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How to make key lime pie

This gorgeous American-inspired pud couldn't be easier to make! Traditionally made with key limes, a specific variety from the Florida Keys, our easy key lime pie recipe swaps in classic limes, which still lend the desired punchy flavour but are much easier to source. With a simple biscuit base and sweet and citrussy filling, this easy dessert recipe is surprisingly refreshing and makes the perfect after-dinner treat. Don't forget to screenshot the ingredients list at the bottom before you go shopping.

  1. Make the base

    Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. In a large mixing bowl, mix 250g crushed digestive biscuits with 125g melted butter.

    Make the base
  2. Press the crumbs into the tin

    Put the biscuit mixture into a 23cm loose bottomed tart tin. Press into the base and up the sides of the tin. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

    Press the crumbs into the tin
  3. Zest and juice the limes

    Meanwhile, zest 4 limes into a small bowl. Roll each zested lime on a flat surface to help release as much juice as possible, then cut each one in half and juice, adding the juice to the bowl with the zest.

    Zest and juice the limes
  4. Make the filling

    Put 1 x 397g tin condensed milk into a bowl and add 4 large egg yolks (don’t throw away the egg whites – you can use them to make cute rainbow meringues). Using an electric whisk, beat together for 1 minute. Add the lime zest and juice and beat for a further minute.

    Make the filling
  5. Cook the filling

    Pour into the cooked tart tin and return to the oven for a further 15 minutes. Remove and leave to cool. Once it has cooled, chill in the fridge to set completely. This should only take 20 minutes but you can leave it overnight.

    Cook the filling
  6. Finish the pie

    In a bowl, whip 200ml double cream with 2 tbsp icing sugar to soft peaks. Dollop the cream over the key lime pie. Sprinkle over a little more lime zest to serve.

    Key Lime Piefinal

  7. Ingredients

    We've made a handy shopping list so you can get everything you need to make this perfect key lime pie. Don't forget to screenshot before you go shopping!

    250g crushed digestive biscuits
    125g melted butter
    4 limes
    1 x 397g tin condensed milk
    4 egg yolks
    200ml double cream
    2 tbsp icing sugar

    Serves 10

    Each serving contains

    • Energy

      2015kj
      488kcal
      24%
    • Fat

      33g 48%
    • Saturates

      18g 91%
    • Sugars

      30g 33%
    • Salt

      0.5g 9%

    of the reference intake
    Carbohydrate 41.6g Protein 6.9g Fibre 1g