    • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar , firmly packed
    • ½ cup unsalted butter , melted
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

    For the key lime pie filling

    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • 12 ounces sweetened condensed milk
    • ¾ cup key lime juice , freshly squeezed
    • 1 tablespoon key lime zest
    • 2 cups half and half
    • fresh key lime slices , (optional)
    • whipped cream , (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.
    • Transfer the graham cracker mixture to the tart pan and press mixture tightly to fit the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
    • In a small bowl, combine the and key lime zest and sugar, working the zest into the sugar with your fingers, to infuse the oils from the zestIn a large bowl using a hand mixer at medium speed, beat the heavy cream until it begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Gradually add ½ cup sugar mixture and continue to mix for about 3 minutes on high speed, until soft peaks form.
    • Gradually add the sweetened condensed milk to the heavy cream mixture, mixing constantly, until thoroughly combined.
    • Gradually mix in the fresh key lime juice into the cream mixture until thoroughly combined. Add the half and half and mix 5 minutes longer, to build body and incorporate air into the filling mixture.
    • Transfer the filling mixture to the cooled graham cracker crust. Cover and freeze at least 6 hours.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 588kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 8gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 241mgPotassium: 344mgFiber: 1gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 1132IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 236mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Key Lime Pie, Paula Deens Key Lime Pie
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

    More Pie Recipes

    • Featured image for Southern sweet potato pie.
      Southern Sweet Potato Pie
    • Pumpkin Pie with Condensed Milk
    • Pumpkin Hand Pies - Air Fryer Recipe
    • Blueberry Almond Cream Tart
      Blueberry Tart with Almond Cream Filling

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, I'm a mom, grandmother, and cookbook author for HoneyB's Kitchen who started blogging family recipes in 2007 for.... 

    More about me →

    Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
    Southern Sweet Potato Pie

    Trending Recipes

    • Featured image for keto chicken nuggets.
    • Featured Image for air fryer roast beef.
    • Featured image for hot fireball apple cider.
    • Featured image for crockpot venison stew..
    • Featured image for Mom's Rhubarb Sauce.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Privacy Policy

    Terms and Conditions of Use

    Accessibility Statement

    As Featured In:

    Contact Shelby

    Contact

    Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

    276 shares