If you love a dessert that feels like pure sunshine on a plate, this Deep Dish Key Lime Pie is going to become your new forever favorite. With a thick, buttery graham cracker crust, a tangy-sweet citrus filling that’s wonderfully creamy, and a luscious crown of whipped cream, every bite is like a mini vacation for your taste buds. This deep dish version means every slice is generous, beautifully layered, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to grab a fork. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to brighten up an ordinary day, you’ll adore how the unmistakable flavor of key limes shines in this classic with a twist.

Deep Dish Key Lime Pie Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Deep Dish Key Lime Pie is totally approachable, yet each element has an important role—either contributing that signature citrus punch, a perfect balance of sweetness, or the dreamiest texture. All you need is a trip to the grocery store and a few pantry staples to set yourself up for pie success!

Graham cracker crumbs: The base of our crust, these give a toasty, delicious crunch that pairs perfectly with rich, tangy filling.
Granulated sugar: A touch of sweetness helps the crust caramelize during baking.
Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses note for depth and a hint of chewiness in the crust.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors—don’t skip it!
Ground cinnamon: Brings a whisper of warmth that makes the crust stand out.
Unsalted butter, melted: Holds everything together and makes the crust perfectly rich.
Egg yolks: Essential for a silky, custard-like texture in the filling.
Full-fat sour cream: Makes the filling extra creamy and adds a wonderful tang.
Key lime zest: For intense lime flavor—zest before you juice to get the most out of your limes!
Sweetened condensed milk: The classic base for key lime pie, it brings all the sweet, creamy magic.
Ground ginger (optional): If you love a little spice, this will add a gentle kick to the filling.
Key lime juice: The star ingredient—freshly squeezed is best if you can find real key limes!
Flour: Helps the filling set and makes slicing much easier.
Whipped cream (for serving, optional): Fluffy, light, and the ideal contrast to zippy lime.

How to Make Deep Dish Key Lime Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease your favorite deep 9-inch pie pan, then combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stream in the melted butter and mix everything together with a spatula until the crumbs look like wet sand. Press the mixture into your pan, packing it firmly on the bottom and up the sides. A flat-bottomed measuring cup makes this super easy! Bake the crust for 12 minutes. Once it’s golden and fragrant, let it cool while you work on the filling.

Step 2: Make the Deep Dish Key Lime Pie Filling

In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sour cream, key lime zest, sweetened condensed milk, ground ginger (if using), and a pinch of salt. Gradually whisk in the key lime juice—doing this slowly helps everything combine smoothly and gives the filling its beautifully thick consistency. Finally, gently fold in the flour, which will help the pie slice neatly later. Pour the filling over your prepared crust and smooth the top with a spatula for an even layer.

Step 3: Bake the Deep Dish Key Lime Pie

Pop the pie into your preheated oven and bake for roughly 30 minutes. You want the filling to look set at the edges but still have a gentle jiggle in the center—think of it as a cheerful lime custard! Once baked, place the pie on a cooling rack and let it come to room temperature. For best results, refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours (or up to overnight) to get that classic, creamy texture that makes Deep Dish Key Lime Pie so irresistible.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready to serve, add a generous cloud of whipped cream on top, if you like, then slice into the chilled pie. Each big wedge is the ideal combination of velvety filling and crunchy crust. This is the moment when Deep Dish Key Lime Pie really shines—just watch it disappear!

How to Serve Deep Dish Key Lime Pie

Garnishes

A simple swirl of whipped cream is a classic finish, but you can also scatter a few extra pinches of key lime zest on top for a pop of color and even more citrusy aroma. Add lime slices, candied ginger, or even delicate shavings of white chocolate if you want to get fancy! These finishing touches make your Deep Dish Key Lime Pie look as delicious as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Since Deep Dish Key Lime Pie is rich and tangy, pair it with super light accompaniments. Fresh seasonal berries, a tropical fruit salad, or a scoop of coconut sorbet are all lovely. If you’re serving it after a meal, it’s perfect alongside a mug of hot coffee or a cool glass of sparkling water with a slice of lime.

Creative Ways to Present

Transform your Deep Dish Key Lime Pie into a centerpiece dessert by serving it in individual mini pie dishes for each guest, or use a heart-shaped pan for special occasions. For a fun twist, make pie parfaits by layering crumbled crust and filling in clear glasses—every spoonful is a showstopper! Don’t be afraid to personalize the presentation to suit your gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover leftover Deep Dish Key Lime Pie with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep beautifully for up to four days—if it lasts that long! Just make sure it’s chilled, as the texture is best cold.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze Deep Dish Key Lime Pie! Wrap it tightly in a couple layers of plastic wrap followed by foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. The filling stays creamy and the crust maintains much of its crunch—just avoid adding whipped cream until after thawing.

Reheating

Deep Dish Key Lime Pie should always be served cold, not heated. If you’ve frozen the pie, let it thaw in the fridge before eating. The filling is meant to be cool, silky, and refreshing—never warm!

FAQs

Can I use regular limes if I can’t find key limes?

Absolutely! While key limes have a special tartness and slightly floral aroma, regular Persian limes also make an excellent Deep Dish Key Lime Pie. Try mixing key lime and regular lime juice if you have both.

What’s the best way to zest and juice key limes?

Zest your limes first using a microplane or fine grater, because it’s much easier while the fruit is still whole. For juicing, key limes are tiny, so a handheld citrus squeezer or even rolling the limes under your palm to soften them helps extract every last drop.

Can I make Deep Dish Key Lime Pie in advance for a party?

Definitely! Deep Dish Key Lime Pie is perfect for making ahead. Just bake, cool, and chill at least six hours or up to overnight. Add your whipped cream topping just before serving for the prettiest presentation.

What if my filling seems wobbly after baking?

A little jiggle in the center means your pie is perfect! The filling will continue to set as it cools and chills, resulting in that luxurious, custardy texture everyone loves about Deep Dish Key Lime Pie.

Can I make the crust gluten free?

Yes! Just swap in gluten-free graham cracker crumbs and make sure your flour is gluten free as well. The result is still a decadent, crowd-pleasing Deep Dish Key Lime Pie that everyone can enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Every time I make this Deep Dish Key Lime Pie, it disappears faster than any other dessert on the table. If citrusy treats make you happy, this recipe is pure sunshine you can share. Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice (or two!)—you’ll be so glad you did.