Summertime is the perfect season for no bake desserts. This recipe for key lime pie only requires a few ingredients and is ready to chill in less than 30 minutes.
The creamy, citrusy filling is refreshing and perfect for hot summer days. Best of all, there's no need to turn on the oven!
And if you're not a fan of graham pie crust, do a blind bake (pie shell baked with no filling in it) regular pie crust using our Marie Callenders Pie Crust recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
If you're looking for an easy dessert that doesn't require baking, this no bake key lime pie is perfect. If you're feeling lazy (or just too hot to turn on the oven), this is the perfect dessert. It will really make an impact at a pot luck or outdoor picnic!
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Ingredients
This recipe for no bake key lime pie is simple to follow and doesn't require any baking skills. It's based on a classic recipe, but we've made a few tweaks to give it a triple dose of lime flavor!
- One Box of Trader Joe's Key Lime Tea Cookies
- Graham Crackers
- Butter, unsalted
- Cream Cheese
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Lime Juice
- Lime Zest
- Granulated Sugar
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a No Bake Key Lime Pie
Zest the lime first, then roll it on the counter to loosen up the juice. Cut the lime in half and juice it. Set the juice aside.
This crust uses both Key Lime Tea Cookies, which are shortbread, and regular Graham crackers. Crush the Key Lime Tea cookies first, but they will not be enough. Crush enough Graham cracker to make up the difference.
Step 1. Prepare the Crumb Crust
Use a zester to zest the limes. Then roll them on the counter to loosen up the juice, cut them in half, and juice them. Set the juice & zest aside for the pie filling.
Melt the butter and mix it into the combined Key Lime Tea Cookie crumbs and Graham Cracker crumbs. Press into the pie pan and refrigerate.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Mix the Filling
Mix the filling ingredients in a bowl with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Pour the filling mixture into the prepared crumb crust. Spread the filling out evenly and refrigerate.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Top with Whip Cream
I use an aerosol whip cream dispenser, and since the pie is already quite sweet, I use no sugar or vanilla in my whip cream for this pie. You can Ready Whip, Cool Whip, or use a mixer and make your own whip cream.
I've a link to the aerosol whip cream dispenser I use in the Equipment section of this post. I love it!
Make stars with the whip cream all along the rim. Work your way in toward the center with whip cream stars.
Cut a lime in half and slice some paper thin slices of lime. Pat them dry with a paper towel, and decorate the pie top with them.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
This no bake key lime pie is quite rich, and also quite delicious. It would be a fabulous final presentation to a special family dinner, backyard grill, or any gathering. I brought mine to a family grill event, and not a slice remained.
If you are looking for great main dish recipes to serve this with, look at our Sous Vide Ribeye Steak, Pan Grilled Steakhouse Chops, or the Lime Marinated Flat Iron Steak.
Variations
You can use this no bake key lime pie recipe to make a Lemon version! Just substitute the Lime Cookies for Lemon Coolers, the lime juice for lemon juice, and the lime zest for lemon zest. You will then have a fabulous No Bake Lemon Pie!
Equipment
You will love the ease of having your own whip cream dispenser. It means whip cream anytime. You have none of the mess of whipping cream, and do so much more than just top pies.
Storage
This pie freezes well, and stores for up to a week in the refrigerator. If you add a stabilizer to the whip cream, it will last also, otherwise the whip cream will deflate within a few hours.
Tips for Success
- Use your food processor to quickly make your crumbs.
- A simple stabilizer for whip cream is 2 tablespoon of sour cream per 8 oz of heavy cream. Blend it into the whip cream before pouring it into the aerosol dispenser or whipping it with a hand mixer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can, you would need about 1 ½ boxes.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
No Bake Key Lime Pie
Ingredients
For the Crumb Crust
- 10 oz Trader Joe's Key Lime Tea Cookies crushed in food processor with the graham crackers
- 5 oz Graham Crackers 16 squares
- 8 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
For the Key Lime Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- ½ cup lime juice fresh squeezed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a food processor combine the Trader Joe Key Lime Tea Cookies and the Graham Crackers. Pulse until the crumbs are small. Transfer the crumbs to a mixing bowl.10 oz Trader Joe's Key Lime Tea Cookies, 5 oz Graham Crackers
- Add the melted butter. It should be warm melted butter, not hot. Mix into the crumbs evenly and then press the crumb mixture into the pie pan to cover the sides and bottom. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.8 tablespoon melted unsalted butter
- Combine the cream cheese, condensed milk, sugar, lime juice, and lime zest into a large mixing bowl. Blend with a hand mixer (or a food processor) until smooth and creamy. Pour into the prepared crumb pie shell. Refrigerate for 4 hours.16 oz cream cheese, 8 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 tablespoon lime zest, ½ cup lime juice, ¼ cup granulated sugar
- Garnish with whip cream, Cool Whip, or Ready Whip stars. Slice a few thin slices of lime, dry them off, and decorate the pie top with them. Serve!
Notes
- Use your food processor to quickly make your crumbs.
- A simple stabilizer for whip cream is 2 tablespoon of sour cream per 8 oz of heavy cream. Blend it into the whip cream before pouring it into the aerosol dispenser or whipping it with a hand mixer.
Nutrition
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